Cerema possesses a geomechanics platform that is home to a selection of skills and resources dedicated to analysing and understanding the physical, mechanical, and cyclical behaviour of soils, soft rocks, and other materials. Their behaviour is studied with regard to their durability, assessing whether they could be used in major projects, and civil engineering in particular.
Our platform at your service
The platform is used to develop knowledge and provide a detailed characterisation, in lab conditions, of the mechanical behaviour of soils and soft rocks and other materials, as well as their cyclical properties.
Tailored digital modelling can also be conducted, in particular to analyse their durability.
The subjects of our research are mainly compacted soils (embankments, dikes, earth dams), geotechnical structures, rocky outcrops, and different civil engineering structures in general. The approaches used can be adapted to other materials.
The scientific and technical team, which takes part in and coordinates national and international research projects, can also get involved at various levels, depending on the needs in question:
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development of an optical sensor to assess the sustainability of aeronautical pavements
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development of innovative experimental systems as part of partnership projects
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theoretical and digital modelling, to better understand the materials’ mechanical, cyclical, and physio-chemical behaviours
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systems for use in engineering: test methods, tools, guides, training
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testing and assessment
High-end equipment and team at your disposal
A wide range of materials
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The physical characterisation of soils using traditional methods: Atterberg limits, granulometry through screening, blue testing, pycnometer, resistance to simple compression, indirect traction, Poisson ratios and modules for rocks, etc.
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Characterising granulometry by laser diffraction.
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Preparing samples: cutting core samples taken on-site (soils and soft rocks).
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Semi-static compacting using reconstituted soils (50mm, 76mm, and 150mm diameter); consolidometer, pluviation, freezing.
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Mechanical characterisation of soils and soft rocks: triaxial cells with permeability readings, differential pressure measurements, for CU, CD, and UU testing (50mm, 76mm, and 150mm diameter); special buildings for triaxial testing of hard soils soft rocks (HSSR).
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Analysis of shrinkage/swelling dynamic: K0 oedometers, simplified swelling and shrinkage tests (50mm or 60mm diameter).
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Characterisation of the cyclical behaviour of soils, with local instrumentation to characterise its susceptibility to liquefying (50mm or 76mm diameter).
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Piezoelectric sensor and resonating columns for measuring the speed of elastic waves (compression, shear) in soils.
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Major human and digital resources
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A team of researchers, engineers and technicians making a practical contribution to developing knowledge in the field of measuring soil and soft rock mechanics, and improving existing simulation models.
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Development of dedicated digital tools, for both analysing the behaviour of soils subjected to static or dynamic pressure, as well as the modelling of physio-chemical processes.
Our clients
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Laboratory demonstrations of the strength of Géocorail®, a natural concrete (Géocorail)
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Laboratory characterisation of dike resistance to earthquakes: monotone and cyclical triaxial tests (EDF)
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Laboratory mechanical characterisation of the site for the A8 Cannes - La Bocca motorway interchange: monotone and cyclical triaxial testing and oedometric testing (Escota)
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Characterisation of mechanical resistance and creep of expanded polystyrene for the construction of lightweight access embankments for OA1 on RD61 (Hérault departmental council)
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Mechanical characterisation of the site’s marls for the development of a dam in Tabellout (Algeria): high pressure triaxial tests, oedometric swelling tests at successive levels, KO oedometric swelling tests, uniaxial compression tests, Franklin tests (EDF)
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Mechanical testing of cover materials (treated loams) for the low-level radioactive waste storage facility in Manche (La Hague): monotone triaxial tests, oedometric tests (WSP France)
Participation in national research projects
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ANR ASIRIplus SDS: improving and reinforcing soils using rigid inclusions
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PN C2ROP: falling rocks, Rockfall Risks and Protective Structures
PhD theses
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C. Villarraga-Diaz, Impact of thermal cycles on rock instability
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