05 — Research

Mechanics and numerical modelling

Research into how underground structures respond to mechanical waves.

My PhD examined how tunnels and cavities respond to mechanical waves, including seismic waves. I developed models and computational methods to study stresses and displacements in these structures and the surrounding ground.

The work brings together continuum mechanics, wave propagation, mathematical modelling and numerical methods. It strengthened habits I continue to use in software engineering: stating assumptions, choosing an appropriate method and checking which conclusions the results support.

01PhD in mechanics

025 works: article, thesis and conference papers

03International journals & conferences

Publications

Published work

2022Journal

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering · March 2022

Stress and displacement fields around an arbitrary shape tunnel surrounded by a multilayered elastic medium subjected to harmonic waves under plane strain conditions

This paper examines stresses and displacements around an arbitrarily shaped tunnel subjected to harmonic waves in a layered elastic medium. It develops a semi-analytical method to represent the geometry and calculate the response of the tunnel and surrounding ground.

Research themes

Elastodynamics
Wave propagation
Earthquake engineering
Underground structures

Skills applied

— Mathematical modelling
— Semi-analytical methods
— Frequency-domain analysis
— Scientific programming

View publication ↗

2021Thesis

Thèse de doctorat · September 2021

Réponse dynamique d’un tunnel enterré soumis à des ondes mécaniques

My doctoral thesis studies how a buried tunnel responds to mechanical waves. It brings together mathematical models and computational methods for evaluating stresses and displacements in the tunnel and surrounding ground, helping to understand the behaviour of these structures.

Research themes

Numerical modelling
Continuum mechanics
Soil–structure interaction
Dynamics

Skills applied

— Doctoral research
— Advanced numerical modelling
— Complex problem solving
— Scientific communication

View publication ↗

2019Conference

Congrès Français de Mécanique · August 2019

Réponse dynamique d’une cavité circulaire double dans un milieu rocheux infini

Two neighbouring circular cavities each alter the waves reaching the other. This study examines their coupled dynamic response in an infinite rock medium to understand how this interaction affects closely spaced galleries or tunnels.

Research themes

Elastodynamics
Wave diffraction
Underground cavities

Skills applied

— Analytical modelling
— Dynamic analysis
— Physical interpretation

View publication ↗

2019Conference

Eccomas Procedia · June 2019

Transient response of a tunnel embedded in a heterogeneous elastic full space

This study follows a tunnel’s response over time as a wave travels through the surrounding ground. The model accounts for a heterogeneous elastic medium whose properties vary spatially.

Research themes

Transient regime
Heterogeneous media
Wave propagation

Skills applied

— Time-domain analysis
— Numerical modelling
— Heterogeneous media

View publication ↗

2019Conference

E3S Web of Conferences · February 2019

Contribution to the modeling and the mechanical characterization of the subsoil in the LSBB environment

This work examines the mechanical properties of the ground at the Low Noise Underground Laboratory (LSBB). It combines modelling and measurements to describe the ground properties needed to study wave propagation around the galleries.

Research themes

Mechanical characterisation
Geophysics
LSBB

Skills applied

— Modelling & measurement
— Experimental validation
— Data analysis

View publication ↗

Approach

How research informs my work

Research taught me to work through open questions while keeping clear criteria for checking the results. These habits help me design software and explain the reasoning behind technical decisions.

01Problem analysisBreak a question down, identify what is unknown and define what needs to be solved.

02ModellingRepresent the relevant parts of a problem and state the limits of the model.

03Algorithmic analysisCompare computational cost, accuracy and convergence when choosing a method.

04Checking resultsMake assumptions explicit and calculations reproducible and verifiable.

05Data handlingStructure data, check its quality and interpret the results.

06Experimental validationCompare calculations with measurements, examining discrepancies and uncertainties.

07Scientific communicationExplain methods and results to people from different disciplines.

08Sustained project workOrganise independent work, document progress and carry analyses through to completion.

Contact

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