Grenoble Institute of Technology (INPG), Lab. 3SR, France

Laboratory 3SR (Soils, Solids, Structures, Risks) is one of the leading European research group in geomechanics. The laboratory gathers the best skills of the universities in Grenoble in the field of geomechanics, civil engineering and associated risk research as well as mechanical and multiphysics couplings in multiphase media. The development and applications of numerical models considering the discrete nature of materials is a key research topic.

Competencies and facilities

Lab. 3SR has a long standing experience in hosting foreign researchers and in European networking (founding member of ALERT). There are 41 PhD students and 10 post-docs in the lab. The majority of researchers have also teaching assignments in INPG or Grenoble University of Science. A variety of software suits are available, either open source (http://yade-dem.org), developped internaly (FEMLIP), or commercial (PFC3d, FLAC3d, ABAQUS, PLAXIS, Comsol). Moreover, researchers at INPG will benefit from the computing facilities such as the discrete element code YADE for granular materials and fractured cliffs. The laboratory hosts an Oracle Grid Engine for distributed parallel computing. Furthermore, we also host advanced testing facilities, including a X-ray microtomograph and a prototype shear testing device. 

Key person

Prof. Félix DARVE is president of ALERT and editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics. He has published over 160 papers in peer reviewed journals. He is renowned for his pioneer work on constitutive modelling and multiscale modelling of granular materials. Prof. Darve has organised numerous high level scientific workshops and conferences. The annual ALERT workshop and the subsequent Doctoral School attracts hundreds young researchers every to the small Alpine village Aussois near Grenoble.