Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels




Nos tutelles

CNRS

Nos partenaires

Rechercher


Accueil > Emplois, Stages, Thèses > Bourses de thèses - financement acquis

PhD proposal : Fluid phase change simulation in porous and cracked media based on multimodal full-field measurements

Project summary

The performance of reinforced concrete containment structures is analysed with respect to their ability to prevent a fluid from percolating through the wall. For concrete structures, the leaks break down into two flows, one of which passes through the porous networks of the cement matrix and the other passes through eventual cracks. Conventionally, the fluids used to test the tightness are either liquid water or a neutral gas. In reality, the percolating fluid could be more complex, consists of a mixture of air and hot water vapour.

The present project aims to pursue towards the quantitative experimental analysis and numerical multi-physics modelling of the two-phase (hot steam and air) flow and condensation processes during injection into fractured concrete material. Indeed, first ever experiments of in-situ quantitative visualisation of vapour condensation in cracked concrete through high-speed neutron radiography have been performed revealing a complex interplay between pressure and sorption flow phenomena and a significantly different behaviour between dry and saturated sample.

Since samples with intermediate saturation states cannot be easily obtained, this project will rely on numerical simulations of fluids in solids in order to investigate the intermediate saturation rate effects (after a throughout calibration of multi-physics models on the experimental results obtained in extreme cases. The global aim is to establish a direct physical link between the material microstructural content and the pre-inserted fracture network with fluid flow that will allow reaching a step further in well predicting the structural reliability and durability concrete structures.

Location and practical aspects

The successful applicant will be hosted by the laboratory 3SR in the “RV” team. He/she will work under the supervision of Dr Briffaut Matthieu from Laboratory 3SR and Dr Sechet Philippe form Laboratory LEGI. The gross salary will be 1787 euros/months, equivalent to a net salary of 1414 euros/month.

Qualifications of the applicant

Strong fluid mechanics and/or background on numerical simulation for mechanics (solid or fluid) is expected but profiles based on geophysics or material science related to transfer in porous media can also been regarded with interest.

Image analysis and python (or C++) programming can be a plus.

Applications

Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to matthieu.briffaut(A)3sr-grenoble.fr , Philippe Sechet , bratislav.lukic(A)esrf.fr .

Deadline for the application : 20 June 2021