Investigation of the coupled processes governing the mechanical, hydraulic and transport properties of geomaterials under complex environmental conditions, with applications to deep geological repositories and energy-related subsurface engineering.

Understanding the interactions between pore fluids and the solid skeleton in low-permeability & ultra-low-permeability porous materials, including claystones, cement-based materials and tight rocks. The research investigates coupled hydro-mechanical and thermo-hydro-mechanical processes controlling fluid transport, permeability evolution and mechanical behaviour under complex loading conditions.

Development and implementation of state-of-the-art experimental approaches for micromechanical analysis of material behaviour. Advanced characterization techniques (micro-CT, SEM, etc.) and image-processing approaches are combined with THMC experiments to investigate investigate local mechanical states, deformation and damage mechanisms, as well as characteristic scales governing material heterogeneity.