Numerical Modeling of the Response of Rockfall Barriers Under Combined Static-Dynamic Loading

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is seeking a researcher to join the ECRINS team at UMR IGE. This project focuses on the complex mechanical response of flexible rockfall protection nets, which are critical for mountain safety. The successful candidate will utilize the Generock discrete-element code to simulate how these structures behave when subjected to both static loads from material deposits and dynamic impact loads from falling rocks. The role involves model adaptation, validation against full-scale test data, and defining safety thresholds for structural integrity.

• Adapt the Generock discrete-element code to incorporate static loading conditions.
• Validate numerical models using existing data from full-scale impact tests.
• Perform parametric studies to evaluate structural response under varying static load distributions.
• Analyze simulation results based on structural and functional criteria such as force transmission and energy dissipation.
• Establish acceptability thresholds for static loads on flexible protection screens.
• Draft a scientific article for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.