PhD Researcher in Civil Engineering: Compressed Earth Brick Materials and Building Performance

This PhD position at the Institut de Recherche en Génie Civil et Mécanique (GeM) focuses on advancing sustainable construction through the characterization and modeling of compressed earth bricks (BTC) made from local soils in tropical regions. The research integrates experimental and numerical approaches, leveraging machine learning and EnergyPlus simulations to predict material performance and building thermal behavior. The project aligns with broader goals of reducing material imports to La Réunion while addressing housing crises through innovative, locally sourced solutions. The successful candidate will collaborate across two laboratories, conducting fieldwork, data analysis, and interdisciplinary modeling to deliver actionable insights for sustainable construction practices.

• Develop a structured database linking soil properties, formulation parameters, and performance metrics of compressed earth bricks (BTC) using experimental and literature data.
• Apply machine learning techniques (supervised/unsupervised learning, generative models) to predict BTC properties based on soil composition and stabilizers.
• Integrate BTC properties into EnergyPlus simulations to model hygrothermal behavior of buildings under varying tropical climates (coastal, temperate, and high-altitude zones).
• Conduct sensitivity analyses and multi-objective optimizations to improve model robustness and applicability across different environmental contexts.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at international conferences.
• Collaborate with researchers at two laboratories (GeM in Nantes and PIMENT in La Réunion) to ensure interdisciplinary integration of experimental and numerical work.