The laboratory
The GeoEND team is a research unit of the GERS department in the Gustave Eiffel University. It is located in Nantes (West of France).
Objectives, Methodology
The GéoEND team develops non-intrusive investigation methodologies for assessing the internal structure and health condition of infrastructures and underground environments related to human activities. The research activities focus on two main areas: first, geophysical subsurface inspection and monitoring methods (Géo-), in relation to the critical zone and anthropogenic structures; and second, non-destructive evaluation and testing methods (-END) as well as health monitoring applied to civil engineering infrastructures.
The methodological and instrumental developments carried out by GéoEND aim to enhance the understanding and modeling of electromagnetic (EM) fields and mechanical waves interacting with environments and structures. The adopted approach starts from societal or industrial needs, identifies scientific challenges, defines and conducts numerical and physical modeling actions in controlled environments, and finally tests and validates methodological and technical inspection approaches on-site under real conditions.
To achieve this, the team relies on specialized equipment, some of which are unique, as well as numerous collaborations (within Université Gustave Eiffel, at regional, national, and international levels, involving both public and private institutions) made possible by the team’s cross-disciplinary expertise and activities. Based on identified societal and/or industrial needs, the applied research targets of GéoEND naturally align with the objectives of Université Gustave Eiffel: enhancing infrastructure resilience and protecting users and territories. More broadly, the scientific challenges addressed contribute to current societal issues in the context of climate change, following various key directions outlined below, in line with the university’s 2023-2025 objectives and performance contract (COP).
Scientific project
The scientific project of the laboratory is structured around three main axes:
- A scientific axis, focusing on the study and understanding of the propagation and diffusion of electromagnetic (EM) fields and mechanical waves.
- A methodological axis, dedicated to the development and implementation of methodological tools for conducting research.
- An applicative axis, highlighting the societal needs to be addressed by the research activities, which are further categorized by types of territories.
These axes are developed through the following themes (for more information, see the research page).
