{"id":7708,"date":"2025-02-18T14:24:34","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T13:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=7708"},"modified":"2025-02-18T14:24:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T13:24:35","slug":"studying-frozen-soils-between-mri-and-numerical-modeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/studying-frozen-soils-between-mri-and-numerical-modeling\/","title":{"rendered":"Studying frozen soils: between MRI and numerical modeling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"Permafrost\"\/<\/a>
Permafrost. Credit : Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Christelle Tabbiche and Maria Camila Olarte Garzon, PhD students at the Navier Laboratory as part of the REFROZEN project in partnership with Aachen University (RWTH) in Germany, are studying these phenomena from two complementary points of view: in-laboratory experimentation and digital modeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the background to your research projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche :<\/strong> Our theses focus on frozen soils, called permafrost. These are soils exposed to a temperature below 0\u00b0C for at least two consecutive years. They contain water which, under the influence of negative temperatures, freezes and causes an increase in their volume. This expansion phenomenon can be amplified by water migration 1<\/a><\/sup> \u2013 particularly in the presence of a water table or ice lenses 2<\/a><\/sup>. With climate change, soils will be increasingly exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. This ice will melt and cause disruptions in soils, impacting infrastructure, such as the foundations of buildings and roads. Our objective is therefore to study and better understand this phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are your respective research projects contributing to more comprehensive understanding of the processes that affect the stability of frozen soils under changing climate conditions?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christelle Tabbiche\u00a0: <\/strong>My approach consists of studying interaction between ice and soil particles on a microscopic and macroscopic scale. To visualize and understand these phenomena, I use advanced imaging techniques. On a macroscopic scale, I essentially use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), similar to medical imaging. In our case, the apparatus is configured vertically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my experiments, I use a 100mm-diameter, 100mm-high water-saturated soil sample – like when a water table is located just below the frozen soil. To reproduce conditions similar to a depth of one meter, I generate a homogenous temperature of approx. 2\u00b0C around the sample and negative temperatures on the surface, between -5 or -6\u00b0C. For the duration of the freezing process, I scan to monitor local water movement in the soil and observe its transformation into ice. It is a unique experiment, which enables the visualization of phenomena that had never been directly observed to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also monitor soil expansion using a piston. During freezing, I have been able to observe upward expansion of 3 millimeters. This allows me to monitor the progression of the freezing front (the boundary between frozen and non-frozen zones of the soil) and analyze the water\u2019s behavior along its trajectory. These observations help me to better understand how soil absorbs water, and in what quantity, even when it is completely frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a microscopic scale, I use an X-ray microtomograph<\/a>. A triaxial cell, placed directly in the apparatus, permits the application of an axial force via pressure on my sample. The objective is to analyze the shearing behavior of a frozen 12mm-diameter, 24mm-high sample under the influence of these mechanical loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my thesis, I am principally working with digital tools.We know that frozen soils are highly heterogeneous materials, comprised of four phases: liquid water, soil particles, ice and gas. Due to their complex composition, their understanding and their modeling require different areas of physics. Simulating the behavior of these soils (for instance under the influence of pressure or temperature change) proves extremely difficult, because each phase has its own specific rigidity. To simplify, we use homogenization, an extremely effective digital alternative. It enables the establishment of the macroscopic behavior of a system that is heterogeneous on a microscopic scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I therefore work with a fictitious homogeneous material, i.e., homogenized material that conserves the overall characteristics of the initial material. On a macroscopic scale, this approach makes it possible to obtain a very good approximation of the material\u2019s real-life behavior. The point is that, in this model, the material is homogenous in every respect, which considerably simplifies calculations and facilitates modeling work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your research projects are highly complementary. How will experimental observations contribute to the tool you are developing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>To digitally reconstruct the sample, I\u2019m going to use images provided by Christelle from the microtomograph. To do so, I use a specific method, the fast Fourier transform. This approach is extremely quick and effective compared with other methods such as finite elements. Overall, it allows us to work directly from a real-life image to extract the apparent properties of the heterogeneous material from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Distribution
a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Distribution
b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The main challenge is that we work on frozen soils, which require taking at least three physical fields into account – thermal, hydraulic and mechanical – to understand its overall behavior. When the temperature is modified, this causes a change in the hydraulic field, because the water present in the soil can pass from solid state to liquid state. Furthermore, if stress is applied, there will also be a change in the mechanical field. These three fields are completely interlocked and interdependent, which makes their modeling particularly complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objective of my thesis is to implement these three physical fields (thermal, hydraulic and mechanical) in an interlocked manner in a homogenization tool based on fast Fourier transform. From an image that Christelle will send me, I will apply these different physical interactions to analyze the material\u2019s overall behavior. Using this method, I will be able to extract the material\u2019s characteristics and properties at the exact moment that the image was acquired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tool could be applied to any type of material, not only frozen soils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your mind, what are the practical applications and implications of your respective research projects for infrastructural construction in these regions affected by global warming?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my part, my research mainly benefits other researchers. For example, it enables the evaluation of the behavior of a material by generating information on a microscopic scale, which can then be integrated into macroscopic models based on the geotechnical literature. In the long term, the objective is to commercialize the modeling tool to solve a range of infrastructural construction issues on this type of soil. This modeling tool enables the exploitation of real-life images generated by microtomography, which is currently very difficult because it\u2019s very long and digitally expensive in terms of calculation time and effort to generate a meshing matching the microtomography images. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche : <\/strong>My data can be directly used by an on-site engineer to carry out foundations calculations. It facilitates design optimization by anticipating necessary precautions, particularly in the case of frozen soil. It can also be integrated into foundations and road infrastructure sizing tools. As roads are particularly sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles, my data can provide solutions or predictions for a more precise and optimized design.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. i.e., water flow, infiltration or movement in and outside capillaries or pores of a material\u2019s structure. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  2. During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters). \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Christelle Tabbiche and Maria Camila Olarte Garzon, PhD students at the Navier Laboratory as part of the REFROZEN project in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":7595,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[690,936],"_related_content_author":[7588,7587],"_related_content_category":[1716],"_related_content_folder":[7705],"_excerpt":"Global warming causes major upheaval in regions where soils remain frozen for long periods. Understanding the behavior of these soils faced with freeze-thaw cycles is a crucial issue for infrastructural stability.","_duration":5,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"i.e., water flow, infiltration or movement in and outside capillaries or pores of a material\u2019s structure.\",\"id\":\"21edbbf7-4733-4a87-ae03-15a8861d6e7d\"},{\"content\":\"During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters).\",\"id\":\"118ec627-a66e-4f9e-929d-ffb1698413fa\"}]"},"article-types":[13,27],"class_list":["post-7708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article","article-types-folder"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"linkDestination":"custom","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Permafrost_pattern.jpg","alt":"Permafrost","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Permafrost_pattern.jpg","rel":"","linkClass":"","id":0,"width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","sizeSlug":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    \"Permafrost\"\/<\/a>
    Permafrost. Credit : Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"Permafrost\"\/<\/a>
    Permafrost. Credit : Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"Permafrost\"\/<\/a>
    Permafrost. Credit : Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Christelle Tabbiche and Maria Camila Olarte Garzon, PhD students at the Navier Laboratory as part of the REFROZEN project in partnership with Aachen University (RWTH) in Germany, are studying these phenomena from two complementary points of view: in-laboratory experimentation and digital modeling.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Christelle Tabbiche and Maria Camila Olarte Garzon, PhD students at the Navier Laboratory as part of the REFROZEN project in partnership with Aachen University (RWTH) in Germany, are studying these phenomena from two complementary points of view: in-laboratory experimentation and digital modeling.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Christelle Tabbiche and Maria Camila Olarte Garzon, PhD students at the Navier Laboratory as part of the REFROZEN project in partnership with Aachen University (RWTH) in Germany, are studying these phenomena from two complementary points of view: in-laboratory experimentation and digital modeling.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    What is the background to your research projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    What is the background to your research projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    What is the background to your research projects?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche :<\/strong> Our theses focus on frozen soils, called permafrost. These are soils exposed to a temperature below 0\u00b0C for at least two consecutive years. They contain water which, under the influence of negative temperatures, freezes and causes an increase in their volume. This expansion phenomenon can be amplified by water migration 1<\/a><\/sup> \u2013 particularly in the presence of a water table or ice lenses 2<\/a><\/sup>. With climate change, soils will be increasingly exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. This ice will melt and cause disruptions in soils, impacting infrastructure, such as the foundations of buildings and roads. Our objective is therefore to study and better understand this phenomenon.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche :<\/strong> Our theses focus on frozen soils, called permafrost. These are soils exposed to a temperature below 0\u00b0C for at least two consecutive years. They contain water which, under the influence of negative temperatures, freezes and causes an increase in their volume. This expansion phenomenon can be amplified by water migration 1<\/a><\/sup> \u2013 particularly in the presence of a water table or ice lenses 2<\/a><\/sup>. With climate change, soils will be increasingly exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. This ice will melt and cause disruptions in soils, impacting infrastructure, such as the foundations of buildings and roads. Our objective is therefore to study and better understand this phenomenon.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche :<\/strong> Our theses focus on frozen soils, called permafrost. These are soils exposed to a temperature below 0\u00b0C for at least two consecutive years. They contain water which, under the influence of negative temperatures, freezes and causes an increase in their volume. This expansion phenomenon can be amplified by water migration 1<\/a><\/sup> \u2013 particularly in the presence of a water table or ice lenses 2<\/a><\/sup>. With climate change, soils will be increasingly exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. This ice will melt and cause disruptions in soils, impacting infrastructure, such as the foundations of buildings and roads. Our objective is therefore to study and better understand this phenomenon.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    How are your respective research projects contributing to more comprehensive understanding of the processes that affect the stability of frozen soils under changing climate conditions?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    How are your respective research projects contributing to more comprehensive understanding of the processes that affect the stability of frozen soils under changing climate conditions?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    How are your respective research projects contributing to more comprehensive understanding of the processes that affect the stability of frozen soils under changing climate conditions?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Christelle Tabbiche\u00a0: <\/strong>My approach consists of studying interaction between ice and soil particles on a microscopic and macroscopic scale. To visualize and understand these phenomena, I use advanced imaging techniques. On a macroscopic scale, I essentially use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), similar to medical imaging. In our case, the apparatus is configured vertically.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Christelle Tabbiche\u00a0: <\/strong>My approach consists of studying interaction between ice and soil particles on a microscopic and macroscopic scale. To visualize and understand these phenomena, I use advanced imaging techniques. On a macroscopic scale, I essentially use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), similar to medical imaging. In our case, the apparatus is configured vertically.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Christelle Tabbiche\u00a0: <\/strong>My approach consists of studying interaction between ice and soil particles on a microscopic and macroscopic scale. To visualize and understand these phenomena, I use advanced imaging techniques. On a macroscopic scale, I essentially use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), similar to medical imaging. In our case, the apparatus is configured vertically.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    For my experiments, I use a 100mm-diameter, 100mm-high water-saturated soil sample - like when a water table is located just below the frozen soil. To reproduce conditions similar to a depth of one meter, I generate a homogenous temperature of approx. 2\u00b0C around the sample and negative temperatures on the surface, between -5 or -6\u00b0C. For the duration of the freezing process, I scan to monitor local water movement in the soil and observe its transformation into ice. It is a unique experiment, which enables the visualization of phenomena that had never been directly observed to date.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    For my experiments, I use a 100mm-diameter, 100mm-high water-saturated soil sample - like when a water table is located just below the frozen soil. To reproduce conditions similar to a depth of one meter, I generate a homogenous temperature of approx. 2\u00b0C around the sample and negative temperatures on the surface, between -5 or -6\u00b0C. For the duration of the freezing process, I scan to monitor local water movement in the soil and observe its transformation into ice. It is a unique experiment, which enables the visualization of phenomena that had never been directly observed to date.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    For my experiments, I use a 100mm-diameter, 100mm-high water-saturated soil sample - like when a water table is located just below the frozen soil. To reproduce conditions similar to a depth of one meter, I generate a homogenous temperature of approx. 2\u00b0C around the sample and negative temperatures on the surface, between -5 or -6\u00b0C. For the duration of the freezing process, I scan to monitor local water movement in the soil and observe its transformation into ice. It is a unique experiment, which enables the visualization of phenomena that had never been directly observed to date.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    I also monitor soil expansion using a piston. During freezing, I have been able to observe upward expansion of 3 millimeters. This allows me to monitor the progression of the freezing front (the boundary between frozen and non-frozen zones of the soil) and analyze the water\u2019s behavior along its trajectory. These observations help me to better understand how soil absorbs water, and in what quantity, even when it is completely frozen.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    I also monitor soil expansion using a piston. During freezing, I have been able to observe upward expansion of 3 millimeters. This allows me to monitor the progression of the freezing front (the boundary between frozen and non-frozen zones of the soil) and analyze the water\u2019s behavior along its trajectory. These observations help me to better understand how soil absorbs water, and in what quantity, even when it is completely frozen.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    I also monitor soil expansion using a piston. During freezing, I have been able to observe upward expansion of 3 millimeters. This allows me to monitor the progression of the freezing front (the boundary between frozen and non-frozen zones of the soil) and analyze the water\u2019s behavior along its trajectory. These observations help me to better understand how soil absorbs water, and in what quantity, even when it is completely frozen.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    On a microscopic scale, I use an X-ray microtomograph<\/a>. A triaxial cell, placed directly in the apparatus, permits the application of an axial force via pressure on my sample. The objective is to analyze the shearing behavior of a frozen 12mm-diameter, 24mm-high sample under the influence of these mechanical loads.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    On a microscopic scale, I use an X-ray microtomograph<\/a>. A triaxial cell, placed directly in the apparatus, permits the application of an axial force via pressure on my sample. The objective is to analyze the shearing behavior of a frozen 12mm-diameter, 24mm-high sample under the influence of these mechanical loads.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    On a microscopic scale, I use an X-ray microtomograph<\/a>. A triaxial cell, placed directly in the apparatus, permits the application of an axial force via pressure on my sample. The objective is to analyze the shearing behavior of a frozen 12mm-diameter, 24mm-high sample under the influence of these mechanical loads.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my thesis, I am principally working with digital tools.We know that frozen soils are highly heterogeneous materials, comprised of four phases: liquid water, soil particles, ice and gas. Due to their complex composition, their understanding and their modeling require different areas of physics. Simulating the behavior of these soils (for instance under the influence of pressure or temperature change) proves extremely difficult, because each phase has its own specific rigidity. To simplify, we use homogenization, an extremely effective digital alternative. It enables the establishment of the macroscopic behavior of a system that is heterogeneous on a microscopic scale.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my thesis, I am principally working with digital tools.We know that frozen soils are highly heterogeneous materials, comprised of four phases: liquid water, soil particles, ice and gas. Due to their complex composition, their understanding and their modeling require different areas of physics. Simulating the behavior of these soils (for instance under the influence of pressure or temperature change) proves extremely difficult, because each phase has its own specific rigidity. To simplify, we use homogenization, an extremely effective digital alternative. It enables the establishment of the macroscopic behavior of a system that is heterogeneous on a microscopic scale.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my thesis, I am principally working with digital tools.We know that frozen soils are highly heterogeneous materials, comprised of four phases: liquid water, soil particles, ice and gas. Due to their complex composition, their understanding and their modeling require different areas of physics. Simulating the behavior of these soils (for instance under the influence of pressure or temperature change) proves extremely difficult, because each phase has its own specific rigidity. To simplify, we use homogenization, an extremely effective digital alternative. It enables the establishment of the macroscopic behavior of a system that is heterogeneous on a microscopic scale.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    I therefore work with a fictitious homogeneous material, i.e., homogenized material that conserves the overall characteristics of the initial material. On a macroscopic scale, this approach makes it possible to obtain a very good approximation of the material\u2019s real-life behavior. The point is that, in this model, the material is homogenous in every respect, which considerably simplifies calculations and facilitates modeling work.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    I therefore work with a fictitious homogeneous material, i.e., homogenized material that conserves the overall characteristics of the initial material. On a macroscopic scale, this approach makes it possible to obtain a very good approximation of the material\u2019s real-life behavior. The point is that, in this model, the material is homogenous in every respect, which considerably simplifies calculations and facilitates modeling work.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    I therefore work with a fictitious homogeneous material, i.e., homogenized material that conserves the overall characteristics of the initial material. On a macroscopic scale, this approach makes it possible to obtain a very good approximation of the material\u2019s real-life behavior. The point is that, in this model, the material is homogenous in every respect, which considerably simplifies calculations and facilitates modeling work.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Your research projects are highly complementary. How will experimental observations contribute to the tool you are developing?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Your research projects are highly complementary. How will experimental observations contribute to the tool you are developing?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Your research projects are highly complementary. How will experimental observations contribute to the tool you are developing?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>To digitally reconstruct the sample, I\u2019m going to use images provided by Christelle from the microtomograph. To do so, I use a specific method, the fast Fourier transform. This approach is extremely quick and effective compared with other methods such as finite elements. Overall, it allows us to work directly from a real-life image to extract the apparent properties of the heterogeneous material from it.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>To digitally reconstruct the sample, I\u2019m going to use images provided by Christelle from the microtomograph. To do so, I use a specific method, the fast Fourier transform. This approach is extremely quick and effective compared with other methods such as finite elements. Overall, it allows us to work directly from a real-life image to extract the apparent properties of the heterogeneous material from it.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>To digitally reconstruct the sample, I\u2019m going to use images provided by Christelle from the microtomograph. To do so, I use a specific method, the fast Fourier transform. This approach is extremely quick and effective compared with other methods such as finite elements. Overall, it allows us to work directly from a real-life image to extract the apparent properties of the heterogeneous material from it.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/columns","attrs":{"verticalAlignment":"","isStackedOnMobile":true,"templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-columns","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/column","attrs":{"width":"50%","verticalAlignment":"","templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-column","style":"flex-basis:50%","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":7690,"width":"347px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Stress-Distribution-de-la-composante-de-contrainte-\u03c312-resultant-de-lhomogeneisation-FEM-1.png","alt":"Distribution de la composante de contrainte de cisaillement \u03c312 r\u00e9sultant de l'homog\u00e9n\u00e9isation avec la m\u00e9thode des \u00e9l\u00e9ments finis (MEF)","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full is-resized","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    \"Distribution
    a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"Distribution
    a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"Distribution
    a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
    <\/div>\n","innerContent":["\n
    ",null,"<\/div>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \n
    \"Distribution
    a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/column","attrs":{"width":"50%","verticalAlignment":"","templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-column","style":"flex-basis:50%","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":7692,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/StressFFT-Distribution-de-la-composante-de-contrainte-\u03c312-resultant-de-lhomogeneisation-basee-sur-la-transformee-de-Fourier-rapide-1.png","alt":"Distribution de la composante de contrainte de cisaillement \u03c312 r\u00e9sultant de l'homog\u00e9n\u00e9isation bas\u00e9e sur la transform\u00e9e de Fourier rapide","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n
    \"Distribution
    b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"Distribution
    b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"Distribution
    b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
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    \"Distribution
    b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
    \n\n<\/div>\n","innerContent":["\n
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    \"Distribution
    a) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization with the finite element method<\/a> (FEM).
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Distribution
    b) Distribution of the shear stress component \u03c312 resulting from homogenization based on the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Credit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    The main challenge is that we work on frozen soils, which require taking at least three physical fields into account - thermal, hydraulic and mechanical - to understand its overall behavior. When the temperature is modified, this causes a change in the hydraulic field, because the water present in the soil can pass from solid state to liquid state. Furthermore, if stress is applied, there will also be a change in the mechanical field. These three fields are completely interlocked and interdependent, which makes their modeling particularly complex.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    The main challenge is that we work on frozen soils, which require taking at least three physical fields into account - thermal, hydraulic and mechanical - to understand its overall behavior. When the temperature is modified, this causes a change in the hydraulic field, because the water present in the soil can pass from solid state to liquid state. Furthermore, if stress is applied, there will also be a change in the mechanical field. These three fields are completely interlocked and interdependent, which makes their modeling particularly complex.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    The main challenge is that we work on frozen soils, which require taking at least three physical fields into account - thermal, hydraulic and mechanical - to understand its overall behavior. When the temperature is modified, this causes a change in the hydraulic field, because the water present in the soil can pass from solid state to liquid state. Furthermore, if stress is applied, there will also be a change in the mechanical field. These three fields are completely interlocked and interdependent, which makes their modeling particularly complex.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    The objective of my thesis is to implement these three physical fields (thermal, hydraulic and mechanical) in an interlocked manner in a homogenization tool based on fast Fourier transform. From an image that Christelle will send me, I will apply these different physical interactions to analyze the material\u2019s overall behavior. Using this method, I will be able to extract the material\u2019s characteristics and properties at the exact moment that the image was acquired.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    The objective of my thesis is to implement these three physical fields (thermal, hydraulic and mechanical) in an interlocked manner in a homogenization tool based on fast Fourier transform. From an image that Christelle will send me, I will apply these different physical interactions to analyze the material\u2019s overall behavior. Using this method, I will be able to extract the material\u2019s characteristics and properties at the exact moment that the image was acquired.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    The objective of my thesis is to implement these three physical fields (thermal, hydraulic and mechanical) in an interlocked manner in a homogenization tool based on fast Fourier transform. From an image that Christelle will send me, I will apply these different physical interactions to analyze the material\u2019s overall behavior. Using this method, I will be able to extract the material\u2019s characteristics and properties at the exact moment that the image was acquired.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    This tool could be applied to any type of material, not only frozen soils.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    This tool could be applied to any type of material, not only frozen soils.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    This tool could be applied to any type of material, not only frozen soils.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    In your mind, what are the practical applications and implications of your respective research projects for infrastructural construction in these regions affected by global warming?<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    In your mind, what are the practical applications and implications of your respective research projects for infrastructural construction in these regions affected by global warming?<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    In your mind, what are the practical applications and implications of your respective research projects for infrastructural construction in these regions affected by global warming?<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my part, my research mainly benefits other researchers. For example, it enables the evaluation of the behavior of a material by generating information on a microscopic scale, which can then be integrated into macroscopic models based on the geotechnical literature. In the long term, the objective is to commercialize the modeling tool to solve a range of infrastructural construction issues on this type of soil. This modeling tool enables the exploitation of real-life images generated by microtomography, which is currently very difficult because it\u2019s very long and digitally expensive in terms of calculation time and effort to generate a meshing matching the microtomography images. <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my part, my research mainly benefits other researchers. For example, it enables the evaluation of the behavior of a material by generating information on a microscopic scale, which can then be integrated into macroscopic models based on the geotechnical literature. In the long term, the objective is to commercialize the modeling tool to solve a range of infrastructural construction issues on this type of soil. This modeling tool enables the exploitation of real-life images generated by microtomography, which is currently very difficult because it\u2019s very long and digitally expensive in terms of calculation time and effort to generate a meshing matching the microtomography images. <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Maria Camila Olarte Garzon : <\/strong>For my part, my research mainly benefits other researchers. For example, it enables the evaluation of the behavior of a material by generating information on a microscopic scale, which can then be integrated into macroscopic models based on the geotechnical literature. In the long term, the objective is to commercialize the modeling tool to solve a range of infrastructural construction issues on this type of soil. This modeling tool enables the exploitation of real-life images generated by microtomography, which is currently very difficult because it\u2019s very long and digitally expensive in terms of calculation time and effort to generate a meshing matching the microtomography images. <\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche : <\/strong>My data can be directly used by an on-site engineer to carry out foundations calculations. It facilitates design optimization by anticipating necessary precautions, particularly in the case of frozen soil. It can also be integrated into foundations and road infrastructure sizing tools. As roads are particularly sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles, my data can provide solutions or predictions for a more precise and optimized design.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche : <\/strong>My data can be directly used by an on-site engineer to carry out foundations calculations. It facilitates design optimization by anticipating necessary precautions, particularly in the case of frozen soil. It can also be integrated into foundations and road infrastructure sizing tools. As roads are particularly sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles, my data can provide solutions or predictions for a more precise and optimized design.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Christelle\u00a0Tabbiche : <\/strong>My data can be directly used by an on-site engineer to carry out foundations calculations. It facilitates design optimization by anticipating necessary precautions, particularly in the case of frozen soil. It can also be integrated into foundations and road infrastructure sizing tools. As roads are particularly sensitive to freeze-thaw cycles, my data can provide solutions or predictions for a more precise and optimized design.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/footnotes","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""}],"seo":{"title":"Studying frozen soils: between MRI and numerical modeling"},"media":{"img":"\"Permafrost\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Permafrost_pattern.jpg"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/studying-frozen-soils-between-mri-and-numerical-modeling\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Christelle Tabbiche","url":"\/en\/authors\/christelle-tabbiche\/","id":"7588","media":"\"Christelle","slug":"christelle-tabbiche"},{"title":"Maria Camila Olarte Garzon","url":"\/en\/authors\/maria-camila-olarte-garzon\/","id":"7587","media":"\"Maria","slug":"maria-camila-olarte-garzon"}],"subject":[{"title":"Digital Technology, Modeling & Artificial Intelligence","url":"\/en\/subjects\/digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence\/","id":"690","media":"\"\"","slug":"digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence"},{"title":"Cities, Urban planning & Construction","url":"\/en\/subjects\/cities-urban-planning-construction\/","id":"936","media":"\"\"","slug":"cities-urban-planning-construction"}],"category":[{"title":"Articles","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/articles\/","id":"1716","media":"","slug":"articles","_related_post_type":""}],"folder":[{"title":"Freezing and thawing: When winter puts our infrastructures to the test","url":"\/en\/folders\/freezing-and-thawing-when-winter-puts-our-infrastructures-to-the-test\/","id":"7705","media":"\"Permafrost\"","slug":"freezing-and-thawing-when-winter-puts-our-infrastructures-to-the-test"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/etudier-les-sols-geles-entre-irm-et-modelisation-numerique\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"5","custom_excerpt":"Global warming causes major upheaval in regions where soils remain frozen for long periods. Understanding the behavior of these soils faced with freeze-thaw cycles is a crucial issue for infrastructural stability.","duration_type":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7708"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7710,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7708\/revisions\/7710"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-types?post=7708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}