Experiments of progressive rock fracturing and crack propagation under cyclical forcing

4-6 months in 2026

Keywords : rock mechanics, statistical physics, fracture mechanics, environmental
seismology, erosion process

Profile and skills required
Master’s degree or engineering degree in mechanics, physics, or geophysics, with a strong
interest in lab experiments, including acoustics. A broad interest in geosciences and/or natural
hazards would be appreciated.

Project description
The environment (meteorological and climatic conditions) is known to play a key role in rock
erosion within the critical zone (the first few tens of meters of the subsurface). Cracking and
fracturing in this critical zone are crucial in landform buildings but also in gravitational
natural hazards (rockfalls, landslides).

The sources and dynamics of fracturing on natural rock outcrops and cliffs remain
insufficiently documented, and a quantitative estimation of environmental forcing on crack
production is missing. Field and laboratory observations demonstrate the role of daily thermal
cycles, rain, and freeze-thaw cycles on progressive rock damage and, furthermore, rock
erosion, but the physics behind it is insufficiently quantified.

During this project we will perform cyclical loadings on rock samples to propagate cracks in
the sub-critical regime. The goal of the project will be to evaluate how cyclical loadings will
increase the size of the crack. Experimental results will be compared to field observations and
existing theoretical models.

PhD funding will be open after the project.
Please send your CV to : Eric.Larose univ-grenoble-alpes.fr and Noelie.Bontemps univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

Project supervisors :
E. Larose, D. Amitrano, L. Moreau and L. Baillet