About the project
The propagation of highly-localized ruptures precedes various kinds of catastrophic failures in geomaterials. Examples include landslides, rockfalls, glacier surges and earthquakes. In UNLOC, we will perform fundamental research to simulate and image the micro-mechanical processes arising within regions of intense localized deformation (such as friction, fracture and fluid flow) and study their interplay at the origin of material failure and geohazards.
Main research topics
Simulating frictional failure in geological materials

Complex fluid flow in rapidly deforming pore space and fractures

Field monitoring and analysis of fluid-induced deformation in unstable slopes and rock mass

Shear deformation of granular media and unconsolidated rocks at high strain rate

Financing
UNLOC is a project funded by the Research Council of Norway through the Researcher Project for Young Talent program (FRIPRO 2024-2028).