Dieudonné, A. A. M.

Profile summary

I am Assistant Professor of Multiphysics Geomechanics in the section of Geo-Engineering. My research focuses on assessing the impact of mechanical and environmental loads on the behaviour of geomaterials. I combine experimental testing, imaging and numerical modelling to develop fundamental understanding of the impact of multi-physics processes in geomaterials and propose solutions for safe, efficient and resilient geotechnical structures.

Expertise

  • Geological disposal of radioactive waste
  • Multiphysical (bio-chemo-thermo-hydro-mechanical) and multiscale processes in geomaterials
  • Transfer of water and gas in porous media
  • Behaviour of (expansive) clays
  • Nature-inspired solutions for soil stabilisation

Projects

I am currently leading the following projects:

  • Safe Environment for Clay Underground Repository (SECUUR). Funded by NWO (Open Technology Programme). 2023 - 2028. PhD candidates Ties de Jong and Vidushi Toshniwal are funded by this project.
  • European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (TU Delft contribution). Funded by EC and COVRA. 2019 - 2024. Researcher Joaquin Liaudat is funded by this project, and PhD candidate Zhaojiang Huang is carrying out related research.
  • How do fractures perish? Towards a theory of self-healing mechanics for clays. Funded by NWO (Veni). 2019 - 2024. PhD candidate Bhini Chandan Malagar is carrying out related research.
  • SoSEAL (TU Delft contribution). Funded by Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (innovation project within Sterke Lekdijk). 2022 - 2023. Researcher Thijs van der Wal is funded by this project.
  • Multi-scale behaviour of bio-cemented sands: imaging, experimental testing and discrete element modelling. PhD candidate Aoxi Zhang is carrying out related research.

I also contribute to the following projects:

  • CURE: Coupled multi-process research for reducing landfill emissions. Funded by NWO (GROOT) and led by Dr. Julia Gebert. 2020 - 2025. PhD candidate Cristhian Andrade Corona is funded by this project.
  • Sustainable dykes: Sustainable design and reinforcement strategies for dykes in a changing climate. Funded by NWO (Top Sector Water & Maritime) and led by Prof. Cristina Jommi. 2020 - 2024. PhD candidate Inge de Wolf is funded by this project.
  • EASYGO. Funded by EC (ITN) and led by Dr. Maren Brehme (ETH ZĂĽrich) and Phil Vardon (TU Delft). 2020 - 2025. PhD candidate Wen Luo is funded by this project.
  • Mechanisms of rock mass instability in co-mining of deep mineral and geothermal energy considering spatio-temporal distribution of stress and temperature. Funded by FWO (Bilateral Scientific Cooperation China) and led by Prof. Thomas Hermans (Ghent University). 2022 - 2024. PhD candidate Le Zhang is funded by this project.

Key publications

Liaudat J., DieudonnĂ© A.C. & Vardon P.J. (2023) Modelling gas fracturing in saturated clay using zero-thickness interface elements. Computers and Geotechnics 154: 105128.

Zhang A. & DieudonnĂ© A.C. (2023) Effects of carbonate distribution pattern on the mechanical behaviour of bio-cemented sands: a DEM study. Computers and Geotechnics 154: 105152.

Rawat A., Lang L., Baille W., DieudonnĂ© A.C. & Collin F. (2020) Coupled Hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted bentonite-sand mixture: experimental and numerical investigations. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering 12(3): 620-629.

DieudonnĂ© A.C., Della Vecchia G. & Charlier R. (2017) A water retention model for compacted bentonites. Canadian Geotechnical Journal 54(7): 915-925.

Gatabin C., Talandier J., Collin F., Charlier R. & DieudonnĂ© A.C. (2016) Competing effects of volume change and water uptake on the water retention behaviour of a compacted MX-80 bentonite/sand mixture. Applied Clay Science 121-122: 57-62.

Cerfontaine B., DieudonnĂ© A.C., Radu J.P., Collin F. & Charlier. (2015) 3D zero-thickness coupled interface finite element: Formulation and application. Computers and Geotechnics 69: 124-140.

DieudonnĂ© A.C., Cerfontaine B., Collin F. & Charlier R. (2015) Hydromechanical modelling of shaft sealing for CO2 storage. Engineering Geology 193: 97-105.

Della Vecchia G., DieudonnĂ© A.C., Jommi C. & Charlier R. (2015) Accounting for evolving pore size distribution in water retention models for compacted clays. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 39(7): 702-723.

Educational activities

I am responsible for and teach the following courses:

  • Rock Mechanics (AESB2342)
  • Engineering Geology (CIEM2110)
  • Environmental and Energy Geotechnics (CIEM2304)

Since 2023, I am also a member of the Board of Studies of Applied Earth Sciences and a member of the TU Delft Teaching Academy Pannel.

Background

I received my BSc in Civil Engineering (2009) and MSc in Geological and Mining Engineering (2011) from the University of Liege, Belgium. After my MSc, I joined the group of Geomechanics and Engineering Geology of the University of Liege to work on a PhD on the hydromechanical behaviour of bentonite barriers for the geological disposal of radioactive waste. As part of my PhD, I spent 4 months at the Technical University of Catalonia to work on the experimental characterisation of clay interfaces behaviour. Between December 2015 and April 2017, I was a scientist at the Ecole Polytechnique FĂ©dĂ©rale de Lausanne where I kept on working on research projects related to the disposal of radioactive waste and led the numerical analysis activities of the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics. In May 2017, I was appointed by TU Delft as Assistant Professor of Engineering Geology and joined the section of Geo-Engineering in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.

Recognitions

  • NWO Veni grant for the project entitled "How do fractures perish? Towards a theory of self-healing mechanics for clays" (2019)
  • Ioannis Vardoulakis PhD Prize awarded by the Alliance of Laboratories in Europe for Education, Research and Technology (ALERT) “Geomaterials” (2017)
  • WBI excellence grant for a research stay at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2014)
  • ABTUS (Belgian Association for Underground Techniques and Urbanism) scientific prize for the master thesis entitled “Geological sequestration of CO2: shaft sealing” (2012)
  • AILg C.B.R. Heidelberg prize for the master thesis entitled “Geological sequestration of CO2: shaft sealing” (2011)

Professional affiliations

  • Member of the Board of Directors of ALERT Geomaterials
  • Board member of the Dutch association of engineering geologists and geo-engineers (Ingeokring)
  • Member of ISSMGE technical committee TC105 (Geo-Mechanics from micro to macro)
  • Member of ISSMGE technical committee TC308 (Energy geotechnics)

Anne-Catherine Dieudonné

Assistant Professor