Pr. Dr. Emilien AZÉMA
Professor (full) – University of Montpellier
Professeur Associé – Polytechnique Montréal
Junior member of Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)
Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil (LMGC)
Emilien AZÉMA is Full Professor at the University of Montpellier since 2023, in the Departement of Mechanical Engineering (Faculty of Sciences) and in the Mechanical & Civil Engineering Lab (LMGC). He is holding a Research Chair from the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) as a Junior member (2020-2025). He is appointed as « Professeur Associé » at Polytechnique Montreal in the « Genie Civil, Géologique et Mine » Department since 2024. He earned both his Master and PhD from the University of Montpellier, where he studied the rheological and micromechanical behavior of railway ballast grains using realistic Discrete Element Modeling, via a joint grant from the CNRS and the Société Française des Chemins de Fers (SNCF). Between 2015-2016, he was a visiting researcher at the Mechanical Engineering Department at University of Chiangmai (Thailand). In 2008, he was a visiting researcher at the Civil Engineering Department at Los Andes University (Colombia). Prior to join the University of Montpellier as Ass. Professor in 2008, he spent one year at the Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussée (LCPC, now IFSTTAR) as a researcher.
He works on the micro-mechanics of granular systems composed of realistic microstructure. By means of innovative Discrete Element Modeling (DEM), he’s pioneering work was to systematically illuminate the non-linear effects of particle shapes (angularity, non convexity, elongation and platyness) and particle size polydispersity (size span and shape of particle size distribution) on the quasi-static to rapid flow rheology. In more general terms, he focus on evolving granular systems in which particles can fragment or undergo large deformations (soft/squishy granular materials) with applications to geomaterials, powder, rocks as well as non-terrestrial granular systems.
Since 2018, he is the coordinator of international affairs at the Faculty of Sciences. Since 2021, he is the coordinator of the first year Master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He teach solid mechanics, numerical computation, finite element method, discrete approaches and rheology of granular media in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Faculty of Science.
Main Collaborators
Mathieu Renouf – CNRS Researcher – LMGC – Université de Montpellier
Jonathan Barès – CNRS Researcher/Ingeneer – LMGC – Université de Montpellier
Nicolas Estrada – Ass. Professor, University of Los Andes Bogota
David Cantor – Researcher – Polytechnic Montreal
Carlos Ovalle – Ass. Professor – Polytechnic Montreal
Miguel Cabrera – Ass. Professor TU-Delft
Peerapong Jigsantiam – Professor Chiang Mai University
Itthichai Preechawutipong – Ass. Professor Chiang Mai University
Paul Sanchez – Senor Researcher – Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research
Post-Doc Students
3] Theechalit BINAREE (2022…). Discrete element modeling of the behavior of fouled railway ballast. Towards a realistic & predictive approach. Franco-Thai Young Talent research Fellowship.
2] Manuel CARDENAS-BARRANTES (Oct. 2021- Mars 2022). 3D-compaction of highly deformable spheres by means of experiments. Funding MIST project.
1] David CANTOR (2018-2019). Compaction of highly deformable particles. Funding Chiangmaï University (Thailand).
Phd Students
13] Lady Carolina CASTRO-MALAVER (2024…). A multi-scale approach to study the effect of fines content and particle shape on static liquefaction potential of loose mine tailings. Thesis in co-tutelle with Polytechnic Montreal. Funding MITACS (Canada)+SRK Consulting (Vancouver).
12] Jitinun PROMMARIN (2023…). Characterization and discrete element simulations of a brittle ballast grain model in fracture condition. Thesis in co-tutelle with Chiang Mai University (Pr P. Jitsangian). Funding Thaï gouvernement + Thaï Jubilee Program
11] Paula QUIROZ-ROJO (2021…). Scaling effects in Rock-fill degradation using multi-scale Discrete- Element Modeling and Experiments. Thesis in co-tutelle with Polytechnic Montreal (Pr C. Ovalle). Funding CNRS+PolyMontreal
10] David APONTE (2021…). Structures made of highly non-convex grains: application to control and stabilization of coastline. Thesis in co-tutelle with the University of Los Andes de Bogota (Pr N. Estrada). Funding Labex Numev + Univ. Los Andes Bogota.
9] Weiyi WANG (2021…). Strongly non-convex grain flow, modeling, simulation, experimentation. Funding ANR.
8] Agathe BIGNON (2021…). Numerical simulation of non-spherical grain flows in a silo. Application to the unitary delivery of drugs. Funding Cifre Valeriane company.
7] Oscar POLANIAO (2020-2023). Highly polydisperse grain flow in a fluid.
Thesis in co-tutelle with the University of Los Andes de Bogota (Pr N. Estrada). Funding Doctoral School I2S.
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/8f9ed4ca93084a63bb3d/?dl=1
6] Manuel CARDENAS-BARRANTES (2018-2021). Modeling the compaction of soft granular packings: effect of mixed soft/rigid grains and particle shape. Funding Doctoral School I2S.
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/610085f24c3b46acaf17/?dl=1
5] Theechalit BINAREE (2016-2021). Granular systems composed by a mix of angular particles, modeling and rheology. Thesis in collaboration with Chiangmaï University (Pr I. Preechawuttipong). Funding Thaï government (Chiangmaï University).
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/2011f1784c354e5f95fb/?dl=1
4] David CANTOR (2014-2017). Effect of particle fragmentation on the microstructure and mechanical strength of 3D granular media. Funding CEA-agency.
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/e1726fdb89d64000b9aa/?dl=1
3] Duc Hanh NGUYEN (2011-2014). Microstruture of fragmentable polydisperse granular systems. Funding CEA-agency.
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/0ba218c2172f4f0489d9/?dl=1
2] Nicolas BERGER (2011-2016). Iron ore granulation modelling. Funding Cifre Arcelor.
https://seafile.lmgc.univ-montp2.fr/f/cc573dc5e25a4d38b7c5/?dl=1
1] Mauricio BOTON (2008-2012). Micromechanics of clay-fluid systems.
Collaboration Los Andes University (Pr A. Lizcano & N. Estrada). Funding Los Andes University.
Master Students
10] Jitinun Prommarin (M2- 2021): a multi-scale approach for ballast deterioration modelling based on numerical simulation and laboratory experiments. Chiang Mai University (Thailand)
9] Thossapon Thungfonphum (M2- 2021): Modeling the open check dam for dry granular flows down an incline plane : a three dimensional discrete element approach. Phayao University (Thailand)
8] Weiyi Wang (M2- 2021): Modélisation numérique de l’écoulement de grains non convexe en tambour tournant. LMGC.
7] Antoine Mullor (M2- 2019): Modélisation analogique et numérique de l’initiation des cheminées d’expulsions de fluides dans les bassins sédimentaires immergés. LMGC-Géoscience. Stage co-encadré avec Aurélien Gay (Pr Géoscience) et Alfredo Taboada (Mcf Géosciences)
6] Manon Pochet (M2-2018) : Modélisation numérique et analogique des cheminées d’expulsions de fluides dans les bassins sédimentaires. LMGC-Géoscience. Stage co-encadré avec Aurélien Gay (Pr Géoscience) et Alfredo Taboada (Mcf Géosciences)
5] Justine Mialle (M2-2018) : Modélisation tridimensionnelle de matériaux granulaires auto-bloqués. LMGC-Géoscience. LMGC
4] Asmae Idrissi (M1-2016) : Modélisation de la déformation plastique de particules. Bachelor Thesis, University of Montpellier.
3] David Cantor (M2-2013) : Fracturation numérique des matériaux granulaires. Master thesis Universidad de Los Andes de Bogota, with Nicolas Estrada (Ecos-Nord project N°C12PU01).
2] Robert Temgoua (M2-2011) : Variabilité phénotypique des systèmes racinaires : Influence des interactions sol/racines, with Farhang Radjaï et Thierry Fourcaud.
1] Ana-Paulina Aguilar (M2-2010) : Simulation numérique de sols dérivés de cendres volcaniques. Universidad de Los Andes de Bogota, with Nicolas Estrada (Ecos-Nord project N°C08U01).