Our research team is dedicated to advancing the understanding of complex thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in porous media. These processes are fundamental to solving key geotechnical challenges, especially in energy systems, waste management, and subsurface engineering.

We focus on multi-physics simulations and the development of computational models that analyze the behavior of porous media under various conditions. A significant part of our work revolves around the safe, long-term storage of hazardous materials, such as radioactive waste, as well as energy storage in technical and geological systems. Our research contributes to improving the integrity and stability of geological barriers, ensuring the safety of host rocks used in deep geological repositories, and making the use of geoenergy more efficient.

In addition to these core areas, our team is also at the forefront of incorporating uncertainty quantification into coupled analyses as well as traditional geotechnical engineering practices. Modern approaches to uncertainty quantification enable us to more accurately model and describe soil inhomogeneity and its impact on key serviceability and ultimate limit state problems. These efforts are critical for understanding the variations in soil properties and how they affect the design and reliability of infrastructure projects, particularly under extreme conditions. By employing probabilistic models and advanced statistical techniques, we aim to improve the prediction and mitigation of risks in geotechnical engineering, ensuring safer and more resilient engineering designs.

Our team plays a critical role in the development of the OpenGeoSys simulation framework, a powerful tool for modeling coupled multi-physical processes. Through this platform, we can integrate uncertainty quantification and multiphysics to provide enhanced insights into the performance of geotechnical systems, particularly in energy storage and waste management applications.

We are deeply involved in both theoretical and applied aspects of geotechnical engineering, combining continuum mechanics with environmental geosciences to address sustainability issues in geoenergy and nuclear waste management. By integrating insights from environmental informatics, geotechnics, and energy systems, we aim to contribute to the creation of more sustainable geotechnical practices. Our research group collaborates closely with industry and academic partners worldwide, extending our impact to global challenges related to energy security, environmental protection, and the long-term reliability of geotechnical systems.