Complementary Missions
The Platform of Hydraulic Constructions (PL-LCH) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) maintains a permanent synergy between teaching, research and services.
Hydraulic engineering of civil structures and systems constitutes the main field of activity of PL-LCH. In particular, PL-LCH focuses on hydroelectric structures and dams, water supply systems in rural and urban areas, river draining works as well as extreme flood determination and safety of hydraulic structures.
Based on a very long tradition of excellence in the field of water resources management, Swiss engineers have an excellent international reputation. To maintain and to reinforce this competence, PL-LCH plays an important role by teaching future civil engineers to be specialized in designing systems of hydraulic structures, by carrying out research at a high level and by transferring its experience to engineering practice through consulting (hydraulic modelling, numerical studies, surveys) and postgraduate courses.
Environnement and means
PL-LCH is part of the Civil Engineering Institute (ICC) of the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) of EPFL and benefits from a multidisciplinary environment that is at the forefront of conceptual and technological developments.
Under the leadership of Dr. De Cesare Giovanni assisted by two senior research associates and one technical director, the PL-LCH staff is composed of about thirty persons. The hydraulic platform benefits from state-of-the-art equipment well suited to fulfilling the three main missions. An area of 500 m2 is specifically allocated to scale model testing.