Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics LEMR

The Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics (LEMR) at EPFL, under the direction of Prof. Marie Violay, belongs to the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).

The LEMR conducts research on the mechanical behaviour, physical and fluid transport properties of rock materials at sub-surface conditions. This is accomplished by means of experimental research coupled with microstructural studies of the micro-scale processes, and modelling of these processes.

The LEMR provides research, teaching and services related to rock mechanics, rock physics, and engineering geomechanics.

 

Latest publications

A new high-pressure high-temperature deformation apparatus to study the brittle to ductile transition in rocks

G. G. Meyer; M. Acosta; H. Leclere; L. Morier; M. Teuscher et al. 

Review Of Scientific Instruments. 2023-04-01. Vol. 94, num. 4, p. 043903. DOI : 10.1063/5.0135947.

Single-Well Pore Pressure Preconditioning for Enhanced Geothermal System Stimulation

B. Fryer; M. Lebihain; M. Violay 

Journal Of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth. 2023-03-01. Vol. 128, num. 3, p. e2022JB025443. DOI : 10.1029/2022JB025443.

Bounding the localized to ductile transition in porous rocks: implications for geo-reservoirs

G. Meyer; M. Violay 

Geophysical Journal International. 2023.  p. ggad377. DOI : 10.1093/gji/ggad377.

 

Latest presentations

Fault roughness’s influence on experimental fault mechanical behavior

B. P. Fryer; C. Giorgetti; F. X. T. Passelègue; S. Momeni; B. Lecampion et al. 

AGU Fall Meeting 2022, Chicago, USA, December 12-16, 2022.

The effect of experimental fault roughness on bare fault surfaces and associated microseismicity

B. P. Fryer; C. Giorgetti; F. X. T. Passelègue; S. Momeni; B. Lecampion et al. 

Friction and Wear Across Scales 2022, Ascona, Switzerland, August 15 – 18, 2022.

Single well pore pressure preconditioning for EGS

B. Fryer; M. Lebihain; M. Violay 

EGU General Assembly 2022, Vienna, Austria, May 23-27, 2022.