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 news

Antoine Guggisberg joins LEMR

Published:22.08.22 — Antoine Guggisberg has begun his PhD with LEMR.

Francesco Lazari joins LEMR

Published:03.08.22 — Francesco Lazari has begun his PhD with LEMR.

Corentin Noël has successfully defended his PhD

Published:21.04.21 — Corentin successfully defended his PhD on March 6th, 2021.

Latest publications

The influence of roughness on experimental fault mechanical behaviour and associated microseismicity

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

Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 2022-08-07. Vol. 127, num. 8. DOI : 10.1029/2022JB025113.

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Determination of Parameters Characteristic of Dynamic Weakening Mechanisms During Seismic Faulting in Cohesive Rocks

C. Cornelio; E. Spagnuolo; S. Aretusini; S. Nielsen; F. Passelègue et al.

Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 2022-07-04. Vol. 127, num. 7. DOI : 10.1029/2022JB024356.

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The Permeability of Porous Volcanic Rock Through the Brittle-Ductile Transition

M. J. Heap; G. G. Meyer; C. Noel; F. B. Wadsworth; P. Baud et al.

Journal Of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth. 2022-06-01. Vol. 127, num. 6, p. e2022JB024600. DOI : 10.1029/2022JB024600.

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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.

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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.

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Single well pore pressure preconditioning for EGS

B. Fryer; M. Lebihain; M. Violay

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

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