Two GeM PhD students at Centrale Nantes awarded research prizes at RUGC (Civil Engineering University Conference) 2024

Imane Bekrine | René Houpert Young Researchers prize

Imane Bekrine was awarded the René Houpert Young Researchers prize, from among 28 candidates at RUGC (Civil Engineering University Conference) 2024 held in Le Havre from 28 to 30 May 2024. Imane Bekrine defended her PhD thesis in March 2024 under the supervision of Professor Ahmed Loukili and Dr Benoit Hilloulin. During the course of her PhD, she developed an original method combining the nano-identation technique and imaging, enabling precise identification of phases at the microstructural level of low-carbon concrete. This research has made possible the characterisation of viscoelastic behaviour of cementitious materials incorporating a high proportion of mineral additives such as slag or metakaolin.
 

Lucile Pigeot | Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP) research prize

The Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP) research prize was awarded to Lucile Pigeot, a third-year PhD student at the GeM. Lucile's PhD, supervised by Prof Loukili alongside Nathalie Dufour and Anyony Soive (CEREMA), is part of a collaboration between Centrale Nantes - Cerema - Egis. Lucile Pigeot was awarded a prize for her work on the effect of curing pressure on the behaviour of a silt stabilised with lime and hydraulic binder. This is the first time that a soil in confinement has been visualised using X-ray microtomography, where a change in microstructure over time has been demonstrated.