The technique of reinforcemetn of compressible soils by vertical Rigid Inclusions (RI) is very wide-spread in France and abroad. This technique of composite foundation mixing deep and superficial elements, was developed initially for works of embankment (for infrastructures of transport), but extends in wind turbines and also in industrial buildings today (e.g. logistic platforms), of housing or offices (less than 4-5 floors), schools, hospitals, etc. This technique so fits on all the territory, urbi et orbi, impacts on the choice of the foundations of the constructions and the linear works of transport (roads and railroads), so touching in a little visible, but real way, the citizens in their living environment and for their mobility. The issues addressed here concern the behaviour of the RI-reinforced soil mass: i) Dynamic Loads: Modifying the celerity of surface waves in a medium with periodic inclusions ii) under seismic stress: Inertial and kinematic effects The methodology used is based on the experimental approach of physical modelling on reduced models combined with numerical modelling, all in conjunction with the field. The propagation of surface waves in soil is modified by the presence of heterogeneities (vertical RI), but in what way? In order to answer this question, which concerns railway applications as a priority, reduced "geophysical" models will be carried out, based on the principle of scaling wavelengths, and implemented on the Ifsttar MUSC bench. Numerically, the spectral element method associated with the non-periodic homogenization technique will be implemented. In the case of seismicload, the presence of Ri reinforcement necessarily changes the soil response, but in what way? To study the inertial and kinematic effects of an RI-reinforced soft soil, "geotechnical" small scale models will be tested with the earthquake simulator installed in the Ifsttar centrifuge. Here the frequencies are scaled up. A fine dynamic characterization of centrifuge soils will be carried out in parallel.The so-called macro-element numerical method as well as the so-called transfer curves will be implemented for simplified models, while non-linear 3D finite elements will be used to simulate works under seismic load (such as those studied in centrifuge), before moving to parametric studies of reference structures. The consortium set up to try to increase knowledge on these dynamic issues brings together, around the Ifsttar, a set of partners involved to varying degrees from downstream upstream: i) SNCF-reseau, Ménard, LGP, centrale-Supelec; ii) EDF, Cerema, Terrasol, Ménard, centrale-Supélec, centrale Nantes. Exceptional experimental equipment combined with advanced, sophisticated or simplified numerical modelling will allow to observe, understand and simulate different configurations, to bring new knowledge and make it available to the Construction Engineering.

The project FOEHN fits the challenge 3 of the thematic axis Factory of the Future (Axis2) of the call. The context is the field of research dedicated to provide innovation for increasing the reliability of NDE (Non Destructive Evaluation) methods used by industry. More precisely the project proposes to develop new methodologies and simulation tools aiming at increasing the accuracy of the reliability assessment of NDE methods by taking into account influential factors including OHF (Organizational and Human Factors). The reliability of NDE methods can be estimated by calculating probability of detection (POD) for the researched flaws. This approach allows to accounting for the variability of the parameters which impact the response of the inspection system through statistical analysis. Numerical simulation is more and more used in this context. Nowadays Organizational and Human Factors (OHF) are difficult to take into account in this context and often, the performances observed on site are lower that initially predicted. The variability of some “technical factors” also remains difficult to account for. The project FOEHN aims at analyzing and modelizing influence. The objective is to propose POD evaluation tools taking into account technical factors which influence the response of the inspection system and OHF. More specifically the project FOEHN aims at improving in thi sense the so-called MAPOD (Model Assisted POD) approach based on the use of simulation. The approach adopted consists in studying several cases of applications from which will be proposed more generic methodologic tools. In order to fulfil these objective the consortium of the collaborative project FOEHN is constituted by: • Three NDE industrial end-users : AIRBUS GROUP for the aircraft insudtry, EDF CEIDRE for the nuclear industry and the INSTITUT DE SOUDURE active in many industrial sectors. • The Institute LIST of CEA Tech, RTO active in NDE which in particular develops the CIVA simulation plat-form and works on MAPOD approach. • The CRC (Centre de recherche sur les Risques et les Crises) de l’école Mines Paristech, research center dedicated to organizational and Human Factors. The expected results are at different levels. First of all the project will provide a formal framework allowing to better understanding, modeling and predicting the impact of OHF on the performances of inspections. In addition at the end of the project will be available sets of data obtained in well controlled conditions involving the monitoring of inspectors. Methodologies for the capture and exploitation of human factors in the context of a POD study. These tools will be implemented in a laboratory plat-form which will possibly be enriched and exploited beyond the project. In parallel, the MAPOD approach will be extended in order to provide more realistic estimated POD. The numerical tools will be implemented in CIVA. More generally it is expected a significant improvement of the estimation of statistical indicators related to POD and consequently new possibilities to optimize the design and assessment of NDE methods.