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GEOFORCE Group
GEOmechanics FOR subsurface Clean Energy exploitation

​We aim to understand how subsurface reservoirs respond to in-situ and external loads, focusing on the fundamental processes driving deformation and failure along geological discontinuities, such as faults. Our work involves developing advanced, physics-based computational and theoretical models to predict deformation across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, from sub-meters and fractions of a second to several kilometers and millennia.

Our approach goes beyond relying solely on numerical models to uncover the physical mechanisms behind these complex deformation phenomena. By extensively integrating fracture/fault mechanics concepts with scaling arguments, we aim to achieve a deep mechanistic understanding of these processes. This blend of theoretical insights and advanced numerical modeling distinguishes our research, enabling us to tackle efficiently long-standing and emerging challenges in geomechanics and geoengineering. These include - among others - earthquake nucleation, propagation, and recurrence on complex fault zones, subsurface geothermal energy extraction, and injection-induced seismicity.

Our work addresses significant scientific and practical challenges, offering insights that contribute to mitigating seismic hazards while advancing sustainable approaches to geo-resource utilization and clean energy exploitation.

Interested in joining
GEOFORCE Group?

We are always looking for highly skilled and motivated new collaborators to join our group.

Prospective graduate students are invited to enroll for CEE graduate program at NU (Geotechnics and Geotechnical Engineering) - see for more details: https://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/admission/ 

 

If you are interested in joining our group as a postdoctoral researcher, please email

federico.ciardo@northwestern.edu

with your Curriculum Vitae, a statement explaining why you want to join our group, names and contact information of at least 2 references, and a journal article that best represents your research.  

2145 Sheridan Road - Tech A114,

Evanston, IL 60208-3109 - USA

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

© 2025

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