Geomechanics and Geohazards

The Competence Center "Geomechanics and Geohazards" deals with two central aspects of the investigation and development of the subsurface for the exploitation of hydrothermal resources, underground reservoirs, and the creation of permeability in the deep subsurface.

The team develops concepts for the acquisition of geomechanical data and their interpretation with respect to the construction and operation of subsurface systems and their development. This includes conducting geophysical and hydraulic borehole investigations as well as laboratory geomechanical tests to estimate stress conditions in the subsurface and design boreholes. The systematic acquisition and interpretation of data provides the basis for comprehensive quantitative and qualitative geohazard management, including the development of monitoring and intervention concepts.

Research at the Competence Center contributes to the further development of a fundamental scientific understanding of processes with the help of field and demonstration tests for the development of optimized development and utilization concepts.

Core competences

  • Geomechanics
  • Underground development
  • Monitoring and instrumentation
  • Coupled geomechanical modeling

Goals

Our development goals are to establish a modeling group for seismo-thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled processes for planning and forecasting models and to build a nationally and internationally networked research infrastructure.