On 1 July, we had the pleasure of warmly welcoming Prof. Emilien Azema, the head of the Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil (LMGC), Université de Montpellier, France. His research group focuses on advancing theoretical and computational methods to simulate the intricate behavior of granular materials across various scales and physical phenomena.

During this insightful meeting, we explored potential collaborative projects and proposal development focused on enhancing resilience of railway ballasted tracks through hybrid experimental-numerical investigation. This collaboration marks a significant step towards pushing the boundaries of our research and strengthening the resilience of railway infrastructure.