Published on April 3, 2026 – Updated on April 3, 2026

The two technical platforms hosted by Polytech Clermont-Ferrand offer a comprehensive range of innovative services available to both industry and researchers.

With a total area of 1,500 m², these platforms feature a large and state-of-the-art instrumental park.

  • MSGC – a platform dedicated to Civil Engineering materials and structures
  • Gen’Mat – a platform dedicated to the characterization of materials or aqueous solutions and material cutting.

The platforms aim to:

  • Serve as an effective tool for project-based learning, which is widely developed at the school;
  • Promote technology transfer activities to companies (particularly SMEs), leveraging the expertise and research networks of faculty members;
  • Support the scientific and technical aspects of company creation by young engineers.

The MSGC technological platform – Materials and Structures in Civil Engineering – brings together and manages all experimental resources available for teaching, research, and technology transfer to companies.
 

MSGC Platform – ECOGRAFI

The MSGC technological platform – Materials and Structures in Civil Engineering – consolidates and manages all experimental resources provided for teaching, research, and technology transfer to companies.

                        


Expertise

  • Study of material and structural behavior at full scale in the lab or in situ
  • Material strength testing on specimens or structures of unique or complex shapes and dimensions (product validation tests, research programs)
  • Study of material behavior in situ by reproducing real-life implementation conditions in the laboratory.

Activity Sectors

  • Civil Engineering and Construction: concrete, steel, aluminum, wood structures, etc.
  • Granular media, soils
  • Mechanical Engineering: composite and multilayer structures at full scale

Spotlight on the ECOGRAFI Project (Valorization of Granular and Fibrous Materials)
This 1,150 m² setup in the Civil Engineering hall at Polytech Clermont expanded the platform's service offerings. ECOGRAFI relies on the expertise of Civil Engineering faculty-researchers in close collaboration with the Pascal Institute (UMR 6602) in the field of fibrous materials (wood materials and eco-materials), from characterization to performance within applied structures.

For more information: MSCG – Materials & Structures in Civil Engineering HERE
 

Contacts

Abdelhamid BOUCHAIR
MSGC Manager
Tel: +33 4 73 40 75 21
Email: abdelhamid.bouchair@uca.fr
 

Gaël GODI
MSGC Technical Manager
Tel: +33 4 73 40 75 24
Email: gael.godi@uca.fr


Gen’Mat Platform

A technological development, expertise, and testing platform in the field of materials, Gen’Mat relies on the knowledge and skills of the faculty-researchers from the Physical Engineering department in close collaboration with the GePEB axis of the Pascal Institute (UMR 6602).

Expertise

  • Chemical and electrochemical characterization of aqueous solutions
  • Characterization of solid and semi-solid materials:
    • Metallography and fractography
    • Thermomechanical properties of thermosetting polymers
    • Thermomechanical properties of thermoplastic polymers and elastomers
    • Electrochemical properties
  • Behavior and durability of materials in extreme environments:
    • Temperatures from -180°C to +1200°C
    • Acidic, biological, and corrosive environments
  • Optimization of heat treatments and surface treatment processes
  • Valorization of metallic waste

Activity Sectors
All sectors related to materials

Equipment

  • Thermomechanical properties
  • Heat treatments
  • Electrochemical properties
  • Surface analyses
  • Microscopy
 
Contacts

Fabrice AUDONNET
Faculty-Researcher, Physical Engineering Department
Scientific Manager
Tel: +33 4 73 40 78 17
Email: fabrice.audonnet@uca.fr
 

Jean-Pierre FONTAINE
Faculty-Researcher, Physical Engineering Department
Tel: +33 4 73 40 52 39
Email: j-pierre.fontaine@uca.fr