Professor Nordine Leklou | 3D printing | Research Excellence Award
Full Professor | Nantes University | France
Professor Nordine Leklou is a distinguished researcher in Civil Engineering at Nantes Université, specializing in the durability, pathologies, and sustainable development of construction materials. He holds an Habilitation in Civil Engineering (2017) and a PhD in Civil Engineering (2008), complemented by advanced engineering and research training at INSA Toulouse. Throughout his academic career, he has contributed extensively to the innovation and optimization of eco-materials derived from industrial and plant co-products, including studies on ion transfer mechanisms and advanced technologies such as 3D printing for earthen construction. His scientific portfolio demonstrates a strong international standing with more than 75 publications in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, over 50 conference communications, and 3 patents, supported by a citation record exceeding 1200 citations and an h-index of 17. He plays an influential role in shaping future expertise through the supervision of 22 doctoral candidates, 8 postdoctoral fellows, and 11 research-oriented master’s students. His academic leadership extends to key governance positions, currently serving as the Deputy Director of the University Institute of Technology of Saint-Nazaire. His participation in major national research initiatives such as ANR MODEVIE, Recybéton, and FastCarb illustrates his commitment to decarbonized construction and circular economy strategies for the built environment. Professor Leklou’s collaboration network spans Europe, Africa, and beyond, notably contributing to breakthroughs in additive manufacturing using earth-based materials and the development of bio-composites with enhanced mechanical and hygrothermal behaviors. His research contributes directly to sustainable urban development, reduced CO₂ emissions, and improved resilience of built structures under aggressive environmental conditions. Through academic influence, technological advancement, and strong interdisciplinary cooperation, he continues to drive innovation at the interface of material science and civil engineering, benefiting both the scientific community and society at large.
Research Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Publications
Printing with earth: Characterizing local soils for sustainable 3D construction. Materials and Structures / Materiaux Et Constructions. Article – Open access.
Experimental evaluation of the time lag and decrement factor of a raw earth wall for various climates: Comparison of different methods. Journal of Building Engineering. Article – Open access.
Mechanical properties of 3D-printed earth-based materials considering two printable soils. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. Article – Open access.
Experimental assessment of the dynamic hygrothermal and mechanical behavior of compressed earth block walls in a tropical humid climate. Buildings. Article – Open access.
Leveraging machine learning (ML) to enhance the structural properties of a novel alkali activated bio-composite. Journal of Composites Science. Article – Open access.
Effects of thermal activation on mechanical performance and sustainability of slag-based geopolymers. Materials. Article – Open access.