Gilles Chanvillard (1963-2015)

It is with deep regret that we inform you that Dr. Gilles Chanvillard, former RILEM Member, passed away on 24 October 2015 at age of 52.

Gilles Chanvillard was trained as both a civil engineer and a materials scientist. He graduated from the ENTPE (Ecole Nationale des Travaux publics de l'Etat) in 1986 and obtained a PhD in materials science from Sherbrooke University, Quebec, in 1992, under the supervision of Professor Pierre Claude Aïtcin. His PhD thesis made a significant contribution to the scientific understanding of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC). During the 1990's, Gilles was responsible for the concrete chair at the ENTPE, where his research focused on both early-age cracking and concrete mix-design. He was convinced that modern concrete mix-design should be based on a scientific approach, and with this in mind he built a comprehensive teaching course for his students, published in 1997 as a book entitled "Connaissances générales sur le matériau béton”. During the same period, Gilles was involved in the French AFREM technical committee on FRC and developed a model which, a few years later, enabled the AFGC to establish recommendations for the design of ultra high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) structures.  This work was the basis of all later industrial developments of French UHPC technology.

In 1999, Gilles joined the Lafarge Research Centre near Lyon, France, and provided the concrete department with scientific knowledge on both concrete mix-design and mechanical characterization of construction materials. His experience on other materials, like screed, wood, rammed-earth, as well as his works on early-age cracking was deeply appreciated. Gilles rapidly became involved in many projects, such as the development of a shrinkage-compensating concrete for large slabs-on-grade or an insulating concrete for building envelopes. In 2010, Gilles was nominated as a Lafarge Group Master Expert – an internal distinction which was attributed to only three other persons. He was also appointed LCR Scientific Director for Materials and Modeling, and, in this role, promoted interactions between chemistry, physics, mechanics, micromechanics, poromechanics, and structural design. He drove the portfolio of scientific projects, based on the mid-and-long-term vision of strategic research for Lafarge.

Gilles co-authored numerous international publications; he will be remembered as one of the main French researchers of his time in the field of concrete technology.

Gilles Chanvillard was a member of TC 208-HFC.