Founded in 2024, LabI2TEC (Research Laboratory for Smart Infrastructure and Connected Environment Technologies) brings together the research activities of ISBA TP and École Pratique, the two schools of the CCIAMP network.
research laboratory
Our laboratory
Located on campus, at the heart of the learning spaces, it is designed as a test platform, a true “showroom” for our students, introducing them to innovation and research.
Its research activities focus on:
Environmental challenges and the study of innovative materials, as well as thermal challenges, in response to global needs for infrastructure insulation.
The design, modeling, monitoring, operation and preventive and predictive maintenance of infrastructure using next-generation digital technologies: BIM, digital twins, artificial intelligence, connected objects (IoT), geographic information systems (GIS), data science and numerical simulation.
Strongly connected to the business world, LABI2TEC conducts collaborative projects with companies, higher education institutions and scientific partners, fostering knowledge transfer and innovation that serves the regions.
The work carried out in the laboratory directly feeds into ISBA TP’s programs, giving students immersion in emerging technologies and teaching closely linked to the realities of applied research and industrial innovation.
research areas
Our research topics
LABI2TEC’s activities are structured around two complementary research areas, addressing the major challenges of the ecological transition, infrastructure resilience and the digital transformation of the construction sector.
Environmental and thermal challenges
The work in this area aims to better understand the interactions between structures, materials and their environment in order to design more sustainable, safer and more resilient infrastructure.
Research focuses in particular on modeling soil-structure interactions, the stability of complex structures, the characterization of innovative materials, their mechanical and thermal performance, and the assessment of their environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
Fields of application:
- Soil-structure interactions
- Geotechnics and structural stability
- Materials modeling
- Thermal performance
- Environmental analysis and sustainability
Digital twins and predictive modeling
This area explores new generations of digital twins capable of representing, monitoring and anticipating the behavior of buildings and infrastructure throughout their life cycle.
The research combines BIM digital models, connected sensors (IoT), geographic information systems (GIS), environmental data and artificial intelligence to develop tools for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and decision support. The aim is to improve the safety, performance and sustainability of structures while anticipating the risks related to their operation and environment.
Fields of application:
- BIM and digital twins
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Predictive maintenance
- Infrastructure monitoring
- Decision support
platforms
Equipment
Teaching space and digital equipment
Interactive screen and 20 laptops available to learners.
Scanning, modeling and visualization
3D printer, point cloud scanner and virtual reality headset used for surveying, digital modeling and immersion in models.
Instrumentation and connected buildings
Sensors and prototyping: CO2, temperature and humidity sensors, smoke detectors, hydrometry sensors / leak detectors, and Arduino boards used for prototyping, sensor connection, data acquisition and experimentation with connected systems.
Communication and interoperability: “dry contact” box, communication gateways, LoRa® terminal and associated equipment.
Materials formulation
Laboratory glassware for measurements and dosing (beakers, graduated cylinders, pipettes, volumetric flasks, etc.).
Sand equivalent test, Vicat needle, laboratory oven, mortar mixer, thermal camera, blower door.
outreach
Our publications
| Outreach | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journals | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| International conferences | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Industry conferences | 5 | 5 | |
| Organizing committee | 2 |
Journals
- M. Azouggagh, M. El Aabbas, A. Bouchikhi, Y. Farkach, Amine El Mahdi Safhi, R. Assoudi, F. El Houmaini, M. Mahdaoui, « Hollow concrete blocks incorporating a phase change material: thermal and mechanical behaviours analysis », Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103841
- R. Abou Ibrahim, O. Imghoure, P. Tittelein, N. Belouaggadia, F. Hage Chehade, N. Sebaibi, S. Lassue, and L. Zalewski, « Application of ventilated solar façades to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings: A comprehensive review, » Energy Reports, vol. 13, pp. 1266–1292, Jun. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.12.051
- M. Fourniol, R. Vauché, G. Rao, E. Watelain, and E. Kussener, « Elbow Joint Angle Estimation Using a Low-Cost and Low-Power Single Inertial Device for Daily Home-Based Self-Rehabilitation, » Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications, vol. 15, no. 2, p. 33, 2025.
- M. Arab, I. Benessalah, F. Hage Chehade, and A. Arab, « One-dimensional consolidation and stress–strain behaviour of Chlef or standard granular sand mixed with bentonite, » Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, Jan. 2025.
- A. Bouchikhi, L. Yushchenko, and Z. Mezroui, « Divisors of fourier coefficients in p-ADIC Families of Modular Forms », Dec. 2025, https://doi.org/10.56947/gjom.v21i2.3748
- M. Fourniol, R. Vauché, G. Rao, E. Watelain, and E. Kussener, « Elbow Joint Angle Estimation Using a Low-Cost and Low-Power Single Inertial Device for Daily Home-Based Self-Rehabilitation, » Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications, vol. 15, no. 2, p. 33, 2025, https://doi.org/10.3390/jlpea15020033
- A. Abdelmonaim Bouchikhi, Lidiya Yushchenko, Soufiane Mezroui, « Divisors of Fourier coefficients in p-adic families of modular forms », Gulf Journal of Mathematics, Dec. 2025, https://doi.org/10.56947/gjom.v21i2.3748
- M. El Aabbas, M. Mahdaoui, M. Bouchikhi, M. Ahachad, M. Hijab, M. Diallo, M. Mazian, M. Ouardouz, « Experimental and numerical study of the incorporation of spent coffee grounds and phase change materials in hollow bricks manufactured by 3D printing », https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2026.107705
- M. El-Khoury, E. Rozière, F. Grondin, M. Marcel, R. Cortas, and F. Hage Chehade, « A new protocol to evaluate the behaviour and durability of marine structures, » Ocean Engineering, vol. 302, Art. no. 117579, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.117579
- A. Bouchikhi, A. E. M. Safhi, W. Maherzi, and N.-E. Abriak, « Advancements in heavy metal stabilization: A comparative study on zinc immobilization in glass-Portland cement binders, » Materials, vol. 17, no. 12, p. 2867, Jun. 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122867
- A. Bouchikhi, M. Amar, L. Arroug, and Y. Haddaji, « Characterizing nano-indentation and microstructural properties of mine tailings-based geopolymers, » Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 21, Art. no. e03899, Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03899
- R. Bitar, N. Youssef, J. Chamoin, F. Hage Chehade, and D. Defer, « Simultaneous energy optimization of heating systems by multi-zone predictive control—Application to a residential building, » Buildings, vol. 14, no. 10, p. 3241, Oct. 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103241
- M. El-Khoury, E. Roziere, F. Grondin, M. Marcel, R. Cortas, and F. Hage Chehade, « A new protocol to evaluate the behaviour and durability of marine structures, » Ocean Engineering, vol. 302, Art. no. 117579, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.117579
- A. Safhi, A. Bouchikhi, P. Rivard, N-E Abirak, « Recycling dredged materials as sustainable construction resource: review », CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, 2023.
- A. Bravaix, G. Hamparsoumian, J. Sonzogni, H. Pitard, T. Garba-Seybou, E. Kussener, X. Federspiel, and F. Cacho, « CMOS scaling challenges for high performance and low power applications facing reliability criteria towards the decananometer range, » Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 2548, Art. no. 012003, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2548/1/012003
- M. Teib, A. Malherbe, and E. Kussener, « Multi-harvesting smart solution for self-powered wearable objects: System-level model and transistor-level design, » Integration, vol. 91, pp. 165–172, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vlsi.2023.03.010
- M. El-Khoury, E. Roziere, F. Grondin, R. Cortas, and F. Hage Chehade, « A non-linear multiscale chemo-mechanical model describing the delayed evolution of concrete structures in marine environments, » Mechanics & Industry, vol. 24, p. 25, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1051/meca/2023023
- J. El Hage, I. Shahrour, F. Hage Chehade, and F. Abi Farraj, « A comprehensive assessment of buildings for post-disaster sustainable reconstruction: A case study of Beirut Port, » Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 18, Art. no. 13433, Sept. 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813433
- F. Abi Farraj, T. Vidal, M. El Barrak, M. P. Cubaynes, F. Hage Chehade, and G. Escadeillas, « Investigation into the effect of replacing natural sand by normalized crushed sand on concrete performance, » Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-08221-w
- S. Hamdaoui, A. Bouchikhi, M. Mahdaoui, « Building hollow clay bricks embedding PCM: Heat transfer management and thermal optimization », Journal of Solar Energy, 2022.
- M. El-Khoury, E. Roziere, F. Grondin, R. Cortas, and F. Hage Chehade, « Experimental evaluation of the effect of cement type and seawater salinity on concrete offshore structures, » Construction and Building Materials, vol. 322, Art. no. 126471, Jan. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126471
Conference participation
- J. Xavier, A. Bouchikhi, T. Bocassni, E. Kouassi, H. Pitard, L. Yushchenko, and E. Kussener, « Évaluation non destructive des dégradations d’un parking en revêtement béton à l’aide d’un géoradar : cas d’étude et recommandations, » presented at the RUGC Conference, Jun. 2026.
- A. Bouchikhi, A. Safhi, W. Maherzi, N-E Abriak, « Innovations in Heavy Metal Stabilization: Comparative Analysis of Zinc Immobilization in Glass-Portland Cement Composites », I2SM 2026 9th International Symposium on Sediment Management, Hammamet, Tunisia, Jun. 2026.
- E. Kouassi, H. Pitard, L. Girod, E. Courdouan, E. Kussener, A. Bouchikhi, L. Yushchenko, T. Colombo, « Integrated BIM 4.0 and IoT Framework for Real-Time Monitoring and Alerting of Environmental Pollutant Release », I2SM 2026 9th International Symposium on Sediment Management, Hammamet, Tunisia, Jun. 2026.
- A. Bouchikhi, L. Yushchenko, and Z. Mezroui, « On representation numbers by quaternary quadratic forms of level 32 with discriminants 32 and 64, » in Proc. Franco-Moroccan Mathematics Days, May 2025.
- A. Bouchikhi, J. Xavier, T. Bocassni, E. Kouassi, H. Pitard, L. Yushchenko, and E. Kussener, « Évaluation non destructive des dégradations d’un parking en revêtement béton à l’aide d’un géoradar : cas d’étude et recommandations, » presented at the RUGC Conference, Jun. 2025.
- E. Kussener, H. Pitard, E. Kouassi, A. Bouchikhi, T. Colombo, L. Yushchenko, and P. Zimbardo, « Smart cards and buildings: Two opposing worlds with security convergence, » in Proc. Physics Conference, Aix-en-Provence, France, May 2025.
- A. Bouchikhi, L. Yushchenko, and Z. Mezroui, « On representation numbers by quaternary quadratic forms of level 32 with discriminants 32 and 64, » in Proc. Franco-Moroccan Mathematics Days, May 2025.
- A. Bouchikhi, L. Yushchenko, E. Kussener, and F. Hage Chehade, « Artificial intelligence (AI) in the circular economy, » in Proc. I2SM VIII Int. Symp. on Sediment Management, Jul. 2024.
Industry conferences
- Environment, in partnership with the French National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (SNBPE) / M. Martinez (SNBPE), L. Bourbon (BPE PACA)
- Low-carbon concrete, a reality in Marseille? / S. Martin (Bozzo Perasso), N. Luttringer (Bozzo Perasso), A. Safhi (Ostfold Univ. College)
- Testimony on sustainable construction, in partnership with the Cité des métiers de Marseille / E. Kussener, A. Bouchikhi
- The role of digital technology in sustainable construction, in partnership with the Cité des métiers de Marseille / L. Yushchenko, H. Pitard, E. Kouassi, A. Bouchikhi
- Awareness workshop on the circular economy and sustainable construction / L. Yushchenko, H. Pitard, E. Kouassi, A. Bouchikhi
Conference organizing committees
- 1st International Congress on Materials Science and Engineering for Sustainable Development (ICSME-SD 2026), held on January 2–3, 2026 in Casablanca
- I2SM 2026 – 9th International Symposium on Sediment Management, June 9–11, 2026 in Hammamet (Tunisia)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
LabI2TEC (Research Laboratory for Smart Infrastructure and Connected Environment Technologies) is the research laboratory founded in 2024 by ISBA TP and École Pratique, the two schools of the CCIAMP network.
ISBA TP’s research, within LabI2TEC, is organized around two areas: environmental modeling (soil-structure interactions, materials and ecological impact) and predictive BIM modeling (sensors, artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, evolving BIM model).
Companies wishing to collaborate with the LabI2TEC laboratory can contact ISBA TP on +33 (0)4 91 39 33 86 or at isba@isba.fr to define the terms of a research partnership.
Yes. ISBA TP’s LabI2TEC laboratory conducts applied research for construction companies: research partnerships, funding of CIFRE industrial PhDs, solving technical issues or joint R&D projects on smart and sustainable infrastructure.
Through LabI2TEC, ISBA TP has expertise in environmental modeling (soil-structure interactions, ecological materials) and in BIM modeling and predictive maintenance (sensors, AI, predictive maintenance), which can be mobilized for companies’ innovation projects.