Patrice Mériaux is a research engineer with 25 years' experience in civil engineering and natural risks management both in mountain areas and lowlands. For 5 years, he has been a member of the French Committee on Dams and Reservoirs. As head of the "Hydraulics engineering and hydrology" Research Unit at Cemagref in Aix-en-Provence, France, he has become an expert in dam and dike safety and his scientific activity has focused on developing and enhancing diagnostic methods for earth dams and dikes.
He is also the co-author of a number of French practical guides on the subject of dam and dike safety and diagnosis, two of them having been recently translated into English. Graduated from Ecole Centrale Paris and ENGREF, Paul Royet has a 30 years' experience in civil engineering, especially in dams and dikes, in France as well as abroad. He works in Cemagref, research unit Hydraulics engineering and hydrology, where he is the scientific coordinator of the research and expertise activities.
He is member of French Committee on Dams and Reservoirs, contributes to ICOLD activities and is the author of several books on safety and surveillance of dams and dikes. He teaches Soil Mechanics and coordinates training courses on safety of hydraulic works.