Luca's principal research interests include the development and use of physics-​based computational simulations to characterize and understand earthquake physics, fault mechanics, mechanics of porous media, lithospheric deformation and seismicity, and surface evolution.

At the BedrettoLab, Luca has been focused on advancing the frontiers of our understanding of earthquake source processes. His group is responsible for developing physics-based modeling tools that simulate fault slip, fluid-flow, and poroelastic effects in a highly integrated manner. Within the context of the FEAR project, these models are employed to simulate fluid injection experiments conducted at the BedrettoLab. Luca's work aims to gain invaluable insights into how earthquakes start and stop.

Specifically, Luca's models shed light on the complex interactions between hydraulic stimulation and stress modification, allowing us to understand how small, non-damaging earthquakes—measured at approximately magnitude ~1.0 events on fault patches of 10-50m scale—can be initiated in the vicinity of the Bedretto tunnel. These numerical experiments will provide new near-field perspectives into the physics of earthquake processes, significantly contributing to our efforts to extend the boundaries of current earthquake predictability.

The research conducted in the tunnel will primarily focus on earthquake physics, benefiting from its close proximity to a natural fault zone. With the new side tunnel, ETH Zurich will maintain a worldwide unique research facility for earthquake research.

After about three months, the construction will be interrupted for an engineering research project (Precode), which focusses on how the surrounding rock mass responds to the tunneling itself. The expected completion date for the tunnel is January 2025.

The construction cost of 2.5 million CHF is covered by the FEAR EU Synergy Grant. The tunnel excavation is carried out by ARGE Consorzio Cristallina (Ennio Ferrari SA and Infra Tunnel SA).