In this study, coal combustion by-products mainly fly ash, commercial fibers and a natural fiber i.e., human hair were applied to stabilize the kaolinite clay and local Carbondale soil i.e., silty clay. During recent decades, the demand for infrastructures such as highways, buildings, bridges have greatly increased, especially in the areas where population was growing rapidly. All of these infrastructures need a stable foundation and in many cases the original land couldn't sustain the load from the infrastructures. In such situation, soil stabilization becomes an essential step before the foundation is laid. There are several ways to stabilize soil, viz., mechanical stabilization, chemical stabilization, stabilization by inclusion and confinement etc. It has been reported by several researchers that fly ash and fibers can significantly improve the strength of soil. Fly ash and natural fiber i.e., human hair are both waste materials, and commercial fibers are low-cost compared to other soil stabilizers. In this study, class C fly ash was used to stabilize commercially available clay i.e., Kaolinite; while both human hair and commercially available fibers (e.g., glass fiber and plastic fiber) were used to stabilize Kaolinite and Carbondale local soil. Based on this research, it could be concluded that the class C fly ash can improve the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) value of Kaolinite clay significantly; fibers also could increase the UCS value of both Kaolinite and Carbondale local soil. While, the tensile strength of Kaolinite and Carbondale local soil sometimes increases or decreases depending on the percentages of fiber content used into Kaolinite and Carbondale local soil. The current research on soil stabilization by fly ash and those fibers may provide a new possibility for soil stabilization.

The present work describes investigations on the anisotropic strength behavior of rocks in the splitting tensile test (Brazilian test). Three transversely isotropic rocks (gneiss, slate and sandstone) were studied in the Lab. A total of more than 550 indirect tensile strength tests were conducted, with emphasis was placed on the investigation of the influence of the spatial position of anisotropic weakness plane to the direction of the load on the fracture strength and fracture or fracture mode. In parallel, analytical solutions were evaluated for stress distribution and developed 3D numerical models to study the stress distribution and the fracture mode at the transversely isotropic disc. There were new findings on the fracture mode of crack propagation, the influence of the disc thickness, the influence of the applying loading angle and angle of the loading-foliation for transversely isotropic material. / Inhalt der Arbeit sind Untersuchungen zum anisotropen Festigkeitsverhalten von Gesteinen beim Spaltzugversuch (Brazilian Test). Laborativ wurden drei transversalisotrope Gesteine (Granit, Schiefer und Sandstein) untersucht. Insgesamt wurden mehr als 550 Spaltzugversuche durchgeführt, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf die Untersuchung des Einflusses der räumlichen Lage der Anisotropieebene zur Richtung des Lasteintrages auf die Bruchfestigkeit und das Bruchbild bzw. den Bruchmodus gelegt wurde. Parallel dazu wurden analytische Lösungen zur Spannungsverteilung ausgewertet sowie numerische 3D-Modelle entwickelt, um die Spannungsverteilung sowie den Bruchmodus bei einer transversalisotropen Scheibe zu untersuchen. Es wurden neue Erkenntnisse zum Bruchmodus, der Rissausbreitung, des Einflusses der Scheibendicke, dem Einfluss des Lasteinleitungswinkel sowie des Winkels Lasteintrag - Anisotropieebene für transversalisotropes Material gewonnen.

The present work describes investigations on the anisotropic strength behavior of rocks in the splitting tensile test (Brazilian test). Three transversely isotropic rocks (gneiss, slate and sandstone) were studied in the Lab. A total of more than 550 indirect tensile strength tests were conducted, with emphasis was placed on the investigation of the influence of the spatial position of anisotropic weakness plane to the direction of the load on the fracture strength and fracture or fracture mode. In parallel, analytical solutions were evaluated for stress distribution and developed 3D numerical models to study the stress distribution and the fracture mode at the transversely isotropic disc. There were new findings on the fracture mode of crack propagation, the influence of the disc thickness, the influence of the applying loading angle and angle of the loading-foliation for transversely isotropic material.:ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5 ABSTRACT 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 LIST OF FIGURES 13 LIST OF TABLES 19 I. INTRODUCTION 21 Objective of this work 22 Scope of work 23 Research procedure 23 Significance of the work 24 Layout 24 1 STATE OF THE ART 27 1.1 Review of the Brazilian tensile strength test 27 1.1.1 General overview 27 1.1.2 Development of the Brazilian tensile strength test 29 1.1.3 The Brazilian tensile strength test on anisotropic rocks 31 1.1.4 Summary 32 1.2 Analytical aspects 33 1.2.1 Hypotheses for the conventional Brazilian test 34 1.2.2 Failure criteria 36 1.2.3 Crack initiation and propagation 39 1.2.4 Summary 41 1.3 Numerical considerations 41 1.3.1 Numerical methods 42 1.3.2 Summary 42 1.4 Conclusion 43 2 DIAMETRAL COMPRESSION IN A SOLID DISC – COMPILATION OF ANALYTICAL AND SEMI-ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS 45 2.1 Introduction 45 2.2 Diametral compressive stress distribution in an isotropic elastic disc 45 2.2.1 Elastic theory of line load 46 2.2.2 2D analytical solutions 47 2.2.3 3D disc under line and diametral compressive distributed loads 55 2.2.4 3D solution under diametral compressive distributed load 56 2.3 Stress and strain in an isotropic solid disc 59 2.4 Stress and strain in anisotropic rocks 61 2.5 Conclusion 65 3 LABORATORY TESTS 69 3.1 Introduction 69 3.2 Laboratory test program 70 3.3 Sample preparation 71 3.4 Ultrasonic measurements 72 3.5 Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests 73 3.5.1 Uniaxial compression test 73 3.5.2 Triaxial compression tests 74 3.6 Brazilian tensile strength tests 76 3.6.1 Test apparatus 76 3.6.2 Laboratory test results 77 3.6.3 Interpretation of the test results 89 3.7 Conclusion 96 4 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ISOTROPIC MATERIALS - COMPARISON WITH ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS 97 4.1 Introduction 97 4.2 Numerical simulation of isotropic materials 97 4.2.1 FLAC3D simulation program 97 4.2.2 Simulation procedure 98 4.2.3 Numerical model setup 98 4.2.4 Influence of mesh type 99 4.2.5 Influence of specimen thickness 100 4.2.6 Influence of Poisson’s ratio 102 4.2.7 Influence of loading angle (2) 106 4.2.8 Comparison of 3D analytical and numerical results 110 4.2.9 Influence of stress concentration at the loading jaws 112 4.3 Comparison with experimental results of Postaer Sandstone (FG.Ss) 112 4.4 Conclusion 114 5 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ANISOTROPIC MATERIALS - COMPARISON WITH LABORATORY TESTS 117 5.1 Introduction 117 5.2 General procedure for simulating the Brazilian test using FLAC3D 117 5.2.1 Conceptual model 119 5.2.2 Boundary Conditions 119 5.2.3 Numerical model set-up 120 5.3 Constitutive model 121 5.3.1 Choice of constitutive model 121 5.3.2 Bilinear Strain-Hardening/Softening Ubiquitous-Joint Model [98] 121 5.4 Parameter calibration 124 5.4.1 Material parameters used 124 5.4.2 Contact between disc and loading jaws 126 5.4.3 Post-failure deformation properties 128 5.4.4 Tension cut-off 129 5.5 Numerical simulation results 131 5.5.1 Introduction 131 5.5.2 Stress distribution and failure state 133 5.5.3 Stress state in an isotropic elastic medium with arbitrary orientation planes 136 5.5.4 Plasticity states 139 5.5.5 Damage and fracture process 141 5.5.6 Fracture patterns – Comparison of lab results and numerical simulations 148 5.6 Tensile strength – Comparison of lab results and numerical simulations 149 5.6.1 Tensile strength of Le.Gs Gneiss 150 5.6.2 Tensile strength of My.Sc Slate 155 5.7 Summary and Review 159 5.7.1 Potential failure state deduced from pure elastic considerations 159 5.7.2 Tensile strength distribution 160 5.7.3 Tensile strength – determining the anisotropy factor 161 5.7.4 Tensile strength – different procedures - different results 163 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 165 APPENDICES 171 Appendix 3.1 - Fracture patterns in FG.Ss samples 171 Appendix 3.2 - Fracture patterns in FG.Gs samples 177 Appendix 3.3 - Fracture patterns in Le.Gs samples 183 Appendix 3.4 - Fracture patterns in My.Sc samples 190 Appendix 4.1 - Influence of loading angle 197 Appendix 4.2 - Influence of material properties 203 Appendix 5.1 - Failure zone state in Le.Gs Gneiss 209 Appendix 5.2: Failure zone state in My.Sc Slate 216 REFERENCES 223 / Inhalt der Arbeit sind Untersuchungen zum anisotropen Festigkeitsverhalten von Gesteinen beim Spaltzugversuch (Brazilian Test). Laborativ wurden drei transversalisotrope Gesteine (Granit, Schiefer und Sandstein) untersucht. Insgesamt wurden mehr als 550 Spaltzugversuche durchgeführt, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf die Untersuchung des Einflusses der räumlichen Lage der Anisotropieebene zur Richtung des Lasteintrages auf die Bruchfestigkeit und das Bruchbild bzw. den Bruchmodus gelegt wurde. Parallel dazu wurden analytische Lösungen zur Spannungsverteilung ausgewertet sowie numerische 3D-Modelle entwickelt, um die Spannungsverteilung sowie den Bruchmodus bei einer transversalisotropen Scheibe zu untersuchen. Es wurden neue Erkenntnisse zum Bruchmodus, der Rissausbreitung, des Einflusses der Scheibendicke, dem Einfluss des Lasteinleitungswinkel sowie des Winkels Lasteintrag - Anisotropieebene für transversalisotropes Material gewonnen.:ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5 ABSTRACT 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 LIST OF FIGURES 13 LIST OF TABLES 19 I. INTRODUCTION 21 Objective of this work 22 Scope of work 23 Research procedure 23 Significance of the work 24 Layout 24 1 STATE OF THE ART 27 1.1 Review of the Brazilian tensile strength test 27 1.1.1 General overview 27 1.1.2 Development of the Brazilian tensile strength test 29 1.1.3 The Brazilian tensile strength test on anisotropic rocks 31 1.1.4 Summary 32 1.2 Analytical aspects 33 1.2.1 Hypotheses for the conventional Brazilian test 34 1.2.2 Failure criteria 36 1.2.3 Crack initiation and propagation 39 1.2.4 Summary 41 1.3 Numerical considerations 41 1.3.1 Numerical methods 42 1.3.2 Summary 42 1.4 Conclusion 43 2 DIAMETRAL COMPRESSION IN A SOLID DISC – COMPILATION OF ANALYTICAL AND SEMI-ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS 45 2.1 Introduction 45 2.2 Diametral compressive stress distribution in an isotropic elastic disc 45 2.2.1 Elastic theory of line load 46 2.2.2 2D analytical solutions 47 2.2.3 3D disc under line and diametral compressive distributed loads 55 2.2.4 3D solution under diametral compressive distributed load 56 2.3 Stress and strain in an isotropic solid disc 59 2.4 Stress and strain in anisotropic rocks 61 2.5 Conclusion 65 3 LABORATORY TESTS 69 3.1 Introduction 69 3.2 Laboratory test program 70 3.3 Sample preparation 71 3.4 Ultrasonic measurements 72 3.5 Uniaxial and triaxial compression tests 73 3.5.1 Uniaxial compression test 73 3.5.2 Triaxial compression tests 74 3.6 Brazilian tensile strength tests 76 3.6.1 Test apparatus 76 3.6.2 Laboratory test results 77 3.6.3 Interpretation of the test results 89 3.7 Conclusion 96 4 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ISOTROPIC MATERIALS - COMPARISON WITH ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS 97 4.1 Introduction 97 4.2 Numerical simulation of isotropic materials 97 4.2.1 FLAC3D simulation program 97 4.2.2 Simulation procedure 98 4.2.3 Numerical model setup 98 4.2.4 Influence of mesh type 99 4.2.5 Influence of specimen thickness 100 4.2.6 Influence of Poisson’s ratio 102 4.2.7 Influence of loading angle (2) 106 4.2.8 Comparison of 3D analytical and numerical results 110 4.2.9 Influence of stress concentration at the loading jaws 112 4.3 Comparison with experimental results of Postaer Sandstone (FG.Ss) 112 4.4 Conclusion 114 5 NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ANISOTROPIC MATERIALS - COMPARISON WITH LABORATORY TESTS 117 5.1 Introduction 117 5.2 General procedure for simulating the Brazilian test using FLAC3D 117 5.2.1 Conceptual model 119 5.2.2 Boundary Conditions 119 5.2.3 Numerical model set-up 120 5.3 Constitutive model 121 5.3.1 Choice of constitutive model 121 5.3.2 Bilinear Strain-Hardening/Softening Ubiquitous-Joint Model [98] 121 5.4 Parameter calibration 124 5.4.1 Material parameters used 124 5.4.2 Contact between disc and loading jaws 126 5.4.3 Post-failure deformation properties 128 5.4.4 Tension cut-off 129 5.5 Numerical simulation results 131 5.5.1 Introduction 131 5.5.2 Stress distribution and failure state 133 5.5.3 Stress state in an isotropic elastic medium with arbitrary orientation planes 136 5.5.4 Plasticity states 139 5.5.5 Damage and fracture process 141 5.5.6 Fracture patterns – Comparison of lab results and numerical simulations 148 5.6 Tensile strength – Comparison of lab results and numerical simulations 149 5.6.1 Tensile strength of Le.Gs Gneiss 150 5.6.2 Tensile strength of My.Sc Slate 155 5.7 Summary and Review 159 5.7.1 Potential failure state deduced from pure elastic considerations 159 5.7.2 Tensile strength distribution 160 5.7.3 Tensile strength – determining the anisotropy factor 161 5.7.4 Tensile strength – different procedures - different results 163 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 165 APPENDICES 171 Appendix 3.1 - Fracture patterns in FG.Ss samples 171 Appendix 3.2 - Fracture patterns in FG.Gs samples 177 Appendix 3.3 - Fracture patterns in Le.Gs samples 183 Appendix 3.4 - Fracture patterns in My.Sc samples 190 Appendix 4.1 - Influence of loading angle 197 Appendix 4.2 - Influence of material properties 203 Appendix 5.1 - Failure zone state in Le.Gs Gneiss 209 Appendix 5.2: Failure zone state in My.Sc Slate 216 REFERENCES 223

The role of surface chemical effects in hydraulic fracturing of shale is studied using the results of unconfined compression tests and Brazilian tests on Mancos shale- cored at depths of 20-60 ft. The rock mineralogy, total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity were determined in order to characterize the shale. Adsorption tests to study the interaction of the shale and aqueous fluid mixture were also carried out using surface tension measurements. The uniaxial compressive strengths and tensile strengths of individual shale samples after four hours exposure to water, 2.85 x 10^-3 M cationic surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide-DTAB) and 2.81 x 10^-3 M anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate-SDBS) were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. These mechanical strengths were largely reduced on exposure to the aqueous environments studied, despite the relatively low clay and low swelling clay content of the Mancos shale. Further comparison of the uniaxial compressive strengths and tensile strengths of the shale on exposure to water, to the strengths when exposed to the surfactant solutions showed that their difference was not statistically significant indicating that exposure to water had the greatest effect on strength loss. The surface tension measurement of 2.85 x 10^-4 M DTAB and 2.81 x 10^-4 M SDBS solutions before and after equilibration with shale showed about 80% increase in surface tension in the DTAB solution and 10% increase in surface tension in the SDBS solution. The probable sorption mechanism is electrostatic attraction with negatively charged sites of the shale as shown by significant loss of the cationic surfactant (DTAB) to the shale surface, and the relatively minor adsorption capacity of the anionic surfactant (SDBS). Although these adsorption tests indicate interaction between the shale and surfactant solutions, within the number of tests carried out and the surfactant concentration used, the interaction does not translate into a significant statistical difference for impacts of surfactants on mechanical strength of this shale compared to the impact of water alone. The relevance of this work is to facilitate the understanding of how the strength of rock can be reduced by the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids, to achieve improved fracture performance and higher recovery of natural gas from shale reservoirs.

[pt] Esta dissertação trata da realização e comparação das diferentes configurações de aplicação de carga no Ensaio Brasileiro com discos de argamassa cimentícia. Desenvolvido por (Carneiro 1943) o ensaio brasileiro busca avaliar a resistência a tração dos materiais de maneira indireta. As configurações de ensaio estudadas são: aplicação direta de carga, utilização de ripas de madeira entre o disco e a máquina, utilização de tiras de papelão entre o corpo de prova e a máquina, emprego de mordentes de aço envolvendo o disco, utilização de barras de aço entre o disco e a máquina e uma mudança na geometria do disco com cortes retos nas extremidades superior e inferior do mesmo. Para analisar a abertura de fissuras, fotos foram tiradas ao longo do ensaio. Uma das faces do disco foi caracterizada com padrão pontilhado a fim de possibilitar a análise por meio de correlação digital de imagem (DIC) utilizando-se o programa GOM Correlate. A análise experimental de maneira geral foi satisfatória, exceto os resultados com o uso de mordentes de aço, pois as rigidezes iniciais dos discos ensaiados nessa condição de aplicação de carga foram bem distintas. Não foi possível a análise da abertura de fissura nos estágios iniciais por DIC. Além dos ensaios brasileiros, foram realizados ensaios de compressão uniaxial para obter as propriedades mecânicas do material, como módulo de elasticidade e coeficiente de Poisson. Realizou-se um estudo numérico para as condições de aplicação direta de carga e com o uso de mordentes de aço, a fim de avaliar a distribuição de tensões no corpo de prova e comparar com os resultados experimentais. Utilizou-se o programa Abaqus para a simulação numérica de elementos finitos com elementos de contínuo 2D e de interface para permitir a formação de fissuras. Em ambas as configurações de ensaio os resultados numéricos foram bastante próximos dos resultados experimentais. / [en] This study consists in the realization and comparison of the different configurations of the Brazilian test proposed in the literature. Developed by Carneiro (1943) the Brazilian test seeks to evaluate the tensile strength of materials indirectly. The tested configurations are: direct load application, use of wood slats between the disc and the machine, use of cardboard strips between the specimen and the machine, use of steel jaws surrounding the disk, use of steel bars between the disk and the machine and a change in the geometry of the disk with straight cuts on the upper and lower ends of the disk. In order to analyze the crack opening, photos were taken throughout test. One of the faces of the specimen was characterized with a speckled pattern to allow the analysis through the digital correlation of images performed using the GOM Correlate program. Experimental results were generally satisfactory, except for those with steel jaws, since the initial stiffness of the discs tested were quite different. It was not possible to visualize the appearance of cracks in the early stages of the tests through DIC analysis. In addition to the Brazilian tests, uniaxial compression tests were performed to obtain the mechanical properties of the material, such as modulus of elasticity and Poisson s ratio. A numerical study was performed with the boundary conditions of direct application of load and the use of steel jaws, in order to assess stress distribution and compare with the experimental results. The Abaqus program was used for numerical simulation. The disks were modeled with 2D continuum elements and interface elements represent the fractures. The numerical results were in good agreement with the corresponding experiments.

Les conducteurs mixtes (MIECs) sont des matériaux prometteurs pour la réalisation de membranes séparatrices de l’oxygène de l’air à haute température. Cette séparation s’effectue par semi-Perméation de l’oxygène à travers la membrane. Ce phénomène induit un gradient de potentiel chimique à l’origine de la rupture de certaines membranes. La prévision des gradients en service et la connaissance des propriétés mécaniques sont essentielles pour la prévision de la fiabilité des futurs sites de production. La semi-Perméation suit la théorie de Wagner en volume, mais aucun consensus n'excite pour les échanges en surface. En outre, les modèles d’échanges en surface décrivent l'état stationnaire, et ne peuvent être étendus au régime transitoire. Dans cette thèse, un nouveau modèle d'échange de surface est proposé. Il prend en compte l'association / dissociation de l'oxygène et le coût énergétique élevé de réduction / oxydation de l’oxygène par l’introduction de la conservation d’une espèce chimique transitoire seulement présente à la surface. Ce modèle permet de reproduire les états stationnaires et transitoires. En parallèle, un dispositif expérimental de caractérisation des propriétés mécaniques des MIECs a été développé à 900°C. L’essai mis en place est un essai « pseudo brésilien » instrumenté par une mesure optique. Le post-Traitement s’effectue par une méthode « Integrated Digital Image Correlation ». Les propriétés élastiques de sept nuances de conducteurs mixtes ont pu ainsi être caractérisées. / Mixed Conductors (MIECs) are promising membrane materials for oxygen separating from air at high temperature. The oxygen semi-Permeation is the most important property of the membrane. This property induces a chemical potential gradient, which is the origin of some membrane ruptures. Forecasting gradients in service and the knowledge of MIECs mechanical properties are necessary for predict the reliability of future power plants. While the diffusion is well described by the Wagner theory, no consensus has yet emerged regarding the surface exchange models proposed in the literature. Furthermore, these models describe the stationary state, and cannot be extended to the transient stage. In this thesis, a new surface exchange model is proposed. This model takes into account the association/dissociation of oxygen and the high energetic cost of oxygen reduction/oxidation thanks to the balance of a transient species only present at the surface. This model can reproduce stationary state and transient stage. In parallel, a test device for characterizing the mechanical properties of the MIECs has been developed at 900 ° C. The test is “pseudo-Brazilian test” instrumented by an optical measurement. Post-Processing is carried out by a "Integrated Digital Image Correlation" method. The elastic properties of seven mixed conductors have been characterized.

Ce manuscrit de thèse porte sur l’élaboration de nouveaux matériaux pour la protection balistique grâce à l’apport du procédé de frittage flash. Il s’agit, en effet, d’associer deux composés possédant des températures de frittage éloignées, tels que l’alumine et l’aluminium, matériaux de référence utilisés dans la protection balistique.La première voie testée était un assemblage bi-matériau, réalisé par frittage d’une poudre d’aluminium sur un plot d’alumine préalablement fritté. Cette étude a permis d’observer la formation de la liaison alumine/aluminium par microscopie électronique à balayage et en transmission et d’optimiser les paramètres d’assemblage pour l’obtention d’un bi-matériau possédant une forte cohésion interfaciale. Des outils de caractérisation adaptés (diffraction des rayons X et indentation Vickers) ont mis en évidence des contraintes résiduelles dans la céramique qui résultent de la différence de coefficients de dilatation thermique entre les deux composés lors du refroidissement du bi-matériau. Ces assemblages ont également fait l’objet d’essais statiques (essais de traction indirects) et d’essais dynamiques (tirs balistiques). Ces essais ont démontré la très grandec ohésion des assemblages et ont permis de valider la pertinence de l’étude de matériaux de protection balistique par des essais statiques, qui sont plus faciles à mettre en oeuvre.L’autre voie envisagée était de fritter en une seule étape un matériau à gradient de composition, de l’alumine pure à l'aluminium pur avec une interphase constituée de mélanges alumine/aluminium. D’un point de vue technique, le frittage flash a démontré sa capacité à générer un gradient de température de plusieurs centaines de degrés à l’intérieur d’un échantillon de quelques millimètres de haut, grâce à l'utilisation d'un moulede forme spécifique. Malheureusement, la mauvaise mouillabilité de l’alumine par l’aluminium n’a pas permis d’abaisser la température de frittage des mélanges alumine/aluminium par rapport à l’alumine pure. Elle a au contraire conduit à augmenter la température de frittage des mélanges de ~200 °C, empêchant l’élaboration du matériau à gradient de composition. Cette voie a tout de même permis l’élaboration de composites denses (>99 %) à matrice d'alumine avec de faibles quantités d'aluminium, de l'ordre de 5 % en masse. / This dissertation describes the synthesis of new components for ballistic protection with the assistance of flash sintering. Indeed, the objective is to associate two compounds showing very different sintering temperatures – such as alumina and aluminum, two reference materials for ballistic protection applications.The first synthesis method tested was the elaboration of a bi-material via the sintering of aluminump owder on alumina bulks. This study permitted to observe the formation of the alumina/aluminum bonding by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and to optimize the assembly parameters in order to obtain a bimaterials howing a strong interfacial cohesion. Adapted characterization techniques (X-rays diffraction and Vickers indentation) revealed residual stresses inside the ceramic that stemmed from the difference of thermal expansion coefficients between the two compounds during the cooling of the bi-material. Moreover, these assemblies have been tested with static (indirect tensile) tests and dynamic (ballistic) tests. These tests evincedthe very strong cohesion of the assemblies and permitted to confirm the relevance of static tests, which are easierto set up, for the evaluation of materials for ballistic protection.The other synthesis method considered was the one step sintering of a material displaying a gradient of composition, from pure alumina to pure aluminum with an interphase constituted by alumina/aluminum combinations. From a technical point of view, the flash sintering process proved capable of generating a thermal gradient of several hundreds of degrees inside a sample a few millimeters high, thanks to the use of a specific shape die. Unfortunately, the limited wetting of alumina by aluminum prevents the sintering of the alumina/aluminum mixtures from temperatures being lower than that of pure alumina. On the contrary, this limited wetting leads to an increase in the sintering temperature of the composites of ~200 °C and prevents the preparation of a material showing a composition gradient. Nevertheless, this method permits the synthesis of dense alumina composites (<99 %) containing ~5 wt.% aluminum.