Résumé : L’utilisation des cendres volantes générées par la combustion de biomasse présente une solution très prometteuse pour la conception de bétons écologiques de haute performance. Cependant, leur comportement dans un milieu cimentaire est encore peu étudié. Ce projet est concentré sur la compréhension des processus d’hydratation d’un système cimentaire contenant les cendres volantes de biomasse disponibles localement. Lors du programme expérimental, la caractérisation physico-chimique des cendres volantes étudiées a d’abord été réalisée. Ensuite, leur effet sur les propriétés rhéologiques, la cinétique d’hydratation, l’évolution des hydrates avec le temps et le développement des résistances ont été examinés. Les systèmes étudiés sont des pâtes et des mortiers avec différents taux de remplacement de ciment par les cendres volantes et deux rapports eau/liant de 0,5 et 0,4 en absence et en présence de superplastifiant. La variation des propriétés physico-chimiques de différents échantillons des cendres volantes (finesse, teneur en chaux libre, en sulfates et en calcite) a été utilisée pour déterminer l’effet de chacun de ces paramètres sur les performances des mélanges. Le remplacement partiel du ciment par les cendres volantes de biomasse entraine des changements sur la rhéologie, la cinétique d’hydratation, la composition des hydrates et la microstructure des pâtes hydratées. De plus, certains problèmes de compatibilité entre les cendres volantes et les superplastifiants sont observés. En se basant sur l’analyse des résultats obtenus, les explications des phénomènes qui se produisent dans les systèmes cimentaires contenant les cendres volantes de biomasse sont proposées. / Abstract : The use of wastepaper sludge ash (WSA) represents a very promising solution for ecological high performance concrete design. However, the effect of WSA on cementitious systems properties is still insufficiently studied. The present project intends to understand the hydration process in Portland cement systems containing locally available WSA. The experimental program begins with characterization of WSA physico-chemical properties. Then, the effect of WSA on rheology, hydration kinetics, hydration products evolution over time and strength development in cement blends is investigated. The systems discussed here are cement pastes and mortars with different cement replacement by WSA ratio and two water to binder ratio (0,5 and 0,4) with and without superplasticizer. The variation of physico-chemical properties (fineness; free lime, sulphate and calcite content) between different WSA samples was used to determine the effect of each of these parameters on blended cement performances. Partial cement replacement by WSA leads to changes in rheology, hydration kinetics, composition of the hydrates and microstructure of hydrated pastes. Moreover, some incompatibility problems between WSA and superplasticizers used are observed. Based on experimental results analysis, the explanations of the phenomena taking place in cement systems containing WSA are proposed.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Hayder A. Rasheed / Throughout history natural fiber was used as one of the main building materials all over the world. Because the use of such materials has decreased in the last century, not much research has been conducted to investigate their performance as a reinforcing material in cement and concrete. In order to investigate one of the most common natural fibers, wheat fibers, as a reinforcing material, 156 mortar specimens and 99 concrete specimens were tested. The specimens were tested in either uniaxial compression or flexure. The uniaxial compression test included 2 in (50.8 mm) mortar cubes and 4x8 in (101.6 x 203.2 mm) concrete cylinders. As for the flexure test, they were either 40x40x160 mm cementitious matrix prisms or 6x6x21 in (152.4x152.4x533.4 mm) concrete prisms. Several wheat fibers percentages were studied and compared with polypropylene fiber as a benchmarking alternative. The average increase in the uniaxial compression strength for cementitious matrix cubes reinforced with 0.5% long wheat fiber exceeded that of their counterparts reinforced with polypropylene fiber by 15%. Whereas for concrete cylinders reinforced with 0.75% long wheat fiber, their strength exceeded that of their counterparts reinforced with polypropylene fiber by 5% and that of the control by 7%. The flexural strength of cementitious matrix prisms reinforced with 0.75% long wheat fiber exceeded that of their counterparts reinforced with polypropylene fiber by 27%. Meanwhile, concrete prisms reinforced with both long wheat fiber and polypropylene fiber showed deterioration in strength of up to 17%. Finally, ABAQUS models were developed for concrete cylinders and prisms to simulate the effect of inclusion of the wheat fibers.

O reforço de elementos estruturais de concreto armado com uso de polímeros reforçados com fibras de carbono (PRFC) está cada vez mais conhecido, seguro e acessível. Em todo o mundo, a aplicação do PRFC vem sendo estudada sob diversas técnicas. Características como elevada resistência à tração e à corrosão, baixo peso, facilidade e rapidez de aplicação são os principais fatores para essa disseminação. Em particular, a técnica aqui estudada é conhecida como Near Surface Mounted (NSM), que consiste na inserção de laminados de PRFC em entalhes realizados no concreto de cobrimento de elementos de concreto armado. Com dupla área de aderência, ela vem a suprir uma deficiência comum no reforço colado externamente, que é o seu destacamento prematuro. Como nas demais técnicas de reforço à flexão, o material é colado na região do concreto tracionado. Sabe-se que, na prática da intervenção, essa região frequentemente encontra-se danificada por razões diversas, como fissuração causada por ações externas, corrosão da armadura e deterioração do concreto, o que exige a sua prévia reparação. Considerando que a boa qualidade desse reparo é imprescindível à eficiência do reforço, propõe-se uma inovação técnica pela reconstituição da face tracionada da viga com um compósito cimentício de alto desempenho, que sirva como substrato para aplicação do PRFC e elemento de transferência de esforços à estrutura a ser reforçada. Produzido à base de cimento Portland, fibras e microfibras de aço, o compósito tem também potencial para retardar a abertura de fissuras e aumentar a rigidez da viga, melhorando o aproveitamento do reforço. Com apoio da mecânica do fraturamento, foi possível encontrar as taxas de fibras e microfibras de aço a serem adicionadas a uma matriz cimentícia especialmente desenvolvida. Foram realizados ensaios de aderência para estudar o processo de transferência de tensões cisalhantes do laminado para o compósito na zona de ancoragem da viga. Uma vez conhecido o comportamento do sistema, foram ensaiadas vigas de concreto armado de tamanho representativo de estruturas reais, em três diferentes versões de ancoragem do laminado, sendo duas delas com uso do compósito cimentício. Comprovou-se a eficiência da inovação proposta, constatando-se o aumento da rigidez e da capacidade de carga da viga reforçada, com excelente aproveitamento do laminado. Além disso, as fibras e microfibras diminuíram a abertura das fissuras em estágios mais avançados de carregamento, sem que se observasse fissuras horizontais próxima ao reforço, que poderiam indicar destacamento iminente do laminado de PRFC. / Strengthening of reinforced concrete elements with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is increasingly well known, safe and accessible. The application of CFRP has been studied worldwide using various techniques. Features like high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, lightweightness and easy and speedy application are the main factors for dissemination. In particular, the technique here analyzed is known as Near Surface Mounted (NSM), which involves inserting CFRP strips into grooves made on the concrete cover of reinforced concrete elements. With double bonding area, this technique avoids the premature peeling-off that usually takes place in externally bonded CFRP reinforcement. As in others flexural strengthening techniques, the material is bonded in the concrete tension region. It is known in strengthening practice that this region usually requires prior repair. Often it shows up damaged by several reasons such as cracking caused by external actions, reinforcement corrosion and deterioration of the concrete. Whereas the good quality of this repair is essential to strengthening efficiency, an innovative technique is proposed. A high-performance cementitious composite is used as a transition layer for insertion of CFRP strips. The composite is made of Portland cement, steel fibers and microfibers of steel. It also has the potential to delay crack opening and to increase the beam stiffness. Based on fracture mechanics, it was possible to find suitable volume fractions of steel fibers and microfibers to be added to the cementitious matrix. Bonding tests were performed to analyze the shear stress transferring from the CFRP laminate to the beam anchorage zone. Once known the system behavior, real size reinforced concrete beams were tested in three different versions of the anchorage conditions, two of them with use of cementitious composites. The efficiency of the proposed innovation was proved by confirming increased stiffness and load capacity of the strengthened beam. In addition, fibers and microfibers allowed the decrease of the crack opening in later loading steps. No horizontal cracks near to the reinforcement were noticed, which means that CFRP laminate peeling-off was not likely to occur.

[pt] O uso de todos os tipos de amianto na construção civil tem diminuído drasticamente devido a problemas sérios de saúde associados a sua manipulação. De fato é previsto banir totalmente o seu uso, dentro de um curto espaço de tempo, nos países desenvolvidos bem como nos em desenvolvimento. Na necessidade de se encontrar um substituto adequado para o amianto, tem-se pesquisado compósitos de argamassa reforçada com fibras vegetais e polpas celulósicas. Devido ao processo de polpação, que remove as impurezas não celulósicas, como a lignina e a hemicelulose, diminuindo o ataque às fibras, sem a necessidade de recorrer a modificações na matriz cimentícia, as polpas celulósicas podem ser o substituto ideal para o amianto. Assim sendo, o principal objetivo desta dissertação é determinar experimentalmente as características mecânicas e os parâmetros de fratura de compósitos de matriz cimentícia reforçada por polpa de bambu refinada e sem refino. As polpas celulósicas foram utilizadas nas porcentagens de 8 e 14 por cento em relação à massa do cimento, porcentagens estas que, conforme a literatura, são associadas à otimização da energia absorvida no ensaio de flexão. A avaliação do comportamento mecânico dos compósitos considerados neste trabalho foi realizada através de ensaios de compressão e impacto, bem como de flexão em três pontos em espécimes não entalhados e em outros contendo entalhes de raios de curvatura diferentes. Propriedades mecânicas, tais como módulo de elasticidade, resistência à compressão, ao impacto e à flexão, bem como integral J na carga máxima, são apresentadas e discutidas em termos de aspectos microestruturais e fractográficos dos corpos de prova ensaiados. / [en] As handling and manipulation of asbestos pose grave health hazards, its use in civil construction has been drastically dwindling and will in fact be completely prohibited, in a few years, in developed countries. With the need arising to find an adequate substitute, vegetable fibers and cellulosic pulps have been considered to be viable alternatives. Taking into account the fact that the process for pulp production entails the removal of impurities, such as lignin and hemicellulose, cellulosic pulps seem to be the ideal substitute to asbestos, as their use does not necessitate modifications in the cementitious matrix. Accordingly, the purpose of this work is to experimentally determine basic mechanical characteristics and pertinent fracture parameters of bamboo pulp reinforced cement. Refined and non-refined pulps were used in the proportions of 8 and 14 percent of the weight of dry cement. These percentages were adopted as they imply, according to literature, in optimizing the energy absorbed by the composite in bend loading. Evaluation of the mechanical behavior of the composites considered in this work was realized by means of compression and impact testing. Three point bend tests were also carried out using unnotched as well as notched specimens of different notch root radii. Mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity, compressive, impact and bend strengths, and J integral at maximum load are presented and discussed in terms of pertinent microstructural and fractographic aspects of test specimens.

Mit zunehmendem Alter zeigt das Verbundverhalten von Multifilamentgarnen aus alkaliresistentem Glas (AR-Glas) oder Kohlenstoff in Abhängigkeit von der Zusammensetzung der zementgebundenen Matrix eine sehr unterschiedliche Entwicklung. Während bei AR-Glas teilweise drastische Verluste des Leistungsvermögens zu verzeichnen sind, treten diese bei Kohlefasern nicht auf. Zur Untersuchung der Phänomene wurden beidseitige Garnauszugversuche durchgeführt und die Interphase zwischen Filamenten und Matrix im Rasterelektronenmikroskop (ESEM) untersucht. Die unterschiedlichen mechanischen Eigenschaften stehen in Zusammenhang mit verschieden ausgeprägten Mikrostrukturen der Interphasen. Welche Ursachen die unterschiedliche morphologische Entwicklung der Interphasen hat, ist Gegenstand aktueller Arbeiten.

Les enceintes de confinement des centrales nucléaires sont conçues pour assurer des propriétés de confinement et d'étanchéité précises en situations d'usage normal et en cas d'accident nucléaire, afin d'éviter la dissémination de radioéléments dans l'environnement. Ces enceintes étant construites en béton, la maîtrise de l'évaluation de la perméabilité du béton et de ses évolutions sous contraintes permettrait d'évaluer les débits de fuite susceptibles d'intervenir dans le temps sous certaines sollicitations. Jusqu'aujourd'hui, il existe plusieurs techniques de mesure de la perméabilité et ces techniques aboutissent à des résultats différents pour une même éprouvette de béton. La première étude que nous avons réalisée a été donc de proposer une normalisation de la mesure de la perméabilité : cette normalisation a abouti à la détermination d'une perméabilité caractéristique du béton et indépendante de la technique de mesure. Parallèlement à cette démarche, nous avons aussi proposé d'évaluer la perméabilité du béton à l'aide d'observables du Contrôle Non Destructif comme la permittivité et la résistivité électrique. Les résultats obtenus montrent la possibilité d'estimer la perméabilité dans les conditions du béton sur site. La deuxième étude réalisée est relative à la maîtrise de la perméabilité sous contraintes. Au laboratoire, nous avons étudié la perméabilité d'éprouvettes en béton de différentes tailles dans diverses conditions de séchage, de sollicitation thermique, d'endommagements mécanique et couplés. Nous avons ainsi pu établir des modèles perméabilité-endommagements en fonction de chaque source d'endommagement. La troisième étude réalisé porte sur la transposition des résultats de laboratoire au site, à travers l'utilisation de maquette d'enceinte nucléaire de dimensions plus importantes et représentatives de l'ouvrage réel (VeRCoRs à l'échelle 1/3). L'ensemble des résultats des deux premières études ont été mise à contribution et ont permis d'aboutir à des calculs des débits de fuite et des Temps d'Etablissement du Régime Permanent d'Ecoulement cohérents avec les hypothèses de calculs. / The building reactor of the nuclear power plants are designed to provide precise containment and sealing properties in normal use situations and in the event of a nuclear accident, to prevent the spread of radioelements in the environment. Since these enclosures are made of concrete, controlling the evaluation of the permeability of concrete and its evolutions under stress would make it possible to evaluate the leakage rates that may occur over time under certain conditions. Until today, there are several techniques for measuring permeability and these techniques lead to different results for the same concrete specimen. The first study we carried out was therefore to propose a standardization of the permeability measurement: this standardization resulted in the determination of a characteristic permeability of concrete and independent of the measurement technique. In parallel with this approach, we also proposed to evaluate the permeability of concrete using observables from Non-Destructive Testing such as permittivity and electrical resistivity. The results obtained show the possibility of estimating the permeability under concrete conditions on site. The second study carried out relates to the control of the permeability under constraints. In the laboratory, we investigated the permeability of concrete specimens of different sizes under various conditions of drying, thermal stress, mechanical and coupled damage. We could establish permeability-damage models according to each source of damage. The third study carried out relates to the transposition from laboratory results to the site, using nuclear power plants mock-up of larger dimensions and representative of the actual structure (VeRCoRs at scale 1/3). All the results of the first two studies have been used and have led to calculations of leak rates and Time to Reach Steady State (TRSS) consistent with the calculation assumptions.

Face à la finitude des ressources de la terre et de sa capacité d’absorption de la pollution, le développement d’écobétons pour un futur industrialisé durable représente un défi majeur de la science du béton moderne. En raison de sa nature hétérogène complexe, les propriétés macroscopiques du béton dépendent fortement des constituants de sa microstructure (ex. silicates de calcium hydratés [C–S–H], Portlandite, inclusions anhydres, porosité, agrégats, etc.). De plus, la nécessité d’une exploitation rapide et optimale des matériaux cimentaires émergents dans les applications industrielles demande de nos jours une meilleure compréhension de leurs particularités chimico-mécaniques à l’échelle micrométrique. Cette thèse vise à développer une méthode de pointe de couplage de la nanoindentation et de la spectroscopie quantitative aux rayons X à dispersion d'énergie (NI-QEDS), puis à fournir une caractérisation chimico-mécanique originale des phases microstructurales présentes dans les matrices réelles de ciments mélangés. La combinaison d’analyses NI-QEDS statistiques et déterministes a ainsi permis d’élargir la compréhension des systèmes avec ciment Portland et ajouts cimentaires (ACs) conventionnels ou alternatifs. Plus spécifiquement, l’étude des C–(A)–S–H (C–S–H incluant l’aluminium ou non) dans différents systèmes à base de ciments mélangés a montré des compositions différentes pour cet hydrate (variations dans les taux de Ca, Si, Al, S et Mg), mais ses propriétés mécaniques n’ont pas été significativement affectées par l’incorporation des ACs dans des dosages typiques. Les résultats présentés ont aussi démontré le rôle important des autres phases imbriquées dans la matrice de C–(A)–S–H, soit les inclusions anhydres dures (ex. le clinker et les ACs) et les autres hydrates tels que la Portlandite et les hydrates riches en aluminium (ex. les carboaluminates) avec des propriétés mécaniques plus élevées que celles des C–(A)–S–H. La thèse est basée sur cinq articles couvrant : (1) une analyse NI-EDS de systèmes incorporant des volumes élevés de pouzzolanes naturelles; (2) le développement de la méthode NI-QEDS; des analyses statistiques NI-QEDS (3) de systèmes avec cendres volantes et laitier, et (4) d’un système combinant ciment, calcaire et argile calcinée; et (5) une exploration déterministe NI-QEDS de systèmes conventionnels et alternatifs incorporant la poudre de verre, le métakaolin, le laitier ou la cendre volante. Finalement, en plus d’avancer les derniers modèles et méthodes micromécaniques, l’outil développé a fourni une perception chimico-mécanique originale des phases microstructurales et de leur arrangement. Le dévoilement de la signature chimico-mécanique de ces pâtes de ciments mélangés particulièrement complexes offre un savoir unique pour l’ingénierie des bétons de demain. / Abstract : Facing the limitedness of the earth’s resources and pollution absorption capacity, the development of eco-concrete for a sustainable industrialized future is one of the major challenges of modern concrete science. Due to its complex heterogeneous nature, the macro-scale properties of concrete strongly depend on the microstructure constituents (e.g., calcium-silicate-hydrates [C–S–H], Portlandite, anhydrous inclusions, porosity, aggregates, etc.). Moreover, the need for rapid and optimal exploitation of emerging binding materials in industrial applications urges today a better understanding of their chemo-mechanical features at the micrometer scale. This thesis aims at developing a state-of-the-art method coupling NanoIndentation and Quantitative Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (NI-QEDS), and providing an original chemo-mechanical characterization of the microstructure phases in highly heterogeneous matrices of real blended-cement pastes. The combination of statistical and deterministic NI-QEDS analysis approaches opened new research horizons in the understanding of Portland-cement systems incorporating conventional and alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). More specifically, the investigations of C–(A)–S–H (C–S–H including aluminum or not) in different blended-cement systems showed variable compositions for this hydrate (i.e., Ca, Si, Al, S and Mg contents), but the mechanical properties were not significantly affected by the incorporation of SCMs in typical dosages. The presented results also showed the important role of the other phases embedded in the C–(A)–S–H matrix, i.e., hard anhydrous inclusions (e.g., clinker and SCMs) and other hydrates such as Portlandite and Al-rich hydrates (e.g., carboaluminates) with mechanical properties higher than those of the C–(A)–S–H. The thesis is based on five articles focusing on: (1) the NI-EDS investigation of high-volume natural pozzolan systems; (2) the development of the NI-QEDS method; the statistical NI-QEDS analyses of (3) fly ash and slag blended-cement systems and of (4) a limestone-calcined-clay system; and (5) the deterministic NI-QEDS exploration of alternative and conventional systems incorporating glass powder, metakaolin, slag or fly ash. Finally, the developed tool not only advanced the latest micromechanical methods and models, but also provided original chemo-mechanical insights on the microstructure phases and their arrangement. Unveiling the chemo-mechanical signature of these highly-complex blended cement pastes further provided unique knowledge for engineering concretes for tomorrow.

O reforço de elementos estruturais de concreto armado com uso de polímeros reforçados com fibras de carbono (PRFC) está cada vez mais conhecido, seguro e acessível. Em todo o mundo, a aplicação do PRFC vem sendo estudada sob diversas técnicas. Características como elevada resistência à tração e à corrosão, baixo peso, facilidade e rapidez de aplicação são os principais fatores para essa disseminação. Em particular, a técnica aqui estudada é conhecida como Near Surface Mounted (NSM), que consiste na inserção de laminados de PRFC em entalhes realizados no concreto de cobrimento de elementos de concreto armado. Com dupla área de aderência, ela vem a suprir uma deficiência comum no reforço colado externamente, que é o seu destacamento prematuro. Como nas demais técnicas de reforço à flexão, o material é colado na região do concreto tracionado. Sabe-se que, na prática da intervenção, essa região frequentemente encontra-se danificada por razões diversas, como fissuração causada por ações externas, corrosão da armadura e deterioração do concreto, o que exige a sua prévia reparação. Considerando que a boa qualidade desse reparo é imprescindível à eficiência do reforço, propõe-se uma inovação técnica pela reconstituição da face tracionada da viga com um compósito cimentício de alto desempenho, que sirva como substrato para aplicação do PRFC e elemento de transferência de esforços à estrutura a ser reforçada. Produzido à base de cimento Portland, fibras e microfibras de aço, o compósito tem também potencial para retardar a abertura de fissuras e aumentar a rigidez da viga, melhorando o aproveitamento do reforço. Com apoio da mecânica do fraturamento, foi possível encontrar as taxas de fibras e microfibras de aço a serem adicionadas a uma matriz cimentícia especialmente desenvolvida. Foram realizados ensaios de aderência para estudar o processo de transferência de tensões cisalhantes do laminado para o compósito na zona de ancoragem da viga. Uma vez conhecido o comportamento do sistema, foram ensaiadas vigas de concreto armado de tamanho representativo de estruturas reais, em três diferentes versões de ancoragem do laminado, sendo duas delas com uso do compósito cimentício. Comprovou-se a eficiência da inovação proposta, constatando-se o aumento da rigidez e da capacidade de carga da viga reforçada, com excelente aproveitamento do laminado. Além disso, as fibras e microfibras diminuíram a abertura das fissuras em estágios mais avançados de carregamento, sem que se observasse fissuras horizontais próxima ao reforço, que poderiam indicar destacamento iminente do laminado de PRFC. / Strengthening of reinforced concrete elements with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is increasingly well known, safe and accessible. The application of CFRP has been studied worldwide using various techniques. Features like high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, lightweightness and easy and speedy application are the main factors for dissemination. In particular, the technique here analyzed is known as Near Surface Mounted (NSM), which involves inserting CFRP strips into grooves made on the concrete cover of reinforced concrete elements. With double bonding area, this technique avoids the premature peeling-off that usually takes place in externally bonded CFRP reinforcement. As in others flexural strengthening techniques, the material is bonded in the concrete tension region. It is known in strengthening practice that this region usually requires prior repair. Often it shows up damaged by several reasons such as cracking caused by external actions, reinforcement corrosion and deterioration of the concrete. Whereas the good quality of this repair is essential to strengthening efficiency, an innovative technique is proposed. A high-performance cementitious composite is used as a transition layer for insertion of CFRP strips. The composite is made of Portland cement, steel fibers and microfibers of steel. It also has the potential to delay crack opening and to increase the beam stiffness. Based on fracture mechanics, it was possible to find suitable volume fractions of steel fibers and microfibers to be added to the cementitious matrix. Bonding tests were performed to analyze the shear stress transferring from the CFRP laminate to the beam anchorage zone. Once known the system behavior, real size reinforced concrete beams were tested in three different versions of the anchorage conditions, two of them with use of cementitious composites. The efficiency of the proposed innovation was proved by confirming increased stiffness and load capacity of the strengthened beam. In addition, fibers and microfibers allowed the decrease of the crack opening in later loading steps. No horizontal cracks near to the reinforcement were noticed, which means that CFRP laminate peeling-off was not likely to occur.

La pollution atmosphérique urbaine pose des problèmes au niveau de l'environnement et de la santé publique pour plus de la moitié de la population mondiale. Afin de réduire la pollution de fond dans les villes, un matériau cimentaire innovant a été développé et permet de dégrader les polluants atmosphériques grâce à ses propriétés photocatalytiques induites par l'ajout de TiO2. Ce travail a porté sur la corrélation entre les propriétés physico-chimiques et l'efficacité photocatalytique d'un mortier enrichi en TiO2 lors de la dégradation de 2 composés organiques volatils (COV), le formaldéhyde et le toluène ainsi que sur un mélange d'oxydes d'azote (NOx). Le taux de présence de la surface en dioxyde de titane, le pourcentage relatif de titane et l'absorbance des photons UV par TiO2 ont été respectivement déterminés par spectroscopie Raman, microscopie électronique à balayage couplé à une analyse X et spectroscopie UV-visible par réflexion diffuse. La proportionnalité entre ces 3 grandeurs a été démontrée. L'efficacité photocatalytique des matériaux cimentaires enrichis en TiO2 a été mise en évidence pour la dégradation des 2 COV et des NOx. L'efficacité photocatalytique est reliée à la présence de TiO2 en surface ainsi qu'à la capacité de TiO2 à absorber des photons UV. La matrice cimentaire permet également, à l'obscurité, de réduire significativement la concentration en formaldéhyde. L'étude de l'influence des paramètres matériaux et environnementaux a montré l'importance de la teneur en TiO2, du flux lumineux et de l'humidité relative sur les propriétés photocatalytiques du mortier et permis de contribuer à une meilleure compréhension des réactions intervenant lors de la dégradation des polluants par un matériau cimentaire photocatalytique / More than half of the world population is exposed to urban air pollution which poses problems for the environment and human health. To reduce the background of the pollution in cities, an innovative cementitious material has been developed and used to degrade pollutants thanks to its photocatalytic properties induced by the addition of TiO2. This work was focused on the correlation between physicochemical properties and the photocatalytic efficiency of a mortar enriched with TiO2 during the degradation of two volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde and toluene as well as a mixture of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The occurence rate of of titanium dioxide on the surface, the relative percentage of titanium and the absorptance of UV photons by TiO2, respectively, were determined by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray analysis and UV-visible diffuse refectance spectroscopy. Proportionality between these three variables has been demonstrated. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2-rich cementitious materials has been demonstrated for the degradation of the 2 VOCs and also for NOx. The photocatalytic efficiency is related to the presence of TiO2 on the surface and the ability of TiO2 to absorb UV photons. The cement matrix can also, in the dark, reduced significantly the concentration of formaldehyde. The study of the influence of materials and environmental parameters showed the importance of the TiO2 content, the luminous flux and relative humidity on the photocatalytic properties of the mortar and allowed to contribute to a better understanding of the reactions occurring during the degradation of pollutants by a photocatalytic cementitious material

Cette thèse porte sur la modélisation morphologique de matériaux cimentaires, et sur l'analyse de leurs propriétés linéaires élastiques. Dans cet objectif, des images 3D, obtenues par micro-tomographie, de matériaux cimentaires (mortier et béton) sont étudiées. Dans un premier temps, l'image de mortier est segmentée afin d'obtenir une image de microstructure réelle pour des calculs en élasticité linéaire. L'image de béton est utilisée, après traitement, pour la détermination des caractéristiques morphologiques du matériau. Un modèle aléatoire de béton est ensuite développé et validé par des données morphologiques. Ce modèle comporte trois phases qui correspondent à la matrice, les granulats et les pores. La phase des granulats est modélisée par implantation sans recouvrement de polyèdres de Poisson. Pour cela, un algorithme de génération vectorielle de polyèdres de Poisson est mis en place et validé par des mesures morphologiques. Enfin, les propriétés linéaires élastiques effectives de la microstructure de mortier et de microstructures simulées sont déterminées par méthode FFT (Fast-Fourier Transform), pour différents contrastes entre le module de Young des granulats et de la matrice. Cette étude des propriétés effectives est complétée par une analyse locale des champs dans la matrice, afin de déterminer l'arrangement spatial entre les zones de concentration de contraintes dans la matrice, et les différentes phases de la microstructure (granulats et pores). Une caractérisation statistique des champs est de plus réalisée, avec notamment le calcul du Volume Élémentaire Représentatif (VER). Une comparaison des propriétés élastiques effectives et locales obtenues d'une part sur une microstructure simulée contenant des polyèdres et d'autre part sur une microstructure contenant des sphères est de plus effectuée. / The goal of this thesis is to develop morphological models of cementitious materials and use these models to study their local and effective response. To this aim, 3D images of cementitious materials (mortar and concrete), obtained by micro-tomography, are studied. First, the mortar image is segmented in order to obtain an image of a real microstructure, to be used for linear elasticity computations. The image of concrete is used, after being processed, to determine various morphological characteristics of the material. A random model of concrete is then developed and validated by means of morphological data. This model is made up of three phases, corresponding to the matrix, aggregates and voids. The aggregates phase is modelled by implantation of Poisson polyhedra without overlap. For this purpose, an algorithm suited to the vector generation of Poisson polyhedra is introduced and validated with morphological measurements. Finally, the effective linear elastic properties of the mortar and other simulated microstructures are estimated with the FFT (Fast-Fourier Transform) method, for various contrasts between the aggregates and matrix' Young moduli. To complete this work, focused on effective properties, an analysis of the local elastic response in the matrix phase is undertaken, in order to determine the spatial arrangement between stress concentration zones in the matrix and the phases of the microstructure (aggregates and voids). Moreover, a statistical fields characterization, in the matrix, is achieved, including the determination of the Representative Volume Element (RVE) size. Furthermore, a comparison between effective and local elastic properties obtained from microstructures containing polyhedra and spheres is carried out.