Le béton est un matériau dont le comportement n'a pas été totalement compris surtout dans des situations accidentelles spectaculaires: les incendies de tunnels. De nombreuses recherches ont été donc entreprises pour comprendre son comportement à hautes températures (allant jusqu'à les 800°C) surtout qu'il y a eu trois incendies de tunnels en Europe durant les dix dernières années provoquant un écaillage de structures en béton. Ce travail vise à apporter une contribution à la compréhension des mécanismes de cet écaillage dans le béton chauffé. Par une première approche, on s'intéresse à l'étude de l'écaillage hydraulique provoqué par les pressions des fluides dans le béton considéré comme un milieu poreux. L'étude, basée sur un modèle thermo-hydro-chimique indéformable, porte plus particulièrement sur la formation d'un "bouchon" (zone quasi-saturée d'eau liquide) qui est à l'origine de l'augmentation importante des pressions de gaz qui se trouve "bloqué". Une approche analytique simplifiée et justifiée par un calcul numérique complet a permis de mettre en évidence l'existence d'une température de "saturation" qui peut nous renseigner sur la profondeur du "bouchon" majorant ainsi la profondeur de l'écaillage hydraulique. Par une deuxième approche basée sur un modèle de thermo-chimio-plasticité, on cherche à étudier l'écaillage mécanique. Le béton, considéré cette fois comme un milieu continu, est soumis à des contraintes de compression provoquées par la dilatation thermique empêchée. Sa rigidité et sa résistance sont aussi réduites sous l'effet de la déshydratation chimique des hydrates CSH à hautes températures. Le zone proche de la surface chauffée rentre en phase plastique. Un modèle analytique simplifié et justifié par un calcul numérique complet a permis de comprendre cet écaillage mécanique et de mettre en évidence l'existence d'une température de "plastification" qui peut nous renseigner sur la profondeur de la zone plastifiée majorant ainsi la profondeur de l'écaillage mécanique. Finalement, un modèle thermo-poro-élastique qui tient compte des transferts de chaleur et de masse ainsi que de la déformabilité du béton a permis de définir deux contraintes effectives: une contrainte de traction exercée par les fluides sur le squelette et qui caractérise donc l'écaillage hydraulique et une contrainte de compression conséquence de la dilatation thermique empêchée et qui caractérise donc l'écaillage mécanique. Un critère de plasticité a été utilisé pour voir la contribution de chacune des contraintes dans l'atteinte de la phase plastique ce qui peut nous renseigner sur le \poids" de chacun des deux mécanismes (hydraulique ou mécanique) dans le processus d'écaillage.

A formulation is proposed for the boundary element analysis of poro-elastic media with axi-symmetric geometry. The boundary integral equation is reduced to a set of line integral equations in the generating plane for each of the Fourier coefficients, through complex Fourier series expansion of boundary quantities in circumferential direction. The method is implemented into a computer program, where the fundamental solutions are integrated by Gaussian Quadrature along the generator, while Fast Fourier Transform algorithm is employed for integrations in circumferential direction. The strongly singular integrands in boundary element equations are regularized by a special technique. The Fourier transform solution is then inverted in to R&amp / #952 / z space via inverse FFT. The success of the method is assessed by problems with analytical solutions. A good fit is observed in each case, which indicates effectiveness and reliability of the present method.

Tamarindus indica L. é um componente natural amplamente consumido por humanos, apresentando propriedade antiinflamatória, antidiabética e antihepatotóxica. Além disso, como nós demonstramos previamente, o extrato apresenta atividade hipolipêmica e antioxidante. Neste trabalho, nós demonstramos o efeito do extrato de T. indica sobre mitocôndrias isoladas de fígado de rato. Na presença de Ca2+, o extrato causou um inchamento osmótico mitocondrial concentração-dependente, associado ao aumento da velocidade basal (V4), dissipação do potencial de membrana e liberação do Ca2+ pré-acumulado, os quais foram inibidos por ciclosporina A (CsA) e assim atribuídos a transição de permeabilidade da membrana mitocondrial (TPMM). A indução do inchamento osmótico mitocondrial foi prevenida por EGTA e vermelho de rutênio, indicando a dependência da TPMM de Ca2+. A oxidação de proteínas tiol mitocondrial, um mecanismo bem estabelecido como causador da TPMM, foi detectado. Entretanto, nenhuma alteração significante foi observada no estado redox de GSH. A oxidação de NAD(P)H e o acúmulo de espécies reativas de oxigênio produzidas pela mitocôndria foram observadas, em ambos os casos, foram prevenidas por CsA e/ou EGTA, indicando que são conseqüências da TPMM induzida pelo extrato de T. indica. Portanto, sem aparente envolvimento do estresse oxidativo no processo, sugerindo uma interação direta de compostos do extrato com grupos tiólicos de proteínas da membrana. O extrato de T. indica induziu uma depleção de ATP associada à TPMM, mostrando assim potencial para causar a morte celular por apoptose ou necrose, resultante da indução da TPMM por si ou pela depleção do ATP via TPMM. In vitro, o extrato apresentou capacidade scavenger de radicais livres, verificado pelo ensaio do DPPH, radical superóxido e radical hidroxil; e ainda foi capaz de diminuir a lipoperoxidação mitocondrial. Além disso, em baixas concentrações, o extrato mostrou uma propriedade quelante de Fe2+. / Tamarindus indica L. is a natural dietary component widely consumed by humans, presenting well established anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-hepatotoxic properties. In addition, as we have previously demonstrated, extract presents hypolipemic and antioxidant activities. We show here the effects of T. indica extract on isolated rat liver mitochondria. In the presence of Ca2+, the extract caused mitochondrial concentration-dependent swelling, associated to, resting respiration increase (V4), membrane potential dissipation and release of pre-accumulated Ca2+, inhibited by cyclosporine A (CsA) and thus ascribable to mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). This swelling induction was prevented by EGTA and ruthenium red, indicating strict dependence of MPT on Ca2+. Oxidation of mitochondrial membrane protein thiols, a well established mechanism causing MPT was detected. However, no significant change was observed in the GSH redox state, and the NADPH oxidation and accumulation of mitochondria-generated reactive oxygen species that was observed, were prevented by CsA and/or EGTA, indicating that they are consequence of the MPT induced by T. indica extract. Therefore, no apparent oxidative stress condition is involved as cause of this process suggesting that direct interaction with membrane protein thiol groups of the compounds responsible for MPT induction occurs. T. indica extract led to MPTassociated ATP depletion, thus showing the potential to cause cell death by apoptosis or necrosis resulting from MPT induction per se or from ATP depletion by MPT. In vitro, the extract presented free radical scavenging ability, as assessed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide radicals and radical hydroxyl assays, and led to decreased lipid peroxidation in mitochondria, as assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. In addition, the extract showed an iron chelanting property in low concentrations.

Submitted by Alessandra Portugal (alessandradf@ioc.fiocruz.br) on 2013-09-20T15:33:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Anael Viana Pinto Alberto.pdf: 4150812 bytes, checksum: 9ce0a5d780533302dcc603ae65f510fe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-20T15:33:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anael Viana Pinto Alberto.pdf: 4150812 bytes, checksum: 9ce0a5d780533302dcc603ae65f510fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-31 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / ATP e outros nucleotídeos são liberados para o meio extracelular por vias reguladas ou pela perda da integridade de membrana. Uma vez fora da célula, esses compostos podem ativar receptores P2: P2X (receptores ionotrópicos) e P2Y (receptores acoplados a proteínas G). Além disso, O receptor P2X7 é um importante membro da família P2X, já que sua ativação pode levar a abertura de um poro membranar que permite a passagem de moléculas de até 900 Da. Os eosinófilos são as principais células efetoras em respostas alérgicas e estão associados com diversos processos fisiológicos e patológicos. Nesse trabalho investigamos a expressão de receptores P2 e suas funções em eosinófilos. Nesse contexto, nosso primeiro passo foi investigar a expressão e funcionalidade dos receptores P2X por patch clamping. Nossos resultados sugerem a presença de P2X1, de P2X2 e de P2X7. Em seguida, avaliamos por microfluorimetria a funcionalidade dos receptores P2Y, e verificamos com base na ordem de potência a possível presença de P2Y2, de P2Y4, de P2Y6 e de P2Y11. Além disso, confirmamos nossos dados por imunofluorescência. Realizamos também ensaios de migração in vitro e in vivo, para verificar se os nucleotídeos extracelulares poderiam atrair eosinófilos. O ATP foi capaz de induzir a migração dos eosinófilos, enquanto a suramina, um bloqueador P2, aboliu esse efeito, tanto in vitro, utilizando transwell, como in vivo, utilizando um modelo de pleurisia alérgica em ratos. Em seguida, avaliamos o possível papel da panexina-1 como poro associado ao receptor P2X7. Nesse trabalho utilizamos inibidores de hemicanais em experimentos de patch clamp e em ensaios de permeabilização de corante. Os resultados indicam que os inibidores de hemicanais não bloquearam a geração de corrente ou a captação de corante após a ativação do receptor P2X7 em macrófagos de ratos e camundongos. Demonstramos que eosinófilos de rato expressam receptores P2X e P2Y por imunofluorescência. Além disso, demonstramos que a ativação de receptores P2 pode aumentar a migração de eosinófilos in vitro e in vivo. Além disso, foi demonstrado que inibidores de panexina-1 não bloqueiam a captação do corante ou a corrente gerada pela ativação do receptor P2X7. Os nossos resultados demostraram que panexina-1 não é o poro associado ao receptor P2X7 em macrófagos / ATP and other nucleotides are released from cells through regulated pathways or following the loss of plasma membrane integrity. Once outside the cell, these compounds can activate P2 receptors: P2X ionotropic receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. . Additionally, P2X7 receptor is an important member of the P2X family of ionotropic receptor as its activation opens a non-selective pore allowing the passage of molecules up to 900 Da. Eosinophils represent major effector cells in the allergic inflammatory response and they are, in fact, associated with several physiological and pathological processes. Here we investigate the expression of P2 receptors and roles of those receptors in murine eosinophils. In this context, our first step were to investigate the expression and functionality of the P2X receptors by patch clamping, our results suggest the presence of P2X1, P2X2 and P2X7. Next we evaluate by microfluorimetry the expression of P2Y receptors, our results based in the ranking order of potency suggests the presence of P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6 e P2Y11. Moreover, we confirmed our findings by immunofluorescence assays. We also did in vitro and in vivo migration assays to verify whether nucleotides could attract eosinophil. ATP increased migration of eosinophils, while suramin a P2 blocker abolished this effect in both in vitro, using trasnwell, and in vivo, using a model of rat allergic pleurisy. Next, we evaluated the putative role of pannexin-1 as the pore associated to the P2X7 receptor. We used hemichannels inhibitors in patch clamp and dye uptake experiments. The results indicate that they do not interfere with current generation or dye uptake after activation of P2X7R in rat and mouse macrophages. We have demonstrated that rat eosinophils express P2X and P2Y receptors by immunofluorescence. In addition, the activation of P2 receptors can increase migration of eosinophils in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that specific inhibitors of pannexin-1 did not interfere with the dye uptake or current generated by the P2X7 activation. Our results showed that pannexin-1 is not the pore associated to the P2X7 receptor in macrophages.

Cette étude s’inscrit dans le projet ANR Célajoas (ComposÉs LAmellaires pour les JOints en Applications Sévères) dont l’objectif est l’étude et l’optimisation de joints d’étanchéité à base de vermiculite exfoliée compactée (VEC). Ces joints d’étanchéité doivent se substituer aux joints à base de graphites pour des applications à hautes températures (800 °C) et à pressions élevées (200 bars). Des essais de mise en œuvre ont permis de mettre en évidence différents paramètres,tels que le type de vermiculite, la pression et la température de compaction sur les performances de ces joints. Les caractérisations expérimentales ont fournis des informations sur la microstructure et les propriétés de joints à base de la VEC. Ainsi, une étude par microscopie électronique à balayage, en compléments de résultats de porosimétrie mercure ont permis d’obtenir certaines caractéristiques du réseau poral. Des caractérisations expérimentales ont fournis les principales propriétés mécaniques anisotropes (modules élastiques, reprise élastique, contrainte à rupture) ainsi que la perméabilité de la VEC et donc le taux de fuite des joints à base de la VEC. Dans un souci de compréhension et d’optimisation des propriétés de ces joints, différents outils de prévisions des propriétés macroscopiques sont proposés. Tout d’abord, un modèle de prévision de la perméabilité,qui se scinde en deux étapes :a) Tout d’abord la construction du réseau poral simplifié en utilisant les résultats des caractérisations expérimentales, b) la résolution, par la méthode des éléments finis, du problème de l’écoulement du fluide à travers le milieu poreux. Les résultats numériques sont confrontés à ceux obtenus par des approches analytiques simples (du type Carman-Kozeny). L’effet de la micromorphologie et du taux de porosité sur la perméabilité sont ensuite examinés. Pour surmonter les difficultés liées à la résolution par la méthode des éléments finis, un modèle semi analytique est ensuite proposé. L’objectif de cette approche est de fournir un outil simple (type bureau d’étude) de prévision de la perméabilité de la VEC, sans avoir recours à un logiciel d’éléments finis. Enfin, pour dimensionner un joint d’étanchéité, il est indispensable de connaître les propriétés mécaniques (modules d’élasticité…) afin de déterminer, par exemple, la pression de serrage du joint. En raison des spécificités du matériau étudié (squelette isotrope transverse, taux de porosité de l’ordre de30 %), un modèle d’homogénéisation itératif, basé sur des approches analytiques classiques, est proposé pour évaluer l’influence de certains paramètres de la micro géométrie (rapport de forme des porosités, leur orientation…) sur les propriétés élastiques de la VEC. / This study deals with the study and optimization of gaskets made from compacted exfoliated vermiculite(VEC). It is a response to the need to replace gaskets made from graphite for high temperature (800 °C) and high pressure (200 bars) applications. In this work [in the aim of providing information on the microstructure and properties of VEC gaskets] experimental characterization have been conducted. The influence of different parameters such as the type of vermiculite, pressure and temperature of compaction on the performance of these gaskets has been studied. From scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry results, some characteristics of the porous network have been identified. The anisotropic mechanical properties (elastic properties, elastic recovery, tensile stress), the permeability and the leakage rate of the VEC have also been characterized. Based on experimental data, a finite element (FE) predicting model for permeability evolution has been developed. This model is divided in two steps:a) using the results of the experimental characterization, the pore network is constructed; b) the problem of fluid flow through the porous media is solved by finite element method. The numerical results have been confronted with analytical models (Carman-Kozeny). The effect of micromorphology and porosity is discussed. Due to meshing problems, a semi-analytical model is also proposed. The aim of this approach is to provide a simple tool (type design office) for predict the permeability of VEC, without have recourse to finite element software. The mechanical properties are necessary to design a gasket. Eventually, thanks to specificities of the studied material (skeleton transverse isotropic, porosity of around 30%), a model of iterative homogenization is proposed to evaluate the influence of some parameters of the micro geometry (porosities ratio, orientation ...) on the elastic properties of the VEC. This work is supported by the French research national agency (ANR) through the Célajoas project (ComposÉs LAmellaires pour les JOints en Applications Sévères).

A indústria cimenteira busca alternativas para economia de recursos no processo produtivo, em especial envolvendo o uso de materiais residuais no cimento, como escórias siderúrgicas. A escória de aciaria, em particular, apresenta composição desfavorável para aplicação in natura, porém há metodologias na literatura de modificação do material para aplicações cimentícias. No entanto, ainda não se encontram avaliações da corrosão de armaduras de aço em compósitos cimentícios com essa adição, seja em meio sólido ou líquido (água de poro). Esse estudo avaliou, através de curvas de polarização e da espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE), a resistência à corrosão do aço CA-50 em soluções representativas de águas de poro extraídas por pressão de pastas de cimento com 25 % de escória de aciaria in natura ou modificada por processo pirometalúrgico. Para efeitos comparativos, foi feita também a avaliação do desempenho do aço em meios de águas de poro indicadas na literatura como representativas de cimento Portland comum e de escória de alto forno. O efeito da presença de espécies agressivas na resistência à corrosão do aço foi avaliado adicionando-se 1,0 % de NaCl em massa às soluções estudadas. Nas águas de poro sem 1,0 % de cloreto, o aço CA-50 apresentou-se passivo e não mostrou indícios de corrosão nos ensaios nem de polarização nem de EIE durante 120 h de imersão. Entretanto, os ajustes dos diagramas com circuito elétrico equivalente (CEE) apontaram que as características de proteção da camada passiva formada nas águas de poro de cimento com escória de aciaria foram superiores, resultando em maior resistência à corrosão do aço CA-50 nestes meios. Por sua vez, nos meios com 1,0 % de NaCl, após polarização e EIE até 120 h, o aço sofreu corrosão para as águas de poro de cimento comum e escória de alto forno, porém não corroeu nas águas de poro representativas de cimentos com escórias de aciaria, cujo melhor desempenho foi associado à maior alcalinidade destes meios. A caracterização microestrutural por microscopia eletrônica de varredura após os ensaios de polarização anódica e de imersão mostrou que o principal produto de corrosão formado foi a lepidocrocita (?-FeOOH), comum em ataque do aço por cloretos. / The cement industry seeks alternatives to save resources in production processes, especially involving the use of residual materials in cements, such as slags. Steel slags present unfavorable composition for application as cement additions in natura, but there are methodologies in the literature for modifying this material for commercial application. However, there are no evaluations of the corrosion of steel reinforcements in cementitious composites with steel slags, either in solid or liquid medium (pore water). The present study employed polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to evaluate the corrosion resistance of CA-50 steel in pore water solutions representative of cement pastes with 25 % steel slag in natura or modified by a pyrometallurgical process. For comparison purposes, the performance of CA-50 steel in the pore waters indicated in the literature as representatives of Portland cement and blast furnace slag activated with cement were also evaluated. The effect of aggressive species on the corrosion resistance of the steel was assessed by adding 1.0 % NaCl by mass to the pore water solutions. Without 1.0 % chloride addition, CA-50 steel exhibited good performance and showed no evidences of corrosion in all of the investigated media, both in anodic polarization and in EIS tests performed up to 120 h immersion. However, the fitting of the EIS diagrams with equivalent electric circuit (EEC) revealed that the protectiveness of the passive layer formed in pore waters representative of cements with steel slags were superior, indicating better corrosion resistance of CA-50 steel in these media. Conversely, when 1.0 % chloride was added to the pore waters, CA-50 steel presented pitting corrosion, and impedance decreases with immersion in the pore waters representative of pure cement and blast furnace slag, whereas no corrosion was detected by both methodologies in pore waters representatives of cements with steel slags, which superior performance was ascribed to their higher alkalinity. Microstructural characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after anodic polarization and immersion tests showed that the main corrosion product formed was lepidocrocite (?-FeOOH), usual of chloride attack of steel.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-10-03T11:31:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Plínio Ferreira Pires - 2016.pdf: 6131513 bytes, checksum: 8fa6643740293050fba973c250df0e54 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-10-03T11:31:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Plínio Ferreira Pires - 2016.pdf: 6131513 bytes, checksum: 8fa6643740293050fba973c250df0e54 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-03T11:31:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Plínio Ferreira Pires - 2016.pdf: 6131513 bytes, checksum: 8fa6643740293050fba973c250df0e54 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The carbonation phenomenon consists in a physicochemical process which reduces the alkalinity of concrete. Carbonation can destabilize the protective layer of the steel, leaving it susceptible to corrosion, which is one of the most significant and costly causes of deterioration in reinforced concrete. Accordingly, chemical analysis of the pore solution has been held for about 60 years, but few studies are focused on types of concrete containing mineral additions subjected to carbonation, due to the difficulty of obtaining the pore solution, given its structure densification under these conditions. Depending on the concrete composition, the natural carbonation process can take several years to present sufficient analyzable data, therefore, most of the studies on this topic use accelerated tests to simulate this phenomenon. However, even with full control of the laboratory environment, it is not possible to reproduce the randomness of the variables responsible for the degradation that occur in real situations. This study aims to evaluate the process of natural carbonation in 36 different types of concrete or analysis conditions, which cover a wide range of characteristics and properties of concrete that represent the various service situations of the structures, after about 14 years of exposure, in typical urban environment. The results are presented for types of concrete with and without mineral additions (silica fume, rice husk ash, metakaolin, fly ash and blast furnace slag); three water/binder (0.40, 0.55 and 0.70) and two curing conditions (dry-cured and moist-cured). The study was conducted by the application of simplified models of carbonation and statistical analysis on an extensive experimental database (over 2000 measurements) obtained by eight evaluations of carbonation carried at different ages, through 14 years of natural exposure prototypes of concrete beams. In addition, chemical analysis of pH, ionic strength and conductivity of the pore solution - obtained through innovative method - were conducted in both the carbonated layer and the non-carbonated layer of concrete. The results indicate that the empirically-analytical model proposed by Tuutti, has an excellent representativity of carbonated depth over time. The use of a coefficient of carbonation, from Tuutti’s model, calculated from early ages, can generate mistaken conclusions: underestimating the dry-cured concrete and overestimating the moist-cured concrete. In the overall analysis of the natural carbonation coefficients obtained by ANOVA showed that the water/binder ratio is the most significant factor, followed by curing type and, finally, the type of addition. The best performances as the carbonation are observed to the lower water/binder concretes, subjected to wet cure. Under the method used to obtain the pore solution, it was possible to compare the difference between the chemical properties of non-carbonated and carbonated layers of each type of concrete analyzed. / O fenômeno da carbonatação consiste em um processo físico-químico que leva à redução de alcalinidade do concreto. Isto pode desestabilizar a camada protetora do aço, deixando-o passível de corrosão, que é uma das mais importantes e onerosas causas de deterioração do concreto armado. Nesse sentido, a análise química da solução do poro tem sido realizada há cerca de 60 anos, contudo raros trabalhos focam em concretos submetidos à carbonatação contendo adições minerais, dada a dificuldade de se obter a solução devido à densificação na estrutura porosa nessas condições. Dependendo da composição do concreto, o processo de carbonatação natural pode levar vários anos para apresentar dados passíveis de análise, diante disso, a maioria dos estudos nesse tema utilizam ensaios acelerados para simular tal fenômeno, contudo, mesmo com todo controle do ambiente de laboratório, não se pode reproduzir a aleatoriedade das variáveis que ocorre em situações reais de degradação. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o processo de carbonatação natural em 36 diferentes concretos ou condições de análise, os quais cobrem uma ampla faixa de características e propriedades dos concretos, representando as mais diversas situações de serviço para as estruturas, após cerca de 14 anos de exposição, em ambiente típico urbano. São, portanto, apresentados resultados de concretos sem e com adições minerais (sílica ativa, cinza de casca de arroz, metacaulim, cinza volante e escória de alto-forno); três relações água/ligante (0,40; 0,55 e 0,70) e duas condições de cura (seca e úmida). O estudo se deu por meio de aplicações de modelos simplificados de carbonatação e análises estatísticas em um extenso banco de dados experimentais (mais de 2000 medidas) obtido por oito avaliações da frente de carbonatação realizadas em diferentes idades, durante 14 anos de exposição natural de protótipos de vigas de concreto. Foram realizadas também análises químicas de pH, força iônica e condutividade da solução do poro, obtida através de método inovador, tanto da camada carbonatada quanto da camada não carbonatada dos concretos. Os resultados indicam que o modelo empírico-analítico, proposto por Tuutti, possui excelente representatividade da profundidade carbonatada ao longo do tempo. A utilização de um coeficiente de carbonatação, do modelo de Tuutti, calculado a partir de idades iniciais pode gerar conclusões equivocadas: subestimando os concretos sem cura e superestimando os de cura úmida. A análise global dos coeficientes de carbonatação, obtidos pela ANOVA, demonstrou que a relação água/ligante é o fator mais significativo, seguido do tipo de cura e, por último, o tipo de adição. Os melhores desempenhos quanto à carbonatação são observados para os concretos de menor relação água/ligante, submetidos à cura úmida. De acordo com o método empregado para obtenção da solução do poro, foi possível comparar a diferença entre as propriedades químicas da camada não carbonatada e a carbonatada, para toda a família de concretos analisada.

L’anisotropie des propriétés mécaniques et acoustiques des matériaux poro-élastiques est un facteur déterminant dans le comportement de panneaux utilisés dans différents domaines de l’ingénierie. La compréhension des différents mécanismes physiques conditionnant la réponse en fréquence de ces structures est alors nécessaire. L’anisotropie intrinsèque des matériaux poreux visco-élastiques présente un potentiel particulier pour l’optimisation multi-fonctionnelle de parois multicouches. En effet, ces parois doivent souvent respecter des contraintes de raideur et isolation sonore et thermique de manière simultanée. Une méthode par superposition d’ondes planes dans des parois composées de matériaux poro-visco-élastiques est présentée afin d’analyser la sensibilité de la réponse acoustique de structures multicouches à l’alignement relative des couches poreuses anisotropes dans celles-ci. La méthode est validée et appliquée à l’étude d’un système composée d’une mousse de mélamine située entre deux parois métalliques. Cesystème permet d’illustrer des phénomènes intrinsèques aux couche poro-élastiques anisotropes, tel que le décalage en fréquence de la résonance fondamentale du système, et les couplages de compression-cisaillement dans le milieu poro-élastique. Ce phénomène de couplage est particulièrement intéressant puisqu’il n’est caractérisable que par la polarisation des ondes dans le milieu poro-élastique anisotrope. En fin, la méthode est appliquée afin d’optimiser un système multicouche pour des performances acoustiques. Les variables d’optimisation sont les orientations relatives des couches poro-élastiques anisotropes par rapport au système de coordonnées globales. Les solutions aux problèmes d’optimisation sont analysées en termes de comportement mécanique, ce qui permet d’établir une corrélation entre performances acoustiques et comportement dynamique. / The mechanical and acoustic anisotropy of media is a governing factor in the behaviour of multilayered systems including such media. The understanding of the mechanisms conditioning the dynamic behaviour of multilayered systems is of paramount importance. In particular, the intrinsicanisotropy of poroelastic media presents a potential for the optimal design of systems for multifunctional performances. Indeed, these multilayered systems are bound by stiffness, thermal and acoustic performance constraints in simultaneously. A plane wave method is presented to study theinfluence of material orientation in the dynamic behaviour of multilayered systems composed of anisotropic poroelastic media. The method is applied to a system composed of an anisotropic open-celled melamine foam core in between two metal sheets. This particular multilayered configuration allows to shed light on phenomena intrinsic to layers composed of anisotropic poroelastic materials, such as the frequency shift of the fundamental resonance of the panel, or the compression-shear coupling effects taking place in the poroelastic core layers. The latter phenomena is of particular importance, as it is evidenced on the unconventional polarisation of waves in anisotropic poroelastic media. Finally, the method is adapted to the optimisation of multi-layered systems for acoustic performance. the design variables are consequently the core material orientations with respect to the global coordinate system. The solutions to the optimisation problem are analysed in terms of dynamic behaviour, thus allowing to correlate acoustic performanceof the overall structure, and the response of each individual layer.

Current approaches to post-war state reconstruction are primarily dominated by the liberal peace thesis. These approaches tend to ignore the indigenous institutions, societal resources and cultural agencies of post-conflict societies, although such entities are rooted in the sociological, historical, political and environmental realities of these societies. Such universalised and `best practice¿ approaches, more often than not, tend to reproduce artificial states. The Poro and Sande are the largest indigenous sodality institutions in the `hinterlands¿¿a pejorative term attributed to rural Liberia and Sierra Leone. Both the Poro and Sande exercise spiritual, political, economic and social authority. In this thesis, I use critical realism and the case study approach to investigate: a) the extent to which the liberal peace practitioners who are leading state reconstruction in Liberia and Sierra Leone recognised the role and potential utility of the Poro and Sande institutions; b) the extent to which the Poro and Sande were engaged; and c) the implications for the quality and viability of the reconstructed states. This evidence-based research suggests that the liberal peace project sidelined indigenous institutions, including the Poro and Sande, in the post-war recovery and rebuilding exercises. The disregard for indigenous and emerging resources in the context of state reconstruction in Liberia and Sierra Leone has contributed to the resurgence of 19th century counter-hegemonic resistance from the sodality-governed interior of both countries. At the same time, the reconstructed states are drifting back towards their pre-war status quo. Authority structures remain fragmented, kleptocracy is being restored, webs of militarised patronage networks are being emboldened, and spaces for constructive dialogues are shrinking. This thesis underscores the need for indigenisation as a complementary strategy to help reverse the deterioration, and to maximise gains from massive investments in peacebuilding.

Au niveau d'une zone transformante atypique se situant au sud-ouest de l'Islande, une série de séismes majeurs (MW = 6,5) s'est produite en juin 2000. De nombreuses données InSAR et GPS couvrent les différentes phases d'un cycle sismique. L'utilisation d'un code de calcul numérique fondé sur une méthode d'éléments finis a permis d'explorer les influences sur la déformation des hétérogénéités présentes au niveau de la zone sismique sud islandaise. Dans la phase co-sismique, l'hypothèse majeure est la rigidification de la lithosphère avec la profondeur. Dans la phase post-sismique, la géométrie des couches rhéologiques a également une influence, ainsi que l'étude simultanée des différents processus associés (relaxations visco- et poro-élastique, afterslip...). Enfin, la répartition asymétrique des contraintes lors de la phase inter-sismique due à l'amincissement de la croûte vers l'ouest semble être un facteur essentiel pour expliquer la migration est-ouest observée dans la sismicité