Avec plus de 2 millions d’interventions chirurgicales par an dans le monde, les actes de chirurgie osseuse sont les plus fréquents, ce qui pousse les entreprises du secteur des biomatériaux pour la régénération osseuse à investir massivement pour sans cesse améliorer leurs produits. Cette thèse est issue d’un contrat CIFRE effectué avec l’entreprise Kasios afin de l’aider dans le développement de céramiques et polymères poreux principalement pour des applications en chirurgie maxillo-faciale. Les travaux réalisés s’articulent autour du développement de biomatériaux biphasiques à base de phosphate tricalcique béta (β-TCP). En premier lieu, des microfibres de polycaprolactone (PCL) incorporant des particules élémentaires de β-TCP ont été fabriquées par électrospinning. Les principales applications des fibres concernent la régénération osseuse guidée pour la préservation alvéolaire ou les opérations de relevés de sinus. L’électrospinning des fibres a utilisé des solvants ne présentant pas de toxicité aiguë. Les fibres ont formé des membranes manipulables qui peuvent être facilement découpées et suturées même en environnement humide. Les études in vitro n’ont révélé aucune cytotoxicité et les membranes ont permis la prolifération de cellules ostéoblastiques. La seconde étude a permis la fabrication d’éponges de gélatine et d’acide hyaluronique saturées ou recouvertes en surface de granules de β-TCP pour le comblement alvéolaire. Les éponges étaient facilement façonnables pour correspondre à l’alvéole du patient. Le chirurgien pourrait alors bénéficier de la nature biphasique du dispositif médical afin de faciliter l’implantation et éviter la manipulation séparée des éponges et des granules. L’utilisation des éponges permettrait par ailleurs d’assurer un positionnement idéal des granules pour la cicatrisation alvéolaire. La troisième étude, plus fondamentale, porte sur l’interaction des cellules osseuses avec le β-TCP et sa résorption. Des études de biomécanique et de biodégradation ainsi que de biodissolution ont également été réalisées sur des biomatériaux produits par l’entreprise. / With more than 2 million surgeries per year, bone tissue is one of the most concerned tissues and biomaterial companies have developed massive investments to continually improve bone regeneration.This thesis was conducted during a CIFRE contract (a tripartite contract linking a student, a university and acompany) and was done in association with the company Kasios for the development of new porous polymers and ceramics. This thesis was specifically centered in the development of biphasic biomaterials based upon beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). First, polycaprolacton (PCL) microfibers incorporating β-TCP elementary particles were produced using electrospinning. These fibers were developed to provide membranes for guided bone regeneration usable in alveolar preservation and sinus lifting. Electrospinning of the fibers did not require any high toxicity solvent. Our fibers formed membranes that could easily be handled, cut and sutured in dry and wet environment. In vitrocytotoxicity studies confirmed the non-toxic nature of the material and showed the ability of the membranes to encourage survival and proliferation of osteoblastic cells. Secondly, freeze-dried gelatin and hyaluronicacid sponges saturated or embedded with β-TCP granules were developed for alveolar filling. Theses ponges could easily be shaped to fit the patient’s dental socket. The biphasic nature of the sponges could make the implantation easier and faster by avoiding surgeons to handle separately the granules and the sponges. This medical device could also insure a correct and optimal positioning of the granules for the patient healing. Lastly, a fundamental study was conducted on resorption of β-TCP and the interaction between bone cells and the biomaterial. Biomechanical and biodegradation/biodissolution studies were also done on different types of biomaterials produced by the company.

<p>The coupled transport of water and heat, involving freezing and thawing, in the road structure and its immediate environment is important to consider for optimal design and maintenance of roads and when assessing solute transport, of e.g. de-icing salt, from roads. The objective of this study was to develop mechanistic models, and measurement techniques, suitable to describe and understand water flow and heat flux in road structures exposed to a cold climate. </p><p>Freezing and thawing was accounted for by implementing new routines in two numerical models (HYDRUS1D/2D). The sensitivity of the model output to changes in parameter values and operational hydrological data was investigated by uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. The effect of rainfall event characteristics and asphalt fractures on the subsurface flow pattern was investigated by scenario modelling. The performance of water content reflectometers (WCR), measuring water content, was evaluated using measurements in two road structure materials. A numerical model was used to simulate WCR sensor response. The freezing/thawing routines were stable and provided results in agreement with laboratory measurements. Frost depth, thawing period, and freezing-induced water redistribution in a model road was greatly affected by groundwater level and type of subgrade. The simulated subsurface flow patterns corresponded well with published field observations. A new method was successful in enabling the application of time domain reflectometer (TDR) calibration equations to WCR output. The observed distortion in sampling volume for one of the road materials could be explained by the WCR sensor numerical model. Soil physical, hydrological, and hydraulic modules proved successful in simulating the coupled transport of water and heat in and on the road structure. It was demonstrated in this thesis that numerical models can improve the interpretation and explanation of measurements. The HYDRUS model was an accurate and pedagogical tool, clearly useful in road design and management.</p>

Ibourahema COULIBALY (2010). Contribution à létude de la résistance au séchage des bactéries lactiques (thèse de doctorat en français) ; Université de Liège, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, (Belgique), 260 p., 22 tableaux, 39 figures. Résumé Lutilisation de souches lactiques, à léchelle industrielle, nécessite une sélection sur base des propriétés technologiques, physiologiques et biochimiques, ainsi que la mise en oeuvre de procédés biotechnologiques bien maîtrisés pour leur production et leur conservation. A cet effet, le séchage est une étape importante. Sous forme sèche, le produit est plus facilement manipulable. Cependant au cours du séchage, les microorganismes subissent un stress thermique et/ou osmotique qui se traduit par une perte de viabilité pendant le stockage. Lutilisation dagents protecteurs au cours du stockage a permis dobtenir une bonne viabilité. En effet, les bactéries sont soumises pendant la lyophilisation et au cours du stockage à une mortalité liée en grande partie à loxydation des acides gras membranaires. Lanalyse de ces acides au cours des différents procédés de fabrication et de stockage permet de noter la présence des hydroperoxydes. Cette oxydation est engendrée par laction de loxygène sur les acides gras polyinsaturés principalement lacide linoléique (C18:2) et linolénique (C18:3) ce qui engendre la formation des hydroperoxydes : acide hydroperoxyoctadecadienoique (HPOD) et acide hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoique (HPOT) méthylés ou non en position 13- et 9-. Une analyse des composés secondaires émanant des poudres de bactéries lactiques indique la présence de composés volatils. Parmi ceux-ci, apparaissent des molécules volatiles (principalement des aldéhydes), qui modifient la flaveur dorigine des corps gras. Les études menées au niveau des constituants phospholipidiques de la membrane montrent un lien entre le degré doxydation et la mortalité cellulaire au cours du stockage. Les différents phospholipides déterminés au nombre de sept (7) subissent tous cette oxydation à des degrés divers. Lutilisation dantioxydant au cours du stockage permet dinhiber les phénomènes de peroxydation des lipides et permet également de maintenir la valeur nutritionnelle (teneur en AGPI, réduction des dérivés peroxydés nocifs) du produit. Ibourahema COULIBALY (2010). Contribution to the study of resistance of lactic acid bacteria subject to drying. (Dissertation in French) ; University of Liège, Gembloux Agro- Bio Tech , (Belgium), p. 260 p., 22 tables, 39 figures. Summary The use of lactic strains in industrial scale requires selection on the basis of technological, physiological and biochemical properties, as the implementation of biotechnological processes under control for their production and conservation. At this effect drying process is an important step. In dry form, the product is more easily manipulated. However during the drying process, microorganisms undergo heat stress and/or osmotic resulting in a loss of viability during storage. The use of protective agents during storage has resulted in a good viability. In fact, the bacteria are subjected during lyophilization and during storage to a mortality largely oxidation the membrane fatty acids. The analysis of these acids during the process helps to note the presence of hydroperoxydes which are the cause of this mortality. This oxidation is caused by the action of oxygen on polyunsaturated acids linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic (C18:3) mostly, causing the formation of hydroperoxydes: hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (HPOD) and hydroperoxyoctadeca-trienoic acid (HPOT) at position 13 - and 9 - methyl or not. An analysis of secondary compounds from the powders indicates the presence of birds. These products appear volatile compounds (mainly aldehydes), hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids etc., which altered the original flavour of fat. Studies in phospholipids constituents of the membrane show a link between the degree of oxidation and cell death during storage. The various phospholipids determined, seven (7) are all undergo this oxidation to various degrees. The use of antioxidants during storage can inhibit the process of lipid peroxydation and helps also to maintain the nutritional value (PUFA content, reduction of harmful peroxide-derived) product.

The coupled transport of water and heat, involving freezing and thawing, in the road structure and its immediate environment is important to consider for optimal design and maintenance of roads and when assessing solute transport, of e.g. de-icing salt, from roads. The objective of this study was to develop mechanistic models, and measurement techniques, suitable to describe and understand water flow and heat flux in road structures exposed to a cold climate. Freezing and thawing was accounted for by implementing new routines in two numerical models (HYDRUS1D/2D). The sensitivity of the model output to changes in parameter values and operational hydrological data was investigated by uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. The effect of rainfall event characteristics and asphalt fractures on the subsurface flow pattern was investigated by scenario modelling. The performance of water content reflectometers (WCR), measuring water content, was evaluated using measurements in two road structure materials. A numerical model was used to simulate WCR sensor response. The freezing/thawing routines were stable and provided results in agreement with laboratory measurements. Frost depth, thawing period, and freezing-induced water redistribution in a model road was greatly affected by groundwater level and type of subgrade. The simulated subsurface flow patterns corresponded well with published field observations. A new method was successful in enabling the application of time domain reflectometer (TDR) calibration equations to WCR output. The observed distortion in sampling volume for one of the road materials could be explained by the WCR sensor numerical model. Soil physical, hydrological, and hydraulic modules proved successful in simulating the coupled transport of water and heat in and on the road structure. It was demonstrated in this thesis that numerical models can improve the interpretation and explanation of measurements. The HYDRUS model was an accurate and pedagogical tool, clearly useful in road design and management.

La sangre obtenida en el matadero es un producto altamente contaminado que requiere un procesamiento inmediato si se pretende utilizarla como insumo alimentario en la fabricación de productos destinados al consumo humano. Si bien es cierto que los sistemas de higienización podrían ser muy eficientes desde el punto de vista de calidad microbiológica, su instalación en la línea de sacrificio comportaría muchas dificultades desde el punto de vista técnico y en algún caso sería muy costoso. La bioconservación podría ser una alternativa para mejorar la calidad microbiológica de la sangre, alargar su vida útil y reducir las posibilidades de procesamiento inmediato. El presente estudio nos permitiría formular la posibilidad de aplicar la bioconservación en sangre de cerdo procedente de matadero industrial, utilizando bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) como cultivo bioprotector, para lo cual se aislaron cepas de BAL autóctonas y se confeccionaron dos colecciones una de BAL mesófilas y otra de psicrótrofas.Se evaluó el potencial antagonista de la colección de BAL mesófilas y psicrótrofas a 30ºC y a 15ºC respectivamente frente a bacterias contaminantes habituales de este subproducto. Las BAL que demostraron antagonismo en placa (7,1% a 30ºC y 11% a 15ºC) fueron seleccionadas para evaluar el potencial antagonista en sangre, donde el efecto inhibitorio se vio favorecido por la adición de un 2% glucosa. S.aureus y P. fluorescens fueron los indicadores más inhibidos por las cepas mesófilas, en algunos casos con reducciones superiores a 7 unidades logarítmicas. En condiciones psicrótrofas la bacteria más sensible a la presencia de BAL fue Bacillus sp., donde 8 de las 11 BAL ensayadas permitieron reducciones superiores a 4 logs y 1cepa incluso superiores a 7 logs; se obtuvieron reducciones máximas de 3 logs de E.coli y Pseudomonas fue inhibida por todas las BAL ensayadas, en algún caso con reducciones superiores a 5 logs.Las 5 que cepas que presentaron el espectro de inhibición más amplio en condiciones mesófilas y 7 en condiciones psicrótrofas frente a los microorganismos indicadores contaminantes de sangre de matadero se identificaron mediante técnicas moleculares por comparación de la secuencias correspondientes al gen que codifica la síntesis de 16S ARNr (16S ADNr) con las secuencias publicadas en las bases de datos. De las 7 cepas antagonistas en condiciones psicrótrofas 5 se identificaron como Lactococcus garvieae y 2 como Enterococcus malodoratus/gilvius raffinosus. Todas las BAL con potencial antagonista en condiciones mesófilas pertenecían al género Lactobacillus, 3 de elllas se identificaron como Lactobacillus murinus/animalis y una se identificó como Lactobacillus reuteri. TA20 que tuvo un gran espectro de inhibición a ambas temperaturas se identificó como Lactococcus garvieae.En este estudio se evaluaron tres métodos de conservación a largo plazo de las cepas que mostraron potencial antagonista. Se comparó la liofilización, la atomización frente a la congelación a -80ºC que era método que se había utilizado hasta el momento para conservar ambas colecciones de BAL. En general, los métodos de deshidratación (atomización y liofilización) y mantenimiento en refrigeración a 5ºC de los cultivos deshidratados se han mostrado más eficaces que la congelación. / Blood from slaughtered animals is a product with a high contamination level that requires an immediately processing after collection if the object is to use it as a food ingredient destined to human consumption. Nevertheless, even if hygienic collection systems used in abattoirs were be efficient enough to control the microbiological quality, their installation in the slaughtered line would be technically complicate and in some case would be so expensive.Bioconservation is an alternative to improve microbiological quality, to extend its shelf life and reducing the possibility of immediate processing after collection.The present study would permit us to formulate the possibility to applicate bioconservation in porcine blood from industrial abattoirs, using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains as biopreservative cultures. So a mesophylic and a psicrotrophyc LAB strains collections were confectioned.The antagonistic capacity toward usual contaminant bacteria in blood of the mesophylic and psicrotrophyc collections at 30ºC and 15ºC respectively were investigated. The LAB that demonstrated the widest inhibitory spectrum in agar plate evaluation (7,1% at 30ºC and 11% at 15ºC) were screened in order to evaluate their inhibitory activity in blood, where was observed that the addition of glucose at 2% had a positive effect in the inhibitory levels. The most sensible indicators to the mesophylic LAB were S. aureus and P. fluorescens. In some cases it was obtained reductions of 7 logarithmic units. In psicotrophic conditions the most sensible bacteria to LAB presence was Bacillus spp. where 8 of the 11 strains assayed inhibited in more than 4 logarithmic units and 1 of them inhibited this indicator in 7 logarithmic units..It was obtained maxim reductions of 3 logs versus E. coli. P. fluorescens was inhibited by all the assayed strains and in some case it was obtained reductions superior to 5 logs.The 5 mesophylic and 7 psictrophyc strains that demonstrated the widest inhibitory spectrum toward the indicators microorganisms from abattoir blood were identified using molecular techniques though comparison of the gene sequences that codify the synthesis of 16S RNAr (16S DNAr) with the sequences in the data base.5 from the 7 strains with antagonistic capacity in psicotrophyc conditions were identified like Lactococcus garvieae and the other two strains were identified like Enterococcus malodoratus/gilvius/raffinosus. All the antagonistic LAB in mesophylic conditions belonged to genus Lactobacillus, 3 of them were identified like Lactobacillus murinus/animalis and one of them as Lactobacillus reuteri. TA20 that had a widest spectrum at both assay temperatures was identified as Lactococcus garvieae.In this study there were evaluated three methods of conservation of cultures belonged to those LAB that demonstrated antagonistic capacity. It was compared freeze-drying, spray drying against freezing at -80ºC, that is the method used to conserve both LAB collections. Generally, the dehydration methods (freeze-drying and spray drying) and maintaining in refrigeration at 5ºC of dehydrated cultures showed to be better than freezing at -80ºC.

From the Proceedings of the 1975 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 11-12, 1975, Tempe, Arizona / Water can be supplied to many arid areas by harvesting the precipitation that falls on artificially prepared water-repellent soil catchments. The failure, in 1973, of wax-treated water harvesting catchment led to this study which indicates that the failure was due to swelling and shrinking of the treated soil which caused complete structural breakdown and loss of repellency. The laboratory freeze-thaw studies demonstrated that the smoother the plot, the less chance of freeze-thaw damage. Generally, coarser-textured soil can withstand freeze-thaw cycles better than finer-textured soils. Soil properties, other than texture, may also affect resistance to damage by freeze-thaw cycles. Increasing the repellent application rate may improve resistance to breakdown.

This item contains the agenda, minutes, and attachments for the Faculty Senate meeting on this date. There may be additional materials from the meeting available at the Faculty Center.

Soil organic matter (SOM) contains about twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. With global changes, the potential shifts in SOM quantity and quality are a major concern. Due to its heterogeneity, SOM remains largely unknown in terms of its molecular composition and responses to climatic events. Traditional bulk soil analysis cannot depict the structural changes in SOM. This thesis applies two complementary molecular-level methods, i.e., SOM biomarker gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to examine the origin and degradation of various SOM components in grassland and temperate forest soils, and to investigate the shifts in microbial community and SOM composition with both laboratory- and field-simulated global changes, such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, increasing soil temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, and nitrogen (N) deposition. This thesis has several major findings. First, as the most active component in soil, microbial communities were sensitive to substrate availability changes resulting from prolonged soil incubation, freeze-thaw-induced cell lyses, N fertilization and increased plant inputs under elevated CO2 or soil warming. Microbial community shifts have direct impacts on SOM decomposition patterns. For instance, an increased fungal community was believed to contribute to the enhanced lignin oxidation in an in situ soil warming experiment as the primary degrader of lignin in terrestrial environments. Second, contrast to the conventional belief that aromatic structure was recalcitrant and stable in SOM, ester-bond aliphatic lipids primarily originating from plant cutin and suberin were preferentially preserved in the Canadian Prairie grassland soil profiles as compared with lignin-derived phenols. Cutin- and suberin-derived compounds also demonstrated higher stability during soil incubation. With an increased litter production under elevated CO2 or global warming, an enrichment of alkyl structures that had strong contributions from leaf cuticles was observed in the Duke Forest Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) and soil warming experiments, suggesting an accumulation of plant-derived recalcitrant carbon in the soil. These results have significant implications for carbon sequestration and terrestrial biogeochemistry. Overall, this thesis represents the first of its kind to employ comprehensive molecular-level techniques in the investigation of SOM structural alterations under global changes.

Soil organic matter (SOM) contains about twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. With global changes, the potential shifts in SOM quantity and quality are a major concern. Due to its heterogeneity, SOM remains largely unknown in terms of its molecular composition and responses to climatic events. Traditional bulk soil analysis cannot depict the structural changes in SOM. This thesis applies two complementary molecular-level methods, i.e., SOM biomarker gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, to examine the origin and degradation of various SOM components in grassland and temperate forest soils, and to investigate the shifts in microbial community and SOM composition with both laboratory- and field-simulated global changes, such as frequent freeze-thaw cycles, increasing soil temperatures, elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, and nitrogen (N) deposition. This thesis has several major findings. First, as the most active component in soil, microbial communities were sensitive to substrate availability changes resulting from prolonged soil incubation, freeze-thaw-induced cell lyses, N fertilization and increased plant inputs under elevated CO2 or soil warming. Microbial community shifts have direct impacts on SOM decomposition patterns. For instance, an increased fungal community was believed to contribute to the enhanced lignin oxidation in an in situ soil warming experiment as the primary degrader of lignin in terrestrial environments. Second, contrast to the conventional belief that aromatic structure was recalcitrant and stable in SOM, ester-bond aliphatic lipids primarily originating from plant cutin and suberin were preferentially preserved in the Canadian Prairie grassland soil profiles as compared with lignin-derived phenols. Cutin- and suberin-derived compounds also demonstrated higher stability during soil incubation. With an increased litter production under elevated CO2 or global warming, an enrichment of alkyl structures that had strong contributions from leaf cuticles was observed in the Duke Forest Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) and soil warming experiments, suggesting an accumulation of plant-derived recalcitrant carbon in the soil. These results have significant implications for carbon sequestration and terrestrial biogeochemistry. Overall, this thesis represents the first of its kind to employ comprehensive molecular-level techniques in the investigation of SOM structural alterations under global changes.

On s'intéresse dans le présent travail au comportement au gel des sols fins limono-argileux traités à la chaux seule, sols valorisables qui sont couramment rencontrés sur les chantiers de terrassement. Trois sols appartenant aux classifications A1, A2, A3 selon la norme NF P 11300, ont été choisis pour cette étude. Ces sols sont traités à 3 dosages en chaux correspondant à 3 objectifs : 1) amélioration (dosage en chaux minimal), 2) stabilisation et insensibilité à l'eau (dosage en chaux intermédiaire), 3) stabilisation et résistance au gel (dosage en chaux le plus élevé). Les sols traités sont ensuite conservés pendant quatre périodes de cure : 7 jours, 28 jours, 90 jours et 365 jours. Les deux processus de gel - le géligonflement et la gélifraction sont étudiés, parallèlement à l'évaluation des performances mécaniques, hydrauliques et microstructurales. Les résultats expérimentaux ont montré que les propriétés hydrauliques (la succion au front de gel, sp et la conductivité hydraulique à l'état non-saturé, kunsat) sont les paramètres qui gouvernent le phénomène de géligonflement des sols, traités ou non. Les résultats ont également mis en évidence le lien direct existant entre la microstructure (la distribution porale) et les propriétés hydrauliques du sol, principalement en termes de capacité de rétention d'eau et conductivité hydraulique. Le traitement augmente les performances mécaniques des sols d'une part, et amène d'autre part à des modifications de leur microstructure ; ceci induit des changements vis-à-vis de leur sensibilité au gel. Les sols sont plus gélifs directement après le traitement, cette sensibilité au gel diminuant avec le temps de cure. Une modélisation simple permettant d'estimer le gonflement au gel à partir de la succion au front de gel et de la valeur de conductivité hydraulique à l'état non-saturé a été proposée et validée. Vu que la détermination de la conductivité hydraulique à l'état non-saturé n'est pas un essai couramment pratiqué au sein de la plupart des laboratoires, un critère basé sur la succion au front de gel, sp, et la conductivité hydraulique à l'état saturé, ksat a été proposé pour évaluer la sensibilité des sols au gel. L'essai de gélifraction consiste à évaluer un coefficient de résistance de l'éprouvette de sol après 10 cycles de gel/dégel, RFT (%) - « retained strength factor after freeze-thaw testing ». Les résultats expérimentaux montrent que la valeur RFT des sols traités varie de 0% (lorsque les éprouvettes de sol perdent totalement leur résistance à la compression simple et sont détruites après 10 cycles de gel/dégel) à 90%. Quand RFT ≥ 60%, aucune dégradation visuelle de la surface des éprouvettes des sols traités n'est constatée. Ainsi, cette valeur est proposée comme critère d'acceptation des matériaux constitutifs d'une couche de forme subissant le gel avant son recouvrement. L'étude de l'effet du nombre des cycles de gel/dégel montre une diminution importante de la performance mécanique (RFT) durant trois premiers cycles de gel/dégel, et ce paramètre se stabilisant après 10 cycles. A l'aide de la technique de µ Tomographie X, l'endommagement interne des éprouvettes de sol ayant subi des cycles de gel/dégel a été quantifié. Une corrélation directe entre la diminution de performance mécanique et l'augmentation de l'indice de l'endommagement de l'éprouvette a été mise en évidence. Enfin, un modèle d'endommagement permettant d'évaluer la dégradation de la performance mécanique avec l'augmentation de l'indice d'endommagement a été établi / The present work deals with the behaviour of fine-grained silty and clayey soils treated with lime under frost. Those soils are frequently encountered in earthworks. Three soils corresponding to A1, A2, A3 classes according French NF P 11-300 standard were chosen for this study. These soils were treated with 3 lime dosages corresponding to three objectives: 1) improvement (minimum dosage), 2) stabilization and insensitivity to water (intermediate dosage), 3) stabilization and frost resistance (highest dosage). Lime-treated soils were subsequently cured for different times: 7, 28, 90, 365 days. Two frost processes, frost heave and freeze-thaw cycles, were applied in parallel with the assessment of mechanical, hydraulic and microstructural properties. Experimental results evidenced that it is the hydraulic properties (suction at frost front, sp and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, kunsat) that govern the frost heave phenomenon of soils, treated or not. In addition, this study demonstrates the direct link between the microstructure (the pore size distribution) and the hydraulic properties (water retention curve and hydraulic conductivity). The treatment on one hand improves the mechanical performances of soils, and on the other hand modify their microstructure, and thus changes their frost sensitivity. The frost susceptibility increases directly after treatment, and then decreases with curing time. Based on the suction at frost front and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, a simple model was proposed and validated allowing to estimate the frost heave. Considering that the determination of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity is not a test commonly performed by most laboratories, a criterion based on the suction at frost front and the saturated hydraulic conductivity was proposed to estimate the frost sensibility of soils. The second frost resistance test consists of measuring the retained strength factor after 10 freeze-thaw cycles, RFT (%). The results obtained show that RFT of lime treated soil varies from 0% (when soil specimen completely loses its resistance and collapses after 10 freezethaw cycles) to 90%. When RFT is higher than 60%, no visual damage was observed on the specimen surface; consequently, this value is proposed as a criterion for acceptance of lime treated soil in capping layer before covering. In addition, the study of effect of freeze-thaw cycles showed a significant decrease of mechanical performance (RFT) during the first three cycles, and a stabilization after 10 cycles. Using X-ray Tomography, the intern damage of specimens due to freeze-thaw cycles was quantified. A correlation between the decrease of mechanical performance and the increase of damage index was evidenced. A model was then developed to evaluate the degradation of mechanical performance with the increase of damage index