Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
In this paper, we describe an outcrop to characterize the effect of fracture spacing and type on larger scale effective elasticity, which is measured for the first time in-situ with a Schmidt hammer. The outcrop is dominated by lime mudstones and belongs to the deformation zone of the St Clement fault, in southern France. Our results suggest that small spacing of faults, open fractures and styolites leads to lesser effective Young's modulus, whereas small sealed fracture spacing leads to greater effective Young's modulus. These relationships are compatible with theoretical models of effective elasticity. Using Amadei and Savage (1993) approach, we define a non-linear model that relates Schmidt hammer rebound to spacing by fracture type. A hemisphere with a radius of 40 to similar to 200 cm is the rheological volume characterized by the Schmidt hammer. Results of model inversion demonstrate that variations of Schmidt hammer rebound over the outcrop can be used to estimate fracture type and stiffness. Stiffness of sealed fractures is 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than the stiffness of faults, stylolites and open fractures. This result is consistent with an increase of the rate of interseismic stress build-up of major faults with sealing of fractures in their damage zone.
ISSN: 0191-8141

hal-00669954
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00669954
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsg.2011.09.009

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The presence of biological matter (biofilms) in deep geological sites for storage of, for instance, toxic elements or groundwater in aquifers was clearly proved. That biomass triggers physical and chemical processes which greatly modify the durability and the sustainability of the sites. These processes, mainly from oxidative/reductive reactions, are poorly understood. This is mainly due to the fact that former studies were done at the macroscopic level far away from the micrometric scale where relevant processes induced by bacteria take place. Investigations at microscopic level are needed. Thus, we developed an experimental set-up based on the combined use of optical microscopy (transmission), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrical and electro-chemical AFM microscopy (EC_AFM) in order to get simultaneous information on topographic and electro-chemical processes. The first highly sensitive step was to use AFM with biological samples in liquid environment: wepresent here a study about AFM imaging of living, moving or self-immobilized bacteria, in their genuine physiological liquid medium and in true in vivo conditions. No external immobilization protocol, neither chemical nor mechanical was needed. For the first time, the native gliding movements of Gram negative Nostoc cyanobacteria upon the surface were studied by AFM. AFM height and mechanical stiffness data were simultaneously acquired. From these, mechanical parameters, inner turgor pressure and Young modulus, were derived for different bacterial species (Anabaenopsis circularis, Rhodococcus wratislaviensis). Our study revealed that AFM imaging is thus possible on moving living species. These results open a large window on new studies of both dynamical phenomena of practical and fundamental interests such as the formation of biofilms and dynamic properties of bacteria in real physiological conditions. The second delicate step was to combine AFM and optical measurements with electrical ones. We mounted a new experimental set-up coupling real-time (i) monitoring of optical properties as the optical density (OD) evolution related to bulk bacterial growth in liquid or as the counting of number of bacteria adhering on the surface of the sample as well and (ii) electrical and electrochemical measurements. Furthermore, these results will shortly be applied to the optimized monitoring of the in-situ activity of bacteria consuming oil pollutants, following this way, in real-time, the bioremediation of an oilcontaminated soil (ANR ECOTECH_BIOPHY program).
La présence de matière biologique (biofilms) dans les sites de stockage géologique profond, d'éléments toxiques ou encore de l'eau potable des aquifères est maintenant clairement démontrée. Cette biomasse est à l'origine de processus physiques et chimiques qui modifient considérablement la durabilité et la pérennité des sites concernés. Ces processus, principalement de type oxydo-réductif, sont encore mal compris. Ceci est principalement dû aux méthodes d'investigation, principalement macroscopiques, loin de l'échelle micrométrique caractéristique des bactéries. Seules des études, basées sur des méthodes d'investigation locale, peuvent apporter les informations requises. Ainsi, nous avons développé un dispositif expérimental basé sur l'utilisation combinée de la microscopie optique (en transmission), la microscopie à force atomique (AFM) et la microscopie AFM en mode électrique et électrochimique (EC_AFM) afin d'obtenir des informations simultanées sur la topographie de l'échantillon et sur les processus électrochimiques à l'échelle des bactéries. La première étape sensible consistait à utiliser l'AFM sur des échantillons biologiques en milieu liquide: nous présentons ici les résultats de l'imagerie AFM en milieu liquide de plusieurs types de bactéries dans leurs conditions physiologiques naturelles (conditions in vivo). Aucun protocole d'immobilisation, ni chimique ni mécanique, n'a été nécessaire; et pour la première fois, les mouvements de reptation de cyanobactéries Nostoc ont été étudiés par l'AFM. Les études AFM ont permis d'acquérir des données topographiques mais aussi mécaniques : nous avons pu ainsi mesurer le module d'Young, la pression de turgescence de différentes souches bactériennes (Anabaenopsis circularis, Rhodococcus wratislaviensis). Cette étude complète, a révélé que l'imagerie AFM est donc possible sur des espèces vivantes en mouvement. Ces résultats ouvrent une grande fenêtre sur de nouvelles études d'intérêts tels que la formation de biofilms et les propriétés dynamiques de bactéries dans des conditions physiologiques réelles. La deuxième étape délicate était de combiner l'AFM aux mesures optiques et électriques. Nous avons développé un nouveau dispositif expérimental permettant (i) le suivi de l'évolution de la croissance bactérienne par la mesure des propriétés optiques comme la densité optique DO (pour le développement bactérien en volume - milieu planctonique) , ou l'analyse de l'image du substrat par comptage du nombre de bactéries sur la surface de l'échantillon (biofilm), et (ii) les mesures électriques et électrochimiques. L'ensemble de ces résultats sera prochainement appliqué au développement de nouveaux outils de surveillance d'une biodépollution de terrain contaminé par les hydrocarbures, par le suivi in situ et en temps réel de l'activité de bactéries dépolluantes (ECOTECH_BIOPHY ANR).
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01044714

tel-01044714
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01044714
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01044714/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01044714/file/theseDhahri2013.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD De Gruyter
Résumé : International audience
This study aims at better understanding the respective influences of specific gravity (γ), microfibril angle (MFA), and cell-wall matrix polymers on viscoelastic vibrational properties of wood in axial direction. The wide variations of properties between normal wood (NW) and compression wood (CW) are in focus. Three young bent trees (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus pinaster) that recovered verticality were sampled. Several observed differences between NW and CW were highly significant in terms of anatomical, physical (γ, shrinkage, CIELab colorimetry), mechanical (compressive strength), and vibrational properties. Specific dynamic modulus of elasticity (E'/γ) decreases with increasing MFA, and Young's modulus (E') can be satisfactorily explained by γ and MFA. Apparently, the type of the cell wall polymer matrix is not influential in this regard. The damping coefficient (tanδ) does not depend solely on MFA of NW and CW. The tanδ - E'/γ relationship evidences that, at equivalent E'/γ, the tanδ of CW is approx. 34% lower than that of NW. This observation is ascribed to the more condensed nature of CW lignins, and this is discussed in the context of previous findings in other hygrothermal and time/frequency domains. It is proposed that the lignin structure and the amount and type of extractives, which are both different in various species, are partly responsible for taxonomy-related damping characteristics.
ISSN: 0018-3830

hal-00808062
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00808062
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00808062/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00808062/file/Changes_viscoelastic_vibrational_Bremaud_al.pdf
DOI : 10.1515/hf-2011-0186

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
The paper is motivated by the long term safety analysis of the CO 2 geological storage. We present a methodology for the assessment of the ge-omechanical impact of progressive rock dissolution. The method is based on the use of X-ray tomography and the numerical dissolution technique. The influence of evolution of the microstructure on the macroscopic properties of the rock is analysed by using periodic homogenization method. The numerical computations show progressive degradation of all components of the stiffness (orthotropic) tensor. Moreover, the evolution of associated mass transfer properties (as tortuosity and conductivity tensors), by using the periodic homogenization method, is also calculated. The correlation between the mechanical parameters and the transfer properties during the dissolution pro-cess is presented. The results show that the highest increase of the hydraulic conductivity (in direction Y) is not associated with the highest decrease of Young modulus in this direction. Moreover, the highest decrease of Young modulus (in the direction X) is not associated with percolation in this direction. Finally, an incremental law to calculate settlement, in case of a rock with evolving microstructure, is proposed. The solution of the macroscopic settlement problem under constant stress and drained conditions showed that the geomechanical effects of the rock dissolution are rather limited.
ISSN: 0363-9061

hal-01104204
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01104204
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01104204/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01104204/file/Numerical_computations_rock_dissolution_Wojtacki_al_2014.pdf
DOI : 10.1002/nag.2316

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Public Library of Science
Résumé : 51 pages; 15figures; 3 tables, accepted for publication in PloS ONE
International audience
We present a study about AFM imaging of living, moving or self-immobilized, bacteria in their genuine physiological liquid medium. No external immobilization protocol, neither chemical nor mechanical, was needed. For the first time, the native gliding movements of Gram-negative Nostoc cyanobacteria upon the surface, at speeds up to 900microns/h, were studied by AFM. This was possible thanks to an improved combination of a gentle sample preparation process and an AFM procedure based on fast and complete force-distance curves made at every pixel, drastically reducing lateral forces. No limitation in spatial resolution or imaging rate was detected. Gram-positive and non-motile R. wratislaviensis bacteria were studied as well. From the approach curves, Young modulus and turgor pressure were measured for both strains at different gliding speeds and are ranging from 20±3 to 105±5MPa and 40±5 to 310±30kPa depending on the bacterium and the gliding speed. For Nostoc, spatially limited zones with higher values of stiffness were observed. The related spatial period is much higher than the mean length of Nostoc nodules. This was explained by an inhomogeneous mechanical activation of nodules in the Nostoc. We also observed the presence of a soft extra cellular matrix (ECM) around the Nostoc. Both strains left a track of polymeric slime with variable thicknesses. For R. wratislaviensis, it is equal to few hundreds of nanometers, likely to promote its adhesion to the sample. While gliding, the Nostoc secretes a slime layer the thickness of which is in the nanometer range and increases with the gliding speed.
ISSN: 1932-6203

hal-00769765
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00769765
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00769765v3/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00769765/file/REsubmission_In-situ_determination_Dhahri_Plos_One_R2_Hal.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
Grain deviations and high extractives content are common features of many tropical woods. We aimed at clarifying their respective impact on vibrational properties, referring to African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a species selected for its interlocked grain, high extractives content, and uses in xylophones. Specimens were cut parallel to the trunk axis (L), and local variations in grain angle (GA), microfibril angle (MFA), specific Young's modulus (E'L/ρ, where r stands for specific gravity) and damping coefficient (tanδL), were measured. GA dependence was analyzed by a mechanical model which allowed to identify the specific Young's modulus (E'3/ρ) and shear modulus (G'/ρ) along the grain (3), as well as their corresponding damping coefficients (tanδ3, tanδG). This analysis was done for native and then for extracted wood. Interlocked grain resulted in 0-25° GA and in variations of a factor 2 in E'L/ρ and tanδL. Along the grain, Padauk wood was characterized, as compared to typical hardwoods, by a somewhat lower E'3/ρ and elastic anisotropy (E'/G'), due to a wide microfibril angle plus a small weight effect of extracts; and a very low tanδ3 and moderate damping anisotropy (tanδG/tanδ3). Extraction affected mechanical parameters in the order: tanδ3 ≈ tanδG > G'/ρ >> E'3/ρ. That is, extractives' effects were nearly isotropic on damping but clearly anisotropic on storage moduli.
ISSN: 0043-7719

hal-00544382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00544382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00544382/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00544382/file/Identification_anisotropic_vibrational_properties_Bremaud_al.pdf
DOI : 10.1007/s00226-010-0348-0

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
Extractives can affect vibrational properties tanδ (damping coefficient) and E'/ρ (specific Young's modulus) but this is highly dependent on species, compounds, and cellular locations. This paper investigates such effects for African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub.), a tropical hardwood with high extractives content and a preferred material for xylophones. 5 groups of 26 heartwood specimens with large, yet comparable, ranges in vibrational properties were extracted in different solvents. Changes in vibrational properties were set against yields of extracts and evaluation of their cellular location. Methanol (ME) reached most of compounds (13%), located about half in lumen and half in cell-wall. Water solubility was extremely low. tanδ and E'/ρ were very strongly related (R2≥0.93), but native wood had abnormally low values of tanδ, while extraction shifted this relation towards higher tanδ values. ME extracted heartwood became in agreement with the average of many species, and close to sapwood. Extractions increased tanδ as much as 60%, irrespective of minute moisture changes or of initial properties. Apparent E'/ρ was barely changed (+2% to -4%) but, after correcting the mass contribution of extracts, was in fact slightly reduced (down to -10% for high E'/ρ), and increasingly so for specimens with low initial values of E'/ρ.
ISSN: 0043-7719

hal-00804236
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00804236
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00804236/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00804236/file/Effect_extractives_vibrational_properties_Bremaud_al.pdf
DOI : 10.1007/s00226-010-0337-3

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : Active mechanisms of re-orientation are necessary to maintain the verticality of tree stems. They are achieved through the production of reaction wood, associated with circumferential variations of three factors related to cambial activity: maturation strain, longitudinal modulus of elasticity (MOE) and eccentric growth. These factors were measured on 17 mature trees from different botanical families and geographical locations. Various patterns of circumferential variation of these factors were identified. A biomechanical analysis based on beam theory was performed to quantify the individual impact of each factor. The main factor of re-orientation is the circumferential variation of maturation strains. However, this factor alone explains only 57% of the re-orientations. Other factors also have an effect through their interaction with maturation strains. Eccentric growth is generally associated with heterogeneity of maturation strains, and has an important complementary role, by increasing the width of wood with high maturation strain. Without this factor, the efficiency of re-orientations would be reduced by 31% for angiosperms and 26% for gymnosperms. In the case of angiosperms, MOE is often larger in tension wood than in normal wood. Without these variations, the efficiency of re-orientations would be reduced by 13%. In the case of gymnosperm trees, MOE of compression wood is lower than that of normal wood, so that re-orientation efficiency would be increased by 24% without this factor of variations.
ISSN: 0931-1890

hal-01031825
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01031825
DOI : 10.1007/s00468-005-0407-6

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : To contribute to the understanding of how opening-mode fractures (joints) form and open or close at depth in layered rocks, we present a 2D numerical study aiming to determine whether tensile stress can develop in pre-fractured elastic multilayers submitted to biaxial compressive strain conditions. First, we investigate the role of the elastic and geometrical properties of the layers on the development of tensile stress in models with five bonded layers and containing one open fracture in the central layer. Our results indicate that, in absence of elastic contrast (in Young's modulus) between the layers, no tensile stress develops in the models. However, when the fractured layer is stiffer than the two adjacent layers directly above and below, a lobe of horizontal tensile stress develops centered on the pre-existing fracture. The creation of this tensile stress is contingent upon the partial closing of the fracture. The levels of tensile stress and the thickness of the lobe of tensile stress increase logarithmically with an increase in the elastic contrast and are systematically larger for a larger Soft/Stiff ratio (ratio of the total thickness of the soft layers with the total thickness of the stiff layers). Second, we investigate the role of fracture interaction in the development of tensile stress in models containing a pair of open fractures. We observe that the levels of tensile stress in the region between the fractures are systematically higher than those observed in identical models containing a single fracture. This increase in tensile stress is very large for small elastic contrasts between the layers but diminishes when the elastic contrast increases. Furthermore, the spacing between the pre-existing fractures plays an important role in the stress distribution in the region between them. When the fracture spacing is equal to or lower than 1.15 times the height of the fractured layer for the experimental conditions chosen, the lobes of tensile stress centered on the fractures coalesce. This results in the formation of vast areas of tensile stress in models under remote compressive loading conditions. Such tensile areas are likely to allow the initiation and propagation of subsequent opening-mode fractures. The results obtained provide new insights into the formation of joints in layered rocks in compressive environments, with important consequences on fluid flow.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-00407576
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00407576
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2006.12.003