진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Context and Objective

The construction sector faces major challenges such as population growth, increasing infrastructure needs, and environmental issues. It accounts for 38% of global CO₂ emissions, mainly due to cement. This sector must evolve toward more sustainable solutions. The use of bio-based materials, such as flax shives, appears to be a promising response. These lightweight, bio-sourced materials, used in the production of plant-based concretes and insulation, offer interesting thermal, acoustic, and environmental properties.

The OPTIMALin project focuses on the evaluation and optimization of thermal and mechanical performance of earth brick walls incorporating flax shives. The LTI Laboratory (UPJV) and LGCgE (UArtois) have complementary expertise for the implementation of this project. It requires the ability to manufacture and characterize full-scale building walls from both mechanical and thermal perspectives. The results of this project will help better understand the behavior of these bio-based materials under various conditions, paving the way for large-scale development to improve the thermal performance of housing.

The aim of the study is to assess and optimize the hygrothermal and mechanical performance of walls made of compressed earth bricks (CEB) incorporating flax shives. Since the formulation and manufacturing process of CEBs are already well-established, the task will involve assembling bricks to form representative full-scale walls, i.e., building partitions. Laboratory studies are often carried out at the material scale rather than the structural element scale. This project therefore aims to manufacture and characterize test walls that will make it possible to evaluate the performance of this earth–bio-based material at a semi-pilot scale representative of real walls.

Skills/Qualifications

Strong experimental skills in the mechanical and/or hygrothermal characterization of materials. Analytical and synthesis skills, autonomy, open-mindedness, rigor, proactive approach, and a strong interest in experimentation. Ability to work in a team, autonomy, and scientific rigor.