Mathieu Robert

Bio: Mathieu Robert is an academic researcher from Université de Sherbrooke. The author has contributed to research in topics: Durability & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 56 publications receiving 1406 citations. Previous affiliations of Mathieu Robert include Queen's University.

Importance of Agricultural and Industrial Waste in the Field of Nanocellulose and Recent Industrial Developments of Wood Based Nanocellulose: A Review

Abstract: Nano-sized cellulose materials has recently become topical in the sphere of sustainable materials. The two key groups of nanocelluloses (NCs) are (1) nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and (2) cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). They are often considered as second-generation renewable resources, which also serve as better replacements for petroleum-based products. More attention has been given to these materials because of their low density and high mechanical, renewable, and biodegradable properties. There are many works in the literature on the isolation of NFC and CNC from different sources like hard/soft wood and agriculture biomass. However, this is a comprehensive review dedicated to the properties of NFC and CNC extracted only from agriculture and industrial waste using mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic methods. This article explores in detail the importance of agriculture waste and pretreatments, methods involved in the production of nanocellulose, and the properties of NC prepared from crop and industri...

Durability of GFRP Reinforcing Bars Embedded in Moist Concrete

Abstract: This paper presents mechanical, microstructural, and physical characterization of glass fiber-reinforced polymer GFRP bars exposed to concrete environment. GFRP bars were embedded in concrete and exposed to tap water at 23, 40, and 50°C to accelerate the effect of the concrete environment. The measured tensile strengths of the bars before and after exposure were considered as a measure of the durability performance of the specimens and were used for long-term properties prediction based on the Arrhenius theory. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the aging effect on the GFRP reinforcing bars. The results showed that the durability of mortar-wrapped GFRP bars and exposed to tap water was less affected by accelerated aging than the bars exposed to simulated pore-water solution. These results confirmed that the concerns about the durability of GFRP bars in concrete, based on simulated laboratory studies in alkaline solutions, do not properly correspond to the actual service life in concrete environments.

Behavior of GFRP Reinforcing Bars Subjected to Extreme Temperatures

Abstract: Corrosion of steel reinforced concrete members has stimulated the research on fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) to be used as an internal reinforcement for concrete structures. The behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcing bars subjected to extreme temperatures is very critical for applications in North America, especially in Canada. There is a high demand for experimental studies to investigate the thermal stability of strength, along with the ultimate elongation, and modulus of GFRP bars. This paper evaluates the variation of mechanical properties of sand-coated GFRP reinforcing bars subjected to low temperatures (ranging from 0 to −100°C ) and elevated temperatures (ranging from 23 to 315°C ). Tensile, shear and flexural properties are investigated to get an overview of the thermal stability of mechanical properties of GFRP bars subjected to large variations of temperatures. Microstructural analyzes using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), physical measurements by thermogravimetric...

Composites from renewable and sustainable resources: Challenges and innovations.

Abstract: Interest in constructing composite materials from biosourced, recycled materials; waste resources; and their combinations is growing. Biocomposites have attracted the attention of automakers for the design of lightweight parts. Hybrid biocomposites made of petrochemical-based and bioresourced materials have led to technological advances in manufacturing. Greener biocomposites from plant-derived fiber and crop-derived plastics with higher biobased content are continuously being developed. Biodegradable composites have shown potential for major uses in sustainable packaging. Recycled plastic materials originally destined for landfills can be redirected and repurposed for blending in composite applications, thus leading to reduced dependence on virgin petro-based materials. Studies on compatibility of recycled and waste materials with other components in composite structure for improved interface and better mechanical performance pose major scientific challenges. This research holds the promise of advancing a key global sustainability goal.