Pr. Ali ZAOUI

LGCGE Department, Lille-1 University, France

In this talk I will present some recent theoretical results based on Molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations related to hydrated clay systems. The focus will be on the swelling and shrinking phenomena on the clays under temperature and pressure effects. I will show that the hysteresis noticed in the swelling and shrinking processes is due to the different mechanisms of adsorption and desorption by breaking and re-formation of hydrogen bonds between the water molecules. Moreover I will discuss the case of the presence of captions such as some heavy metals. Besides, I will show the adsorption of water nano-droplet on the surface of the clay and discuss the effect of high pressure on the clay leading to a more rigid system. This could be a new way to create, from simple clay, harder materials for a number of uses. In addition, I will also present some recent studies regarding the interaction between calcite and clay as well as calcite and concrete. The studies take into account the role of water in both cases. I will show, additionally, the possibility of enhancing the mechanical properties of cementatious materials by incorporating some nano-materials such as carbon nanotube. Finally I will discuss the environmental aspects mainly related to the radio-nucleides and clays, and the sequestration of CO2.

Prof. Ali Zaoui is a full Professor of Universities (Polytech'Lille / University of Lille1) since February 2005. He is actually a Distinguish Professor (Professor of Exceptional Class 2). He got his PhD from the University of Metz. He was employed as a research associate at the INFM (National Institute of Matter Physics), Italy. He then jointed the Max Planck Institute of Stuttgart, in Germany. His research was mainly dedicated to the modeling and simulation methods based on first-principles, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo. They cover a wide range of civil engineering materials including geo-materials (rocks, clays,..), water, interaction water and soil, environment, nano-composites. He has published over 180 papers in international journals and has supervised more than 20 PhD students.