Congratulations to Amirouche Sadaoui on his successful PhD defense!
Congratulations to Amirouche Sadaoui on successfully defending his doctoral thesis in wood and bio-based materials engineering on December 9, 2024, under the supervision of Christian Dagenais (Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University) and the co-direction of Pierre Blanchet (Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University). His thesis, titled « A new approach to classifying the combustibility of materials », addresses a topic of great relevance to advancing knowledge on the combustibility of materials.
Congratulations, Amirouche, on this remarkable milestone in your academic career! We wish you a promising future, rich in professional success and personal achievement.
The members of the jury were :
- Robert Beauregard – President – Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University
- Christian Dagenais – Research Director – Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University
- Pierre Blanchet – Co-Research Director – Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Université Laval
- Véronic Landry – UL Examiner – Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University
- Noureddine Bénichou – Non-UL Examiner – National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- El Mehdi Koutaiba – External examiner – Pôle Recherche et Expertise FEU, Centre scientifique et technique du bâtiment (CSTB)
Congratulations again!
Abstract :
Building materials such as wood, concrete and steel are essential for the strength, durability, insulation and finish of structures. Their choice influences the strength, energy efficiency and environmental impact of buildings. However, it is also necessary to consider construction products as part of the fire triangle, a major concept in fire prevention and control.
The classification of materials according to their reaction to fire reflects fire management and the flexibility of building codes. In Canada, the current system is based on a binary classification, meaning that a material is either combustible or non-combustible. This project therefore aims to introduce a more flexible approach, proposing a more precise classification of the degree of combustibility of materials.
The study begins with an analysis of the evolution of building codes and fire testing in Canada, identifying the objectives and challenges of past changes. Next, an international comparative study examines the practices of four recent regulations, offering a benefit-risk balance of current methods. Finally, a new approach, based on measurable data obtained by cone calorimeter, is proposed. This method offers a more accurate assessment of fire behavior, enhancing safety and alignment with regulatory objectives.
The method developed is based on fire dynamics, offering a more accurate assessment of the fire behavior of materials. The results have been compared with existing literature and current standards, validating the reliability and relevance of the proposed new classes. This approach paves the way for harmonization of international practices, while enhancing building safety and performance.