Congratulations to Tiam Mahmoudian and Luc Girompaire for winning the FPInnovations Fund scholarship worth $8,000!
Congratulations to Tiam Mahmoudian and Luc Girompaire, recipients of the FPInnovations Training and Research Fund scholarship for graduate students (Master’s and PhD), each worth $8,000!
Under the supervision of Professor Alain Cloutier, Tiam Mahmoudian is conducting innovative research on the mathematical modeling of permeability in wood-based composite panels, with a particular focus on multilayer products. His work contributes to a better understanding of composite material properties, paving the way for significant advancements in process optimization and the improvement of wood product performance.
Luc Girompaire, supervised by Professors Christian Dagenais and Alexander Salenikovich, is dedicated to evaluating the fire performance of modern mass timber assemblies. Through standardized testing and design analyses, his project aims to establish guidelines and sizing methods. These advancements could be integrated into North American standards, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of mass timber structures.
The FPInnovations Fund, which supports research and training at the Faculty of Forestry, Geography, and Geomatics at Laval University, plays a key role in promoting academic excellence. This scholarship aims to support students in their research projects while encouraging the recruitment of promising talents and highlighting their outstanding achievements.
Well done, Tiam and Luc, on this wonderful recognition of your work and commitment to research!
Project title of Tiam Mahmoudian: Hygrothermal behavior modeling of particleboard for exterior cladding
Project summary: The building sector is responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 10% of which come from construction and materials. In Canada, this sector accounts for 17% of total emissions. The use of bio-based materials, such as wood, is an effective strategy for reducing environmental impact. As a renewable resource, wood sequesters carbon throughout its lifetime in buildings. Particleboard, made from wood residues such as sawdust and wood chips, represents an attractive alternative to traditional construction materials. These panels are bonded with urea-formaldehyde resins for indoor applications and phenol-formaldehyde for moisture-resistant outdoor uses, such as subfloor layers and building facades. However, wood-based panels are sensitive to moisture, leading to swelling and degradation, especially under outdoor conditions. Understanding the relationship between the panel structure and moisture transport is crucial for improving their durability. Despite the significance of this issue, few studies have explored the water vapor permeability of particleboard intended for exterior use.
This research focuses on the mathematical modeling of moisture transport in multilayer wood-based composite panels, taking into account density distribution, coatings, and environmental conditions. The model integrates the panel structure as well as variations in temperature and humidity to predict moisture diffusion and swelling behavior under Canadian climatic conditions. By developing a predictive framework, this study aims to optimize the performance of composite panels for exterior applications, thereby contributing to sustainable building practices.
Project title of Luc Girompaire: Fire performance of modern mass timber connections
Project summary: Mass timber construction is experiencing remarkable growth, especially for high-rise buildings. However, fire safety remains a major challenge, with stringent fire resistance requirements. The National Building Code of Canada mandates a fire resistance rating (FRR) of at least 2 hours for structural elements, determined through testing according to the CAN/ULC-S101 standard. Annex B of the CSA O86 standard provides a method for sizing large-section wood elements exposed to fire. However, specific requirements for connections remain limited: it is simply stated that they must have a fire resistance rating at least equivalent to that of the elements they support.
The aim of this research project is to evaluate the fire performance of modern mass timber connections and to develop guidelines and suitable sizing methods. This work will contribute to enriching North American design standards, thereby enhancing the safety and durability of mass timber structures.