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The estimation of wall thermal properties through an inverse problem procedure enables to increase the reliability of the model predictions for building energy efficiency. Nevertheless, it requires defining an experimental campaign to obtain in situ observations for existing buildings. The quality of the estimated parameter strongly depends on the quality of the experimental data used for the parameter identification. In other words, there is a close relation between the experiment design and the precision of the retrieved parameters. The design of experiments enables to search for the optimal measurement plan. It ensures the highest precision of the parameter to be estimated. For in situ measurement in buildings, the design of experiments seeks to answer the following questions: How many sensors do we need? What is the sensor position in the wall? The optimal experiment design methodology enables us to answer those questions. The unknown parameter is the thermal conductivity of wall façade model considering two-dimensional heat transfer induced by time and space varying boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work deals with an inverse two-dimensional nonlinear heat conduction problem to determine the top and lateral surface transfer coefficients. For this, the Bayesian framework with the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to determine the posterior distribution of unknown parameters. To handle the computational burden, a lumped one-dimensional model is proposed. The lumped model approximations are considered within the parameter estimation procedure thanks to the Approximation Error Model. The experiments are carried out for several configurations of chamber ventilator speed. Experimental observations are obtained through a complete measurement uncertainty propagation. By solving the inverse problem, accurate probability distributions are determined. Additional investigations are performed to demonstrate the reliability of the lumped model, in terms of accuracy and computational gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the environmental context, designing energy efficient buildings is crucial. Standard performance indicators evaluate the quantity of energy going through the wall. Such indicator considers the energy balance of the wall, i.e the first thermodynamic law. However, the main drawback of such approach is that it does not qualify the energy quality, which can be done by the second thermodynamic law. This paper proposed a performance indicator that both quantifies and qualifies the energy efficiency of a wall. It is based on the evaluation of the exergy destruction rate. The performance indicator has been developed for transient conditions induced by climatic variations of temperature and relative humidity and considering coupled heat and mass transfer in the wall. Calculations were carried out with experimental data obtained from a wall demonstrator under climatic conditions and comparisons with standard performance indicators were also performed. The corresponding results highlighted that the exergy loss allows a more accurate assessment of the energy performance and the influence of mass transfer on it. Indeed, the mass transfer can account for 30% in the exergy destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of research indicates a necessity of further examination in both numerical and experimental studies related to optimizing shapes of building enclosures for the enhancement of their energy efficiency. The demand for research primarily arises due to the numerical complexities associated with optimizing shapes for this specific purpose. Consequently, the primary objective of this article is to address and bridge these gaps in the field. To achieve this, a two-dimensional steady-state heat diffusion model is assumed to represent the physical processes occurring within building facades of varying shapes. A third type boundary condition is applied to the exterior boundary, encompassing convective and incident short-wave solar radiation effects. The calculation of short-wave radiation accounts for factors such as sunlight exposure and shading, influenced by the surrounding urban environment. The internal boundary interfaces with the indoor ambient air, and thus, a Robin boundary condition is adopted. To tackle the computational demands while ensuring accuracy, the boundary element method (BEM) is employed by discretizing the domain boundary into discrete elements. Then, two heat transfer design objectives are define according to the period of investigations: ones related to enhancing heat transfer and ones focused on thermal insulation problem. Last, a real-world case study is conducted, considering a house wall under varying climate conditions throughout the year. Optimal shapes for the external wall boundary are determined with the constraint that the optimized facade utilizes the same amount of material as the reference flat one. The results demonstrate a substantial increase in energy efficiency compared to the reference flat wall case. • Shape optimization of building facade • Short wave radiation • Steady-state heat transfer • Boundary element method • Energy efficiency [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of numerical tools to model the behavior of building materials is a challenging task. The crucial point is to save computational costs and maintain the high accuracy of predictions. There are two main limitations on the time scale choice, which places an obstacle to solving the above issues. The first one is the numerical restriction. A number of research studies are dedicated to overcome this limitation and it is shown that it can be relaxed with innovative numerical schemes. The second one is the physical restriction. It is imposed by the properties of a material, the phenomena itself, and the corresponding boundary conditions. This study is focused on the study of a methodology that enables to overcome the physical restriction on the time grid; a so‐called average reduced model is suggested. It is based on smoothing the time‐dependent boundary conditions. Besides this, the approximate solution is decomposed into average and fluctuating components. The primer is obtained by integrating the equations over time, whereas the latter is a user‐defined EM. The methodology is investigated for both heat diffusion and coupled heat and mass transfer. It is demonstrated that the signal core of the boundary conditions is preserved and the physical restriction can be relaxed. The model proved to be reliable, accurate, and efficient also in comparison with the experimental data of 2 years. The implementation of the scarce time‐step of 1h is justified. It is shown, that by maintaining the tolerable error, it is possible to cut computational effort up to almost four times in comparison with the complete model with the same time grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-dimensional model is proposed for energy efficiency assessment through the simulation of heat transfer in building envelopes, considering the influence of the surrounding environment. The model is based on the Du Fort–Frankel approach that provides an explicit scheme with a relaxed stability condition. The model is first validated using an analytical solution and then compared to three other standard schemes. Results show that the proposed model offers a good compromise in terms of high accuracy and reduced computational efforts. Then, a more complex case study is investigated, considering non-uniform shading effects due to the neighboring buildings. In addition, the surface heat transfer coefficient varies with wind velocity and height, which imposes an addition non-uniform boundary condition. After showing the reliability of the model prediction, a comparison over almost 120 cities in France is carried out between the two- and the one-dimensional approaches of the current building simulation programs. Important discrepancies are observed for regions with high magnitudes of solar radiation and wind velocity. Last, a sensitivity analysis is carried out using a derivative-based approach. It enables to assess the variability of the solution according to the modeling of the two-dimensional boundary conditions. Moreover, the proposed model computes efficiently the solution and its sensitivity to the modeling of the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that knowledge of thermophysical parameters is a leading strategy to research effects of energy transfer in soils. The present article proposes an inverse analysis for numerical solving of nonlinear heat transfer problem to determine the thermophysical properties of two different soil types: sand and chernozem. First, estimation of thermophysical parameters is performed using temperature data from experimental set-up, which is two-chambered container for two soil types. Second, numerical algorithm is based on implicit Euler scheme for discretization, Newton method to solve nonlinear system of equations and Levenberg-Marquardt method to minimize nonlinear estimator with Tikhonov's regularization technique. Simulations have been efficiently carried out for two different soil types, showing that the reliability of the model is satisfying with a discrepancy between numerical predictions and experimental observations remaining within the measurement error. • Estimation of two soil types thermophysical properties. • Reliability of the model is satisfying. • Experimental set-up is used for parameters estimation. • Sensitivity coefficients by direct differentiation. • Robustness of calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sorption curve is an essential feature for the modelling of heat and mass transfer in porous building materials. Several models have been proposed in the literature to represent the amount of moisture content in the material according to the water activity (or capillary pressure) level. These models are based on analytical expressions and few parameters that need to be estimated by inverse analysis. This article investigates the reliability of eight models through the accuracy of the estimated parameters. For this, experimental data for a wood fibre material are generated with special attention to the stop criterion to capture long time kinetic constants. Among five sets of measurements, the best estimate is computed. The reliability of the models is then discussed. After proving the theoretical identifiability of the unknown parameters for each model, the primary identifiability is analysed. It evaluates whether the parameters influence on the model output is sufficient to proceed the parameter estimation with accuracy. For this, a continuous derivative-based approach is adopted. Seven models have a low primary identifiability for at least one parameter. Indeed, when estimating the unknown parameters using the experimental observations, the parameters with low primary identifiability exhibit large uncertainties. Finally, an Approximation Bayesian Computation algorithm is used to simultaneously select the best model and estimate the parameters that best represent the experimental data. The GAB and Fredlund-Xing models, together with a proposed model in this work, were the best ones selected by this algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models for the prediction of heat and mass transfers in building porous materials have been developed since the 90's with simulation programs such as MATCH, UMIDUS, DELPHIN and Wufi. These models are used to analyze the physical phenomena occurring and particularly the impact of moisture on buildings' energy performance and durability. With this goal in mind, it is important to validate the representation of the physical phenomena made by the numerical models. This article reviews recent studies comparing the results obtained with numerical models and experimental data. An overall trend can be observed for most of these studies, highlighting that the experimental front always rushes faster than the simulation results. Therefore, this study analyses theses comparisons to explain these discrepancies based on the effects of (i) the type of materials, (ii) the boundary conditions, (iii) the scale of the design facility, (iv) the model used to describe the physical phenomena and (v) the influence of the model input parameter. The general trend shows that discrepancies are observed most particularly for highly hygroscopic or bio-based materials. These discrepancies are also greater for time dynamic boundary conditions, particularly at the scale of the wall. Moreover, some of the assumptions on the properties of the materials used as input in the models are questioned. Indeed, the models considering the hysteresis effects and temperature dependency of the moisture storage capacity show better agreement with experimental data. Finally, the physical phenomena used in the models only consider diffusive transport while it appears that the advective of moisture through the porous material may play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a framework to model and predict the energy performance of an adaptive facade is proposed. A case study of a bio-inspired concept, called Stegos, is considered. This dynamic system manages thermal transfers through the facade by varying the color and position of rotating flaps. A prototype of this concept that was incorporated into a test bench was tested at a 1:1 scale and in real weather conditions, while the flaps color and angle were changed manually. The objective of the article was two-fold. First, using measurements, a reduced order model was identified by applying the Modal Identification Method (MIM). The training phase was divided into four consecutive steps. At each step, one day of corresponding experimental data is used. The reduced model provided reliable predictions of heat flux values induced by the prototype when the flaps were in a closed or fully open state. Second, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) was implemented to indicate the optimal configurations of the prototype for better energy efficiency. Case study used measurements of one week in winter and determined the color and angle of the flaps, which corresponded to the optimal solution. Closed black flaps during a day and open flaps during a night contributed to maximum heat gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at estimating the sorption isotherm coefficients of a wood fiber material using experimental data. First, the mathematical model, based on convective transport of moisture, the Optimal Experiment Design (OED) and the experimental set-up are presented. Then, measurements of relative humidity within the material are carried out, after searching the OED using the computation of the sensitivity functions and a priori values of the unknown parameters. It enables to plan the experimental conditions in terms of sensor positioning and boundary conditions out of 20 possible designs, ensuring the best accuracy for the identification method and, thus, for the estimated parameter. After the measurements, the parameter estimation problem is solved. The determined sorption isotherm coefficients calibrate the numerical model to fit better the experimental data. However, some discrepancies still appear since the hysteresis effects on the sorption capacity are not included in the model. Therefore, the latter is improved proposing an additional differential equation for the sorption capacity to consider the hysteresis effects. The OED approach is developed for the estimation of five of the coefficients involved in the hysteresis model. To conclude, the prediction of the model with hysteresis have better reliability when compared to the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A detailed mathematical model for the heat, air and mass transfer is achieved. • An efficient numerical model is proposed to save computational efforts. • Demonstration of numerical model efficiency (cpu time, accuracy) for a case study. • Evaluation of the reliability of the model by confronting to experimental results. Abstract This work presents a detailed mathematical model combined with an innovative efficient numerical model to predict heat, air and moisture transfer through porous building materials. The model considers the transient effects of air transport and its impact on the heat and moisture transfer. The achievement of the mathematical model is detailed in the continuity of L uikov 's work. A system composed of two advection–diffusion differential equations plus one exclusively diffusion equation is derived. The main issue to take into account the transient air transfer arises in the very small characteristic time of the transfer, implying very fine discretisation. To circumvent these difficulties, the numerical model is based on the D u F ort –F rankel explicit and unconditionally stable scheme for the exclusively diffusion equation. It is combined with a two–step R unge –K utta scheme in time with the S charfetter –G ummel numerical scheme in space for the coupled advection–diffusion equations. At the end, the numerical model enables to relax the stability condition, and, therefore, to save important computational efforts. A validation case is considered to evaluate the efficiency of the model for a nonlinear problem. Results highlight a very accurate solution computed about 16 times faster than standard approaches. After this numerical validation, the reliability of the mathematical model is evaluated by comparing the numerical predictions to experimental observations. The latter is measured within a multi-layered wall submitted to a sudden increase of vapor pressure on the inner side and driven climate boundary conditions on the outer side. A very satisfactory agreement is noted between the numerical predictions and experimental observations indicating an overall good reliability of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to propose an efficient numerical model for the predictions of capillary adsorption phenomena in a porous material. The Scharfetter-Gummel numerical scheme is proposed to solve an advection-diffusion equation with gravity flux. Its advantages such as accuracy, relaxed stability condition, and reduced computational cost are discussed along with the study of linear and nonlinear cases. The reliability of the numerical model is evaluated by comparing the numerical predictions with experimental observations of liquid uptake in bricks. A parameter estimation problem is solved to adjust the uncertain coefficients of moisture diffusivity and hydraulic conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an alternative view on the numerical simulation of diffusion processes applied to the heat and moisture transfer through porous building materials. Traditionally, by using the finite-difference approach, the discretization follows the Method Of Lines (MOL), when the problem is first discretized in space to obtain a large system of coupled Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). Thus, this paper proposes to change this viewpoint. First, we discretize in time to obtain a small system of coupled ODEs, which means instead of having a Cauchy (Initial Value) Problem (IVP), we have a Boundary Value Problem (BVP). Fortunately, BVPs can be solved efficiently today using adaptive collocation methods of high order. To demonstrate the benefits of this new approach, three case studies are presented, in which one of them is compared with experimental data. The first one considers nonlinear heat and moisture transfer through one material layer while the second one considers two material layers. Results show how the nonlinearities and the interface between materials are easily treated, by reasonably using a fourth-order adaptive method. Finally, the last case study compares numerical results with experimental measurements, showing a good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a practical application of the concept of Optimal Experiment Design (OED) for the determination of properties of porous materials with in situ measurements and an identification method. First, an experimental set-up was presented and used for the measurement of relative humidity within a wood fibre material submitted to single and multiple steps of relative humidity variation. Then, the application of OED enabled to plan the experimental conditions in terms of sensor positioning and boundary conditions out of 20 possible designs. The OED search was performed using the Fisher information matrix and a priori knowledge of the parameters. It ensures to provide the best accuracy of the identification method and thus the estimated parameter. Optimal design results have been found for single steps from the relative humidity ϕ = 10–75%, with one sensor located at the position X between 4 and 6 cm, for the estimation of moisture permeability coefficients, while from ϕ = 75 % to ϕ = 33 % , with one sensor located at X ∘ = 3 cm , for the estimation of the advection coefficient. The OED has also been applied for the identification of couples of parameters. A sample submitted to multiple relative humidity steps ( ϕ = 10–75–33–75%) with a sensor placed at X ∘ = 5 cm was found as the best option for determining both properties with the same experiment. These OED parameters have then been used for the determination of moisture permeability and advection coefficients. The estimated moisture permeability coefficients are twice higher than the a priori values obtained using standard methods. The advection parameter corresponds to the mass average velocity of the order of v = 0.01 mm / s within the material and may play an important role on the simulation of moisture front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2.7 Ga Iguilid mafic intrusion is a post-metamorphic plutonic body made of cumulate gabbronorite and norite characterized by limited variations in modal proportions but significant disparities in trace element contents. The cumulates display microtextural evidence for syn-magmatic deformation, leading to reorientation of cumulus minerals, indented contacts at plagioclase grain boundaries, local bending and fracturing of euhedral cumulus plagioclase and interstitial melt migration/ segregation structures. All these features suggest that the Iguilid intrusion formed after in situ crystallization and syn-magmatic deformation of an unconsolidated mush within solidification fronts. Quantitative investigations of syn-magmatic fabrics together with geochemical estimations of the trapped melt fraction reveal a strong inverse correlation between the anisotropy degree P and the volume of trapped liquid retained in the cumulates. We interpret the dominantly vertical planar and linear fabrics in the Iguilid rocks as a result of horizontal shortening of the cumulates induced by filter pressing of a partly solidified mush against the vertical walls of the intrusion. Flattening of the cumulates occurred in response either to a syn-magmatic rotation of the Iguilid body relative to the tectonic main stress or to stages of over- and under-pressurization owing to cycles of magma recharge or discharge. Deformation of the unconsolidated cumulates led to migration of the silicic interstitial melt and controlled their bulk content in incompatible elements. This migrating liquid had similar trace element and isotopic compositions to synchronous 2.7Ga dioritic to granodioritic plutons, forming a bimodal, post-metamorphic, magmatic suite with the Iguilid body. The interstitial melt extracted from the Iguilid mafic intrusion could have fed synchronous metaluminous intermediate to felsic plutons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an innovative method to minimise energy losses through building envelopes is presented, using the Proper Generalised Decomposition (PGD), written in terms of space x , time t , thermal diffusivity α and envelope thickness L . The physical phenomenon is solved at once, contrarily to classical numerical methods that cannot create a parameter dependent model. First, the PGD solution is validated with an analytical solution to prove its accuracy. Then a complex case study of a multi-layer wall submitted to transient boundary conditions is investigated. The parametric solution is computed as a function of the space and time coordinates, as well as the thermal insulation thickness and the load material thermal diffusivity. Physical behaviour and conduction loads are analysed for 76 values of thermal insulation thickness and 100 types of load material properties. Furthermore, the reduced computational cost of the PGD is highlighted. The method computes the solution 100 times faster than standard numerical approaches. In addition, the PGD solution has a low storage cost, providing interesting development of parametric solutions for real-time applications of energy management in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of estimating material properties of porous walls based on in-site measurements and identification method, this paper presents the concept of Optimal Experiment Design (OED). It aims at searching the best experimental conditions in terms of quantity and position of sensors and boundary conditions imposed to the material. These optimal conditions ensure to provide the maximum accuracy of the identification method and thus the estimated parameters. The search of the OED is done by using the Fisher information matrix and a priori knowledge of the parameters. The methodology is applied for two case studies. The first one deals with purely conductive heat transfer. The concept of optimal experiment design is detailed and verified with 100 inverse problems for different experiment designs. The second case study combines a strong coupling between heat and moisture transfer through a porous building material. The methodology presented is based on a scientific formalism for efficient planning of experimental work that can be extended to the optimal design of experiments related to other problems in thermal and fluid sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the proper generalized decomposition (PGD) is used for model reduction in the solution of an inverse heat conduction problem within the Bayesian framework. Two PGD reduced order models are proposed and the approximation Error model (AEM) is applied to account for the errors between the complete and the reduced models. For the first PGD model, the direct problem solution is computed considering a separate representation of each coordinate of the problem during the process of solving the inverse problem. On the other hand, the second PGD model is based on a generalized solution integrating the unknown parameter as one of the coordinates of the decomposition. For the second PGD model, the reduced solution of the direct problem is computed before the inverse problem within the parameter space provided by the prior information about the parameters, which is required to be proper. These two reduced models are evaluated in terms of accuracy and reduction of the computational time on a transient three-dimensional two region inverse heat transfer problem. In fact, both reduced models result on substantial reduction of the computational time required for the solution of the inverse problem, and provide accurate estimates for the unknown parameter due to the application of the approximation error model approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A proper generalised decomposition for solving inverse heat conduction problems is proposed in this article as an innovative method offering important numerical savings. It is based on the solution of a parametric problem, considering the unknown parameter as a coordinate of the problem. Then, considering this solution, all sets of cost function can be computed as a function of the unknown parameter of the defined domain, identifying the argument that minimises the cost function. In order to illustrate the applicability, the method is used to solve a non-linear inverse heat conduction problem to determine a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity. Then, a comparison is carried out with the local sensitivity and the genetic algorithm methods. It is shown that the proper generalised decomposition method estimates the unknown parameter with the same accuracy as the other two methods. Due to its advantage in terms of reducing the complexity, the method was then used to solve a transient three-dimensional non-linear heat transfer inverse problem. The results have shown that the method is appropriate to determine the unknown parameter with a low computational cost. Furthermore, the main advantage of the technique is its low capacity for storage, which can be used, as an inverse method, for building energy management and extended to evaluate thermal bridges from on-site measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the environmental context, numerical modeling is a promising approach to assess the energy efficiency of building. Resilient buildings need to be designed, capable of adapting to future extreme heat. Simulations are required assuming a one-dimensional heat transfer problem through walls and a simulation horizon of several years (nearly 30). The computational cost associated with such modeling is quite significant and model reduction methods are worth investigating. The objective is to propose a reliable reduced-order model for such long-term simulations. For this, an alternative model reduction approach is investigated, assuming a known Proper Orthogonal Decomposition reduced basis for time, and not for space as usually. The model enables computing parametric solutions using basis interpolation on the tangent space of the Grassmann manifold. Three study cases are considered to verify the efficiency of the reduced-order model. Results highlight that the model has a satisfying accuracy of 10 - 3 compared to reference solutions. The last case study focuses on the wall energy efficiency design under climate change according to a four-dimensional parameter space. The latter is composed of the load material emissivity, heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thickness insulation layer. Simulations are carried over 30 years considering climate change. The solution minimizing the wall work rate is determined with a computational ratio of 0.1 % compared to standard approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report new mapping, tectonic, metamorphic and U–Pb zircon dating data on the polyphased Tachakoucht–Iriri and Tourtit arc-related units within the Moroccan Pan-African belt (Sirwa window, Anti-Atlas). The studied area contains four different sub-units, from south to north: (1) the Tachakoucht gneisses intruded to its northern part by (2) Iriri intrusions. To the north, the Tachakoucht–Iriri massif is thrusted by (3) the south-verging 760 Ma Khzama ophiolitic sequence intruded by (4) the Tourtit meta-granitic complex. The Tachakoucht gneiss represents former andesitic to dacitic porphyritic rocks crystallized around 740–720 Ma in an intra-oceanic arc setting (IOAS). Subsequently, it has been buried and metamorphosed to 700 °C, 8 kbar in response to early accretion of the arc onto the West African Craton (WAC). This tectono-metamorphic event also led to the dismembering and stacking of back-arc ophiolite onto the arc unit. Subsequently, the Iriri intrusions, a suite of hydrous mafic dykes (hornblende gabbro and fine-grained basalt) and ultramafic (hornblendite) plutons showing subduction zone affinities, intruded the Tachakoucht gneiss under P – T conditions of 750–800 °C and 2–5 kbar. Emplacement of Iriri intrusions led locally to pronounced partial melting of the Tachakoucht gneiss and to the production of leucogranitic melts. These melts crop out into the Iriri–Tachakoucht gneiss contacts as leucogneissic bands (former leucosomes, dated at 651 ± 5 Ma) but also intruded the Khzama ophiolite to form the Tourtit granite (dated at 651 ± 3 Ma). These ages (651–641 Ma) also constrain the timing of Iriri intrusion emplacement. The entire complex has been overprinted by a second deformation event under greenschist to amphibolite facies conditions marked by transposition of primary structures and a development of mylonitic shear zones. These results and those published on the Bou Azzer window show that two phases of subduction-related magmatism occurred in the Anti-Atlas belt and that they were separated by an early accretion of the intra-oceanic arc system (IOAS) onto the West African craton passive margin. Our interpretations also validate thermo-mechanical models predicting an intense perturbation of subduction dynamics during arc-continent collision ( i.e. composite subductions, polarity reversal) which can expand the production of typical hydrous arc magma and induces a late magmatic phase after partial or total accretion of the IOAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative and efficient ways to carry out numerical simulations are worth of investigation to reduce the computational complexity of building models and make it possible to solve complex problems. This paper presents a reduced order model, based on Proper Generalised Decomposition (PGD), to assess 2-dimensional heat and moisture transfer in walls. This model is associated with the multizone model Domus using an indirect coupling method. Both models are co-simulated to perform whole-building hygrothermal simulation, considering 2D transfer in walls. The whole-building model is first validated with data from the IEA Annex 41. Then, a case study is considered taking into account a 2-zones building with an intermediary shared wall modelled in 2 dimensions to illustrate the importance of the technique to analyse the hygrothermal behaviour of the wall. It has been highlighted that the whole model enables to perform more precisely analyses such as mould growth on the internal surface. In addition, important theoretical numerical savings (90%) are observed when compared to the large original model. However, the effective numerical savings are not so important (40%) due to the limitations of the co-simulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative and efficient ways to perform numerical simulations are worth investigations to reduce the computational complexity of building models and permit to solve complex problems. This paper proposes a Proper Generalised Decomposition (PGD) model reduction technique for heat and moisture multizone modelling. First, the transient multizone problem is written using PGD formalism and solved in a non-incremental way to assess hygrothermal fields. The computational complexity and accuracy of results of the reduced-order model and the large original model are compared, highlighting that the fields are precisely represented with the PGD resolution. The complexity of the reduced-order model is lower, offering interesting numerical savings, particularly when the number of the building zones increases. The second advantage of the method is for solving parametric problems. Two illustrations are proposed. The first considers a climate and ventilation flow rates parametric multizone problem. The PGD model analyse the behaviour of building zones as a function of these two extra-parameters. For the second, an initial condition and source-term PGD parametric solution is computed. It is then coupled with a wall model to perform whole-building hygrothermal simulation. For both studies, the model represents accurately the hygrothermal fields in the different zones with important computational savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephelinites and phonolites from the Moroccan Anti-Atlas form a cogenetic series of volcanic rocks linked by a fractional crystallization process and showing continuous evolutionary trends for trace-elements. According to partial melting calculations, minor element data in olivine and review of published experimental studies, the most primitive nephelinites are low degree (~ 2%) partial melts from a carbonated LREE-rich spinel lherzolite. Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions indicate the participation of both DM and HIMU end-members in the mantle source of nephelinites; the HIMU component is here interpreted as a relic of the shallow metasomatized Pan-African mantle. The phonolites show similar isotopic composition except for slightly more radiogenic Sr isotopic values. Fractional crystallization calculations were performed using trace-element mineral/bulk rock coefficients determined with new LA-ICP-MS data on minerals together with published equilibrium partition coefficients. The decrease of LREE, Sr and Ba with increasing differentiation is explained by fractionation of large amounts of apatite. Th, Nb and Zr display a behavior of very incompatible elements, reaching extreme concentration in most differentiated phonolites. Ta, Hf and MREE by contrast are characterized by a moderately incompatible to compatible behavior during differentiation. Fractionation of small amount of titanite, in which Ta, Hf and MREE are highly compatible compared to Nb, Zr and LREE (DNb/DTa: 2, DZr/DHf: 1.5 for titanite/phonolite ratios), explains the observed increase in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios with increasing silica content, from 18 and 40 in nephelinites to 70 and 80 in phonolites, respectively. Clinopyroxene also contributed to the fractionation of Hf from Zr in the very first steps of crystallization. The low values of Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios observed in the two most differentiated Si-rich phonolites are probably a consequence of late stage segregation of volatile-rich agpaitic assemblages in the underlying magma chamber. Two phonolites with extreme Sr contents plot outside fractionation trends, as a result of the remelting of previously crystallized nephelinitic rocks in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current hygrothermal behaviour prediction models neglect the hysteresis phenomenon. This leads to a discrepancy between numerical and experimental results, and a miscalculation of buildings' durability. In this paper, a new mathematical model of hysteresis is proposed and implemented in a hygrothermal model to reduce this discrepancy. The model is based on a symmetry property between sorption curves and uses also a homotopic transformation relative to a parameter s ∈ [ 0 , 1 ]. The advantage of this model lies in its ease of use and implementation since it could be applied with the knowledge of only one main sorption curve by considering s = 0 , in other words, we only use the axisymmetric property here. In the case where the other main sorption curve is known, we use this curve to incorporate the homotopy property in order to calibrate the parameter s.The full version of the proposed model is called Axisymmetric + Homotopic. Furthermore, it was compared not only with the experimental sorption curves of different types of materials but also with a model that is well known in the literature (CARMELIET's model). This comparison shows that the Axisymmetric + Homotopic model reliably predicts hysteresis loops of various types of materials even with the knowledge of only one of the main sorption curves. However, the full version of Axisymmetric + Homotopic model is more reliable and covers a large range of materials. The proposed model was incorporated into the mass transfer model. The simulation results strongly match the experimental ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Tassendjanet eclogites formed during Neoproterozoic continental subduction. [•] Syn-collisional exhumation dated at 623±2Ma. [•] Igneous precursors formed in the shoulder of a continental rift around 700Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Nkob talc deposit formed by contact metamorphism and hydrothermalism in siliceous dolostone. • Olivine and phlogopite formed during the high temperature (>500 °C) stage. • Infiltration of H 2 O-Si fluids in marbles formed abundant serpentine and talc (<520 °C). • Talc 1 formed by retrogression of tremolite, talc 2 after prograde consumption of dolomite. The Nkob talc deposit located in the central Anti-Atlas Pan-African belt is hosted by magnesian and siliceous metacarbonates in the contact aureole of the Ediacaran Amassine granite. It consists of a stratified succession of green serpentine-rich marbles, black dolomitic marbles, talcitites and phlogopitites (variously retrogressed into chloritites) enclosed within andalusite metapelite hornfels and quartzites. Two main metamorphic stages have been defined for the formation of the marbles and talcitites: (1) high-temperature recrystallization occurred under amphibolite facies conditions (>500 °C). Temperature increase during granite emplacement led to the formation of forsterite, tremolite, phlogopite (±diopside) bearing assemblages in siliceous marbles and to transformation of dolomitic (calcite-free) marbles from pure dolostones. This high temperature stage is also characterized by the growth of andalusite porphyroblasts in the metapelites surrounding the deposit. (2) A low temperature retrograde hydrothermal stage characterized by the reactive infiltration of aqueous silica-rich fluid (presumably derived from the granitic body), in greenschist facies conditions (<520 °C). Hydrous silicate minerals, mostly serpentine and talc (+calcite), were formed during this stage within the rocks (after fluid infiltration along grain boundaries) or within veins (marking channeled fluid circulation). Talc in ores formed by two processes at Nkob: acicular talc near the granite formed after the breakdown of tremolite in a temperature range of 350 to 500 °C, while tabular talc in the external aureole formed via reaction between dolomite and siliceous-aqueous fluids in temperatures below 350 °C. The different types of marbles derive from pure to slightly siliceous dolomite but green and green-black marbles were strongly affected by interactions with siliceous-aqueous fluids forming serpentine-phlogopite veins with calcite reaction zones. The talcitite layers were also affected by similar hydrothermal H 2 O-Si enrichment but their dolomitic precursor probably contained a more important detrital silicate fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Archean Guelb el Azib layered complex (GAC) in the West African craton of Mauritania is composed of an association of serpentinites, chromitites, amphibolites and anorthosites with few fine-grained amphibolite dykes. The complex forms tectonic slices in 2.9–3.5Ga TTG gneiss terrains in close association with supracrustal rocks (BIFs, impure marbles, amphibolites). It was affected by a main granulite-facies grade metamorphism (up to 900°C at 5–6kbar) with subsequent retrogression in amphibolite and greenschist facies conditions. The preserved igneous macrostructures, the mineral compositions and the nature of relic magmatic assemblages have been used to constrain the composition of the parental melts and the conditions of crystallization. According to petrological observations and to comparison with experimental data, the formation of the complex can be explained by fractionation of a slightly hydrous high-alumina basaltic melt at low pressure. The early fractionation of olivine and the absence of massive clinopyroxene fractionation before plagioclase saturation led to crystallization of highly calcic plagioclase with Fe-, Al-rich but Cr-poor chromite from a hydrous tholeiitic parental magma, similar to worldwide Archean tholeiites. The complex shares many similarities with Archean anorthosite layered complexes, possibly formed in a supra-subduction zone environment according to results obtained on similar 2.9–3.0Ga complexes from Greenland and India (namely Fiskenaesset and Sittampundi). Three phases of PGE mineralization affected the GAC chromitites: (i) igneous crystallization of laurite; (ii) formation of late magmatic IPGE sulpho-arsenides (irarsite–hollingworthite) and (iii) hydrothermal Pt–Pd mineralization represented by sperrylite and rustenburgite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We show here that the Amalaoulaou complex, in the Pan-African belt of West Africa (Gourma, Mali), corresponds to the lower and middle sections of a Neoproterozoic intra-oceanic arc. This complex records a 90-130-Ma-long evolution of magmatic inputs and differentiation above a subducting oceanic slab. Early c. 793 Ma-old metagabbros crystallised at lower crustal or uppermost mantle depths (25-30 km) and have geochemical characteristic of high-alumina basalts extracted from a depleted mantle source slightly enriched by slab-derived sedimentary components ((La/Sm) < 1; ε: +5.4-6.2; Sr/Sr: 0.7027-0.7029). In response to crustal thickening, these mafic rocks were recrystallised into garnet-granulites (850-1,000°C; 10-12 kbar) and subject to local dehydration-melting reactions, forming trondhjemititic leucosomes with garnet-clinopyroxene-rutile residues. Slightly after the granulitic event, the arc root was subject to strong HT shearing during partial exhumation (detachment faults/rifting or thrusting), coeval with the emplacement of spinel- and garnet-pyroxenite dykes crystallised from a high-Mg andesitic parental magma. Quartz and hornblende-gabbros (700-660 Ma) with composition typical of hydrous volcanic rocks from mature arcs ((La/Sm): 0.9-1.8; ε: +4.6 to +5.2; Sr/Sr: 0.7028-0.7031) were subsequently emplaced at mid-arc crust levels (~15 km). Trace element and isotopic data indicate that magmas tapped a depleted mantle source significantly more enriched in oceanic sedimentary components (0.2%). Exhumation occurred either in two stages (700-660 and 623 Ma) or in one stage (623 Ma) with a final exhumation of the arc root along cold P-T path (550°C, 6-9 kbar; epidote-amphibolite and greenschist facies conditions) during the main Pan-African collision event (620-580 Ma). The composition of magmas forming the Cryogenian Amalaoulaou arc and the processes leading to intra-arc differentiation are strikingly comparable to those observed in the deep section of exposed Mezosoic oceanic arcs, namely the Kohistan and Talkeetna complex. This evolution of the Amalaoulaou oceanic arc and its accretion towards the West African craton belong to the life and closure of the Pharusian Ocean that eventually led to the formation of the Greater Gondwana supercontinent, a similar story having occurred on the other side of the Sahara with the Mozambique Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kyanite and zoisite eclogites from the Limousin area in the Variscan French Massif Central (FMC) have been formed by deep subduction to 100km depth at peak pressure–temperature conditions around 660°C and 2.9GPa. They belong to a thin tectonic unit comprising ophiolitic bodies devoid of HP-UHP markers and forming a transported suture zone now separating the two main lithotectonic units of the FMC with contrasted tectono-metamorphic features (namely the lower and upper allochthons). Composition of kyanite–eclogites is similar to supra-subduction-zone basalts found in back-arc basins or island arcs (LREE depleted, negative Nb–Ta anomalies, εNd: +6 to +9). Zoisite eclogites have the major-element fingerprint of ultrabasic iron-rich plagioclase cumulates common in continental intrusions or forming Fe–Ti oceanic gabbros. The distribution of immobile trace-elements is however more comparable to alkaline Si-undersaturated rocks, but the Sr–Nd isotopic composition (87Sr/86Sr: 0.706; εNd: −3 to −5) suggests the intervention of an old radiogenic crustal component during their petrogenesis. The chemical composition of hydrous zoisite eclogites does not correspond closely to a common magmatic precursor. It is thus suggested that, by analogy with well exposed worldwide HP-UHP terranes, at least a part of the trace-element signature and the isotopic compositions are controlled by channelled fluid–rock interaction at UHP conditions, leading to localised segregation of zoisite that hosts nearly all Sr and LREE budgets of the bulk eclogite. Sr–Nd isotopic composition of these samples is thus controlled by zoisite and probably represents the isotopic composition of the fluid phase present during UHP recrystallisation. Zircons extracted from a zoisite eclogite were dated in-situ by LA-ICP-MS. Crystallisation of the magmatic precursor is bracketed between 489 and 475Ma and the UHP event is dated at 412±10Ma, in agreement with published ages for the Eo-Variscan HP stage in the FMC. A late resetting of the U–Pb isotopic system at 382±7Ma is related to an anatectic high pressure–medium pressure event, well known in the Limousin area. The oceanic eclogites dated in this study are tentatively linked to the Galicia–South Brittany Lower Paleozoic Ocean; they show evidence of the existence of an intra-oceanic subduction zone at the Lower Ordovician and of partial closure of this oceanic domain by ocean–continent subduction during Early Devonian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The catenary pantograph contact force is an essential element for railway electric power supply. SNCF needs to know this effort for new trains and networks design but also for catenary defaults detection. The current used measurement technique is based on a stiff bow assumption, which restricts the frequency band validity under the bow first natural frequency. This limitation must be overtaken for high speed and defaults detection; therefore, an inverse method, based on a bow modal analysis, is applied. Vibratec has a large background in inverse methods development and application [6,7] but the catenary pantograph specificity is that the contact location on the bow is unknown. The bow dynamic equilibrium equations allow to compute the level and the location of the contact force. The experimental results, obtained from a dedicated test bench, show a large increase of the useful frequency band, which moves from 45 Hz to 120 Hz. In the future, this band could be enlarge by using additional bow deformation modes. A Matlab application is achieved for post-processing the measured data and calculating the contact force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amalaoulaou Neoproterozoic island-arc massif belongs to the Gourma belt in Mali. The metagabbros and pyroxenites forming the main body of this arc root show the pervasive development of garnet. In the pyroxenites, the latter has grown by reaction between pyroxene and spinel during isobaric cooling. By contrast, in the metagabbros, garnet textures and relations to felsic veins exclude an origin through solid-state reactions only. It is proposed that garnet has grown following dehydration and localized melting of amphibole-bearing gabbros at the base of the arc. The plagioclase-saturated melts represented by anorthositic veins in the metagabbros and by trondhjemites in the upper part of the massif provide evidence for melting in the deep arc crust, which locally generated high-density garnet-clinopyroxene-rutile residues. Garnet growth and melting began around 850 °C at 10 kbar and the tonalitic melts were most probably generated around 1050 °C at P ≤ 10 kbar. This HT granulitic imprint can be related to arc maturation, leading to a P - T increase in the deep arc root and dehydration and/or dehydration-melting of amphibole-bearing gabbros. Observation of such features in the root of this Neoproterozoic island arc has important consequences, as it provides a link to models concerning the early generation of continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultramafic and mafic xenoliths of magmatic origin, sampled in the Beaunit vent (northern French Massif Central), derive from the Permian (257 Ma) Beaunit layered complex (BLC) that was emplaced at the crust-mantle transition zone (∼1 GPa). These plutonic xenoliths are linked to a single fractional crystallisation process in four steps: peridotitic cumulates; websteritic cumulates; Al-rich mafic cumulates (plagioclase, pyroxenes, garnet, amphibole and spinel) and finally low-Al mafic cumulates. This sequence of cumulates can be related to the compositional evolution of hydrous Mg basaltic magma that evolved to high-Al basalt and finally to andesitic basalt. Sr and Nd isotopic compositions confirm the co-genetic character of the various magmatic xenoliths and argue for an enriched upper mantle source comparable to present mantle wedges above subduction zones. LILE, LREE and Pb enrichment are a common feature of all xenoliths and argue for an enriched sub-alkaline transitional parental magma. The existence of a Permian magma chamber at 30 km depth suggests that the low-velocity zone observed locally beneath the Moho probably does not represent an anomalous mantle but rather a sequence of mafic/ultramafic cumulates with densities close to those of mantle rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• D-optimum criterion is applied to select an optimal experiment duration. • Identifiability of parameters is demonstrated. • Thermal conductivity is estimated over the reduced measurement plan. • Parameter estimation problem is solved with hybrid optimization method. • Reliability of the model for one year experiment is achieved. The in situ estimation of the thermal properties of existing building wall materials is a computationally expensive procedure. Its cost is highly proportional to the duration of measurements. To decrease the computational cost a methodology using a D-optimum criterion to select an optimal experiment duration is proposed. This criterion allows to accurately estimate the thermal properties of the wall using a reduced measurement plan. The methodology is applied to estimate the thermal conductivity of the three-layer wall of a historical building in France. Three different experiment sequences (one, three and seven days) and three spatial distributions of the thermal conductivity are investigated. Then using the optimal duration of observations the thermal conductivity is estimated using the hybrid optimization method. Results show a significant reduction of computational time; and reliable simulation of physical phenomena using the estimated values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliability of mathematical models for heat and mass transfer in building porous material is of capital importance. A reliable model permits to carry predictions of the physical phenomenon with sufficient confidence in the results. Among the physical phenomena, the hysteresis effects on moisture sorption and moisture capacity need to be integrated in the mathematical model of transfer. This article proposes to explore the use of an smooth Bang–Bang model to simulate the hysteresis effects coupled with heat and mass transfer in porous material. This model adds two supplementary differential equations to the two classical ones for heat and mass transfer. The solution of these equations ensures smooth transitions between the main sorption and desorption curves. Two parameters are required to control the speed of transition through the intermediary curves. After the mathematical description of the model, an efficient numerical model is proposed to compute the fields with accuracy and reduced computational efforts. It is based on the Du Fort–Frankel scheme for the heat and mass balance equations. For the hysteresis numerical model, an innovative implicit–explicit approach is proposed. Then, the predictions of the numerical model are compared with experimental observations from literature for two case studies. The first one corresponds to a slow cycle of adsorption and desorption while the second is based on a fast cycling case with alternative increase and decrease of moisture content. The comparisons highlight a very satisfactory agreement between the numerical predictions and the observations. In the last Section, the reliability and efficiency of the proposed model is investigated for long term simulation cases. The importance of considering hysteresis effects in the reliability of the predictions are enhanced by comparison with classical approaches from literature. • Building numerical model for heat and mass transfer with hysteresis effects. • Use of Bang–Bang model for modeling hysteresis on moisture sorption and capacity. • Comparison of the model reliability with two experimental benchmark from literature. • Saved computational effort and satisfactory agreement with experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Moroccan oceanic arc shows episodic magmatism with a 40–50 Myr tempo. • Episodic magmatism appears to be driven by with tectonic shortening, crustal thickening and delamination. We present an integrated study combining detailed field, geochronological and geochemical data of a Neoproterozoic intra-oceanic arc systems exposed in the Pan-African belt of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas. The arc rock units exposed in Bou Azzer and Sirwa inliers consist of a tectonic patchwork of back-arc ophiolitic sequences to the north thrusted onto accreted arc complexes to the south. Arc complexes are composed of amphibolite, granodioritic and granitic gneisses intruded by various undeformed hydrous ultramafic (hornblendite), mafic (hornblende-gabbro, diorite) and felsic (granodiorite, tonalite, granite) arc lithologies. We show that these complexes are remnants of a long-lived (120 Myr) Neoproterozoic oceanic arc, punctuated by three successive magmatic episodes (760–730 Ma, 710–690 Ma, 660–640 Ma respectively) interspersed with periods of magmatic quiescence. The typical geochemical arc signature and positive ƐNd t values for the igneous rocks emplaced during each magmatic episode (medians at +7.1, +5.4 and +5.7, from older to younger) attest that their parental magmas derived from a depleted mantle source without substantial assimilation by the WAC older crustal basement. Trace-element geochemistry, i.e. Sr/Y, La/Yb, of intermediate to felsic arc rocks produced during each magmatic pulse suggests that the arc crust was thickened (>30–35 km) over a short time period between the first and second magmatic episodes (730–710 Ma) which coincides with an important regional shortening event. Soft-docking of the oceanic arc on a buoyant transitional margin is invoked to explain tectonic inversion in overriding plate, leading to shortening and related thickening of the arc crust. Concomitant magmatic shutdown resulting from a reorganization of subduction dynamics (i.e. change in slab geometry, flip in subduction polarity). A non-tectonic critical thickening of the arc crust is invoked to explain the second magmatic shutdown (680–660 Ma), by freezing the subarc mantle influx. This lull period is followed by a third magmatic episode which is likely triggered by delamination of the dense lower crust and reactivation of subarc mantle flow. This is supported by the bimodal chemical signature of evolved magmatic products, suggesting two distinct sources partial melts from the foundered lower crust and new magmatic products which differentiated from a post-delamination thinned crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moisture is one of the main issues in building disorders. It can lead to microorganism's growth, material deterioration and impact on energy consumption. A comprehensive overview on the scale of the country considering climatic conditions may be an important starting point for potential moisture risks in building analyses. In this paper, we present a method in which weather-based indicators are developed for a first outline of the potential moisture risk in buildings considering the main climatic sources of moisture. The proposed method is related to weather parameters, comprising two new indicators - in a total of three - that are plotted in the country map using Geographic Information System to spatially represent the risk across the country territory. The method is applied for Brazil, and results indicate high weather-based moisture risks in highly densely populated areas. The case study highlights the importance of the presented methodology as a first analysis of potential moisture risk on a country scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue to predict the behavior of building materials during wide horizons of time is still challenging. Experimental set-ups, since they require to perform tests for several years, are costly, never at the full scale and inconvenient. Building Performance Simulation (BPS) programs are designed to perform predictions on computational machines and cut experimental costs significantly. Nonetheless, in the recent review of state–of–the–art, it was indicated that despite the wide range of programs, there are still some drawbacks in terms of the accuracy and the high computational cost. This paper investigates the application of an innovative numerical method, called Super–Time–Stepping (STS) method. It allows performing accurate simulations with time-steps much larger than with standard explicit approaches. These "super" time-steps also enable us to reduce the computational cost. In addition to that, the design of the method allows easier application for models in higher dimensions and with nonlinear parameters. The efficiency of the method is tested on linear and nonlinear academic cases. Further study for the reliability of the model is performed on an experimental case study. The experiment has been carried out on a rammed earth wall during almost 14 months. Obtained data is presented in this article and implemented into proposed model. As a result of the case studies, it is shown that in comparison to the euler explicit method, the STS methods can cut costs by more than five times while maintaining high accuracy and efficiency. A very fine analysis of the physical phenomena is also performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reliability of model for heat and mass transfer in porous material is achieved. • An efficient numerical model is proposed to save computational efforts. • Inverse problem is solved to estimate uncertain input parameter. • Identifiability of the seven unknown coefficients is demonstrated. • Other experimental data are used to benchmark the numerical prediction of the model. The reliability of a model is its accuracy in predicting the physical phenomena. In this paper, the robustness of a model of heat and mass transfer in a porous material is evaluated by comparing the numerical predictions with experimental observations. An experimental facility composed of an enclosure made with spruce CLT panels is used. An increase of temperature is applied in the inside air volume to force the heat transfer from the inner to the outer surfaces. Sensors inside the material enables to have experimental observations of the physical phenomena. Before bench-marking the numerical model, a first set of experimental data is used to reduce the two major source of uncertainties in the model. Indeed, the first source arises from surface heat and mass transfer coefficients, usually determined by empirical correlations. The second comes the thermal conductivity of the material which is defined through standard methods as invariant for the three layers of the spruce panels. To overcome this issue, a set of seven uncertain parameters are estimated using an hybrid optimizer after demonstrating their theoretical and practical identifiability. Then, the reliability of the numerical model, based on the Du Fort–Frankel explicit scheme, is evaluated by comparison to a second set of experimental data obtained in another wall of the enclosure. A very satisfactory agreement is remarked showing the accuracy of the model to predict the physical phenomena in this hygroscopic porous material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French Massif Central, belonging to the European Variscan Belt, contains two structural units presenting evidences for high pressure metamorphism. The Upper Gneiss Unit (UGU) consists of migmatitic paragneisses intercalated with lenses of retrogressed eclogites. The Intermediate Gneiss Unit (IGU) is dominated by high pressure garnet micaschists associated with orthogneisses and fresh eclogite relics. Two eclogite outcrops from the western Massif Central separated by less than 30 km but belonging to two different tectono-metamorphic units have been investigated in this study.The UGU eclogites are largely retrogressed into garnet amphibolites. The omphacite is rarely preserved and the garnet is partially replaced by amphibole-plagioclase symplectites. Composition of garnet cores in one sample yielded imprecise eclogitic pressure-temperature conditions around 620-700°C, 17-23 kbar (~9°C/km). Garnet mantles and amphibole-plagioclase intergrowths were equilibrated at 730-800°C for a pressure of 6-10 kbar (~20-35°C/km), indicating that these retrogressed eclogites were significantly heated during exhumation. The IGU samples are fresh kyanite-amphibole eclogites with preserved omphacite and eclogitic, pyrope-rich, garnet. Phase diagram calculations indicate eclogitic conditions at 650°C, 25 kbar (7°C/km) compatible with garnet-clinopyroxene-kyanite-quartz thermobarometric estimates (600-650°C, 20-25 kbar). The retrograde path shows no significant warming during exhumation, as temperatures do not exceeded 650°C at pressures <20 kbar.The different retrograde paths for grossly similar peak pressure conditions suggest different exhumation processes for UGU and IGU eclogites. The high temperature evolution of UGU eclogites during exhumation is similar to the one recorded in host rocks, where thermal metamorphism has been dated around 365-360 Ma. This period is also characterized by active margin magmatism in the same unit proving that the eclogites were accreted to the upper plate before 365 Ma. According to literature review, such exhumation and accretion processes can be driven by slab rollback and/or underplating by basal accretion. The low temperature decompression path of IGU eclogites is in turn typical of exhumation within a subduction channel which lead a rapid rise of high pressure rocks without significant warming.Beyond the exhumation processes, it would be primordial to know if this duality results from a single subduction event with successive exhumations or two different subductions. These questions will be explored through forthcoming multimethod geochronology (Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf on garnet; U-Pb on zircon) and geochemical-isotopic characterization of the two occurrences of eclogites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report Ca isotope fractionation among a co-genetic suite of samples from the Mauritanian Guelb el Azib ultramafic-mafic-anorthosite complex (GAC), which represents the fractional crystallization sequence of an igneous magma chamber. We investigate how the composition of an evolving crystallizing liquid and the resultant mineralogy of co-crystallizing assemblages affects inter-phase Ca isotope fractionation. Because the GAC is an Archean metamorphosed complex, we first investigate the resistance of the Ca isotope signature to secondary hydrothermal alteration and to metamorphism. While we cannot conclude here that Ca isotopes are undisturbed at the mineral scale, we show that they are preserved at the bulk rock scale. This is adequate for our study where several samples are almost monomineralic at the bulk scale level. The δ44/40Ca (relative to NIST standard SRM 915a) of GAC layers range from −1.53 to 1.61‰, with the earliest-formed ultramafic cumulate layer being isotopically heaviest and the later, more felsic layers being isotopically lighter. For the first time, we show that plagioclase is much more enriched in light Ca isotopes compared to olivine and (Ca-) pyroxene. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that Ca isotopes are fractionated among co-existing silicate minerals during fractional crystallization, possibly in relation with the residual liquid composition. In qualitative agreement with computational models based on first principles lattice dynamics, we observe that Ca isotope fractionation is mineralogically controlled and importantly, that the degree of fractionation can vary according to the CaO composition of the residual liquid. While previous studies have aimed to understand partial melting as a source of Ca isotope fractionation, our results suggest that fractional crystallization is also a source of Ca isotope variability among co-genetic samples. Highlights • Co-genetic samples from the Guelb el Azib ultramafic-mafic-anorthosite complex (GAC) show Ca isotope fractionation. • The Ca isotopic compositions of GAC rocks span 3.18‰; ultramafic cumulates are isotopically heavier than more felsic layers. • Fractional crystallization could be a source of Ca isotope variability among co-genetic samples. • Plagioclase is much more enriched in light Ca isotopes compared to olivine and (Ca-) pyroxene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is devoted to proposing a hybrid numerical–analytical method to address the problem of heat and moisture transfer in porous soils. Several numerical and analytical models have been used to study heat and moisture transfer. The complexity of the coupled transfer in soils is such that analytical solutions exist only for limited problems, while numerical solutions can deal with more realistic ones but at a higher computational cost. Therefore, we propose to implement analytical solutions where variations of temperature and moisture content are known to be almost nonvarying, while the numerical solution is implemented in the remaining region, near the boundaries. The coupling between solutions is performed assuming the continuity of both fields and fluxes at each interface. This strategy allows assuring the physical phenomenon occurring at the interface. Numerical experiments are performed, showing the accuracy, the efficiency, and the great potential of the method regarding applications in nonlinear soil problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the authors' comments on the article "Flow of Canary Mantle Plume Material Through a Subcontinental Lithospheric Corridor Beneath Africa to the Mediterranean," by S. Duggen and colleagues. They propose that the mantle plume postulated at the origin of Canary Island volcanism triggers Atlas Cenozoic alkaline volcanism, and also contributes to tectonic events. However, it is said that Duggen's use of the plume model cannot survive if all available constraints are considered.

In this article, both numerical and experimental investigations were carried out on the durability of hemp concrete. For this, an accelerated aging process was performed using cycles of immersion, freezing and drying. Then, an experimental campaign was enabled to determine heat and mass transfer properties, as well as the microstructure for both aged and reference materials. Observations using a digital microscope showed the appearance of cracks at the interfaces and an increase of the porosity of about 6%. These microstructural modifications imply a non-negligible evolution of heat and mass transfer properties. Thus, a numerical model for the prediction of heat and mass transfer was developed. The prediction of physical phenomena was computed using both aged and reference material properties. It highlights the aging effects on the behaviour of the hemp concrete. The numerical simulation results showed significant discrepancies between the predicted relative humidity values for the two configurations (aged and reference) of about 18% and a maximum phase shift of 40 min, due to the amplification of the mass transfer kinetics after aging. Nevertheless, few deviations in temperature values were found. Thus, after aging, sensible heat fluxes were overestimated compared to the reference case, unlike latent heat fluxes, where an underestimation was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the overall survival postnephrectomy for renal cancer for patients aged over 80 years, and to identify preoperative prognostic factors that might influence therapeutic strategies. Methods: In a retrospective study in five French departments of urology, 179 patients aged over 80 years with renal cell carcinoma underwent radical nephrectomy between 1990 and 2011. The following data were collected: age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, American Society of Anesthesiology class, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, type of surgery, period of follow-up, survival, death etiology, symptoms, Fuhrman grade and tumor-nodes-metastasis stage. Results: After a 29.6-month follow up, 89 patients (49.7%) died. Death etiologies were: cancer for 46 (52%) patients, immediate or distant perioperative complications for five patients (6%) and three patients (3%) respectively, cardiovascular disease for 16 patients (18%), other cancers for three patients (3%) and unknown for 16 patients (18%). In a multivariate analysis, T-stage, M-stage and Charlson Comorbidity Index were identified as independent prognostic factors. Patients were divided into three groups (good, intermediate and bad prognosis) with significantly different survivals of 91, 36 and 22 months ( P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: Preoperative data, including T-stage, M-stage and Charlson Comorbidity Index represent significant independent prognostic factors for survival for patients aged over 80 years. These data might help the clinician in selecting the most suitable candidates for radical nephrectomy among elderly patients with renal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle xenoliths from Puy Beaunit (French Massif Central) are compositionally varied, ranging from relatively fertile spinel lherzolites to refractory spinel dunites. Fertile peridotites have registered a modal (amphibole-bearing lherzolites) and cryptic metasomatic event that took place before the last Permian (257 Ma) melting episode. Depletion processes have been constrained by chemical modelling: the depletion is related to different degrees of partial melting, but two major melt extraction episodes are needed to explain the range of major element composition. The second event was responsible for the local large-scale dunitification of former residues. The first melting event (F˜25%) and metasomatic enrichment are attributed to an ancient fluid and/or liquid infiltration that could be related to a pre-Variscan regional subduction (located to the north of the Beaunit area). Texture acquisition and major deformation of the mantle xenoliths were sub-contemporaneous of the subduction and would result from lithospheric delamination. The second melting event (F˜17%) produced high-Mg basalts with calc-alkaline trace element signature that gave rise to the Permian underplating episode recognised in western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides the first comprehensive petrological and multi-scale structural investigation of a suite of ultramafic bodies and enclosing metasediments from the Late Paleozoic accretionary prism of South-Central Chile. The targeted outcrops are located in the La Cabaña area and are characterized by the presence of three main types of ultramafic rocks: (1) partially serpentinized massive peridotites , (2) antigoritic schistose serpentinites , and (3) antigoritic mylonitic serpentinites. Partially serpentinized massive peridotites and schistose serpentinites recorded a common first hydration event with the formation of Fe2+ porous rim in chromites (at ~500 °C), followed by static partial transformation of olivine to lizardite (below ~300 °C) and formation of rims of Fe3+-rich chromite and magnetite around chromites. A second event of serpentinization linked to fluid passage through zones with focused deformation resulted in the partial transformation of partially lizarditized massive peridotites into antigoritic schistose serpentinites (at ~320–400 °C). This second event took place within the shallower portion of the serpentinitic subduction channel, near the base of the accretionary prism and was characterized by the formation of tubular folds made up of lenses of olivine-lizardite massive rocks embedded in a matrix of schistose serpentinites. Antigoritic mylonitic serpentinites encountered in the matrix of schistose serpentinites may locally contain metamorphic olivine (i.e., olivine-bearing mylonitic serpentinites), registering higher temperature conditions at medium pressures (~600 °C, 11 kbar) that prevailed during the initial immature stage of development of the subduction system. Moreover, some mylonitic serpentinites containing Ti-clinohumite, Ti-chondrodite and metamorphic olivine still record higher pressure conditions (>15 kbar, i.e., >50 km depth for ~500 °C), which are related with a deformational event taking place when the subduction system had already cooled. These medium- and high-P mylonitic serpentinites preserved kinematic indicators of burial, whereas their exhumation along the subduction channel towards the shallower schistose serpentinites near the base of the accretionary prism could take place through discrete shear zones possibly aided by large sheath folds. Once incorporated in the accretionary prism (c. 285 Ma ago), the serpentinites shared metamorphism and deformation with the enclosing metasediments. Subvertical shortening related to uplift processes within the accretionary system took place in the stability field of antigorite (>300 °C) and, later, a subhorizontal E-W shortening prevailed in more superficial conditions. • Shallow portions of the subduction channel can be captured in the accretionary prism. • Hanging mantle lenses are dragged and tectonically mixed in the subduction channel. • Medium and high-T serpentinites can exhume to shallow portions of the channel. • Within-channel exhumation occurred in sheared zones or within the sheath folds head. • Localized deformation and fluid pathways characterize shallow subduction channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The suture zone of the Dahomeyide belt, exposed coronitic HP granulitic massifs. • The closure of Pharusian ocean occurred along intra-oceanic arc and active margin from 800 to 600 Ma. • Between 620 and 610 Ma, the forearc system and the tip of the active continental margin were buried synchronously. • The positive Bouguer anomaly East of the suture zone, could correspond to the underplated buried forearc. • The transition from continental subduction to continental collision occurred between 610 and 580 Ma. Abstract The 1000 km-long suture zone of the Dahomeyide belt, exposed from Southeast Ghana to South Mali, corresponds to a narrow and lithologically diverse area with symptomatic coronitic HP granulitic massifs. Based on a review of published petrological, geochemical and geochronological data along the Dahomeyide belt we propose a global scenario for the closure of the Pharusian ocean between the West African craton (WAC) and the Benino-Nigerian shield during the end of the Neoproterozoic. The onset of a long-lived oceanic subduction by 800–780 Ma is recorded by early magmatism in the Amalaoulaou intra-oceanic arc in Mali, contemporary to the Gourma and Adrar des Iforas to the North, and in Brazil to the South. The first occurrence of tonalitic plutons dated at 720 Ma, and the development of a forearc system around 650 Ma mark the onset of active margin subduction beneath the Benino-Nigerain shield and its northward prolongation in Mali. Oceanic subduction beneath the active margin ended between 640 and 630 Ma with the onset of subduction of the WAC continental margin while subduction related magmatism continues till ca. 600 Ma on the upper plate. During a short period between 620 and 610 Ma, the forearc system and the tip of the active continental margin were buried synchronously. The positive Bouguer anomaly observed to the East of the suture zone, in Benin, and not beneath the suture zone itself supports the occurrence of a massive mafic body at the base of the crust that could correspond to the underplated buried forearc. Ultimately, the exhumation and partial amphibolitization of the suture zone and a shift from a calc-alkaline magmatism to anatectic magmatism along with the onset of strike-slip faulting in the upper plate marks the transition from continental subduction to continental collision between 610 and 580 Ma. This work highlights the importance of the Pharusian suture zone s.l. To our knowledge, it represents a unique example in the world in where the forearc system is buried and partly exhumed at the transition from subduction to collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]