Role of ice formation mechanisms occurring inside stylolite on limestone tilestone frost susceptibility

Abstract

Freeze temperature and ice quantity formed inside porous media has been investigated on limestone tilestone samples by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The aim was to determine the role of these stone frost features on limestone damage to Freeze-Thaw (FT) cycles, in relation to the presence of stylolite inside their structure. In fact, the presence of stylolite inside the structure leads to increase locally the pore rate and size, with connected pores. This implies a local increase of ice quantity formed at the surround of stylolite. Damage is thus associated to a heterogeneous nucleation, a rapid growth and ice-front propagation inside pores induced by the presence of stylolite. Specimens exhibiting an increase of quantity of ice formed inside their stylolite – of more than 30% compared to host rock – were damaged by freeze/thaw cycles. Furthermore, stones with freezing temperature lower than the minimum of FT cycles temperature are frost resistant. Finally, low-temperature calorimetry appears to be a practical and cheap method for quickly assessing frost limestone susceptibility. For example, this method can benefit some modest heritage constructions in UNESCO World Heritage site ‘Causse & Cevennes’, made by craftsmen who need to quickly know the frost resistance of the stones they use.

Keywords:

• Freeze-thaw
• limestone roof tiles
• low temperature calorimetry
• ice formation mechanisms
• stylolite

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge the quarries (Montdardier, SAS Lauzas, ALLA) for providing the samples that enabled us to conduct this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research is a part of the project LAUBAMAC financed by ‘Commissariat Général à l’Egalité des Territoires’ of the Massif Central in France.