Influence of physical and mechanical properties on the durability of limestone subjected to freeze-thaw cycles

The frost sensitivity of five French limestones (Massangis (MA), Lens (LS), Savonnières (SA), Saint-Maximin (MX) and Migné (MI)), with different physical and mechanical properties, was studied. The total porosity ranges from 10% to 35% and the uniaxial compressive strength ranges between 10 MPa and 60 MPa. The freeze-thaw tests were applied on the samples saturated in natural condition. During freeze-thaw cycles we recorded the evolution of temperature and volumetric strain of a specimen for each stone and after the freeze-thaw cycles, the weathering evolution in stone samples was monitored by measurement of different physical and mechanical parameters (porosity, P-wave velocity, fracture toughness, compressive strength and elastic static modulus). Two behaviors were observed: a volumetric expansion during freezing phase accompanied by a very important damage from the first cycle until the failure of specimen for MI and MX stones, and a volumetric contraction accompanied with a light damage for the high number of freeze-thaw cycle in the cases of MA, LS and SA. Following the freeze-thaw tests, the durability of stones was evaluated using a decay function model. The decay constant values determined from the evolution of P-wave velocity were correlated with different fresh stone properties. Contrary to generally accepted ideas, the correlation coefficients between the decay constant and total porosity or degree of saturation are very low. Porosity in natural condition seems to have the strongest influence on the decay constant. However, its negative impact can be offset by a bigger part of trapped porosity. The results indicate that it is possible to predict the frost damage of the stones, with a better level of confidence, from the ratio of the volume fraction of water to that of air rather than from only the total porosity or degree of saturation.