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Experimental and numerical study of hygro-thermo-mechanical properties of "Schilfsandstein" from Baden-Württemberg

In the present paper the results of experimental and numerical investigations of hygro-thermo-mechanical properties of "Schilfsandstein" from Baden-Wurttemberg are presented and discussed. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of extreme environmental conditions causing severe damage that can often be observed on various monuments during restoration and reconstruction process. In the experimental investigations the stone specimen was exposed to extreme hygro-thermal conditions, which caused significant damage (cracking). During the experiment the ultrasonic and acoustic emission analyses were performed. Subsequently, a 3D finite element analysis was carried out using a coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical model for stone. The experimental and numerical results indicate that wetting in combination with either decrease or increase of temperature lead to severe damage. The most critical locations for initialization of cracks are sharp spikes (notches), or acute angles that are inward or outward oriented (corners). Stiff but brittle layers, like late diagenetic iron cementations, might be a weak point for the initialization of crack. Furthermore, the bedding direction (anisotropy) seems to be a preferred direction for crack propagation. The results of the numerical analysis are in relatively good agreement with experimental observations.

hygro-thermo-mechanical; environmental conditions; numerical analysis

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