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Petrophysical properties and durability of granites employed as building stone: a comprehensive evaluation

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Abstract

The use of a rock as a building stone is conditioned by several factors, from its aesthetic characteristics to its petrophysical properties. Even though the latter are taken into consideration, only a few of them are usually assessed. The purpose of this study is to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the petrophysical properties of nine Portuguese granites employed as dimension stones. Granites with different textural characteristics and degrees of weathering were selected in order to highlight the relationships between the properties, and to identify the most important ones affecting the rock behaviour. The post-tectonic granites, with low porosity and fewer fissures, show better mechanical behaviour, while the most weathered granites have poor mechanical behaviour that limits their use in some applications and/or environmental conditions.

Résumé

L'utilisation d'une roche comme matériau de construction est conditionnée par plusieurs facteurs, soit les caractéristiques esthétiques ou les propriétés pétrophysiques. Même si ceux-ci sont pris en considération, seuls quelques-unes d'entre elles sont généralement évaluées. L’objectif de cette étude est de réaliser une évaluation complète des propriétés pétrophysiques de neuf granites portugais employés comme pierres de taille. Granites avec différentes textures et degrés d'altération ont été sélectionnés afin de mettre en évidence les relations entre les propriétés, et d'identifier les plus importantes qui conditionnent le comportement de la roche. Les granites post-tectoniques, avec une basse porosité et moins de fissures, présentent un meilleur comportement mécanique, tandis que les granites altérés ont plus mauvais comportement mécanique qui limitent leur utilisation en certaines applications et/ou des conditions environnementales.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Centro de Geociências da Universidade de Coimbra, with funds from the FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. The author is grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Apartado 1013, 5001-801, Vila Real, Portugal

    Luís M. O. Sousa

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  1. Luís M. O. Sousa
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Correspondence to Luís M. O. Sousa.

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Sousa, L.M.O. Petrophysical properties and durability of granites employed as building stone: a comprehensive evaluation. Bull Eng Geol Environ 73, 569–588 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0553-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0553-9

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