Multiphysical Characteristics of Limestones for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Buildings Components

Tristan Pestre (1) , Emmanuel Antczak (2) , Franck Brachelet (2) , Didier Pallix (1)

1 CTMNC - Centre Technique de Matériaux Naturels de Construction
2 LGCgE - Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement (LGCgE) - ULR 4515

Natural stone is a traditional building material, used worldwide for millennia. Its mechanical properties are rather well known, but only a small quantity of data is available regarding its hygrothermal characteristics. However, these characteristics are essential for the design of energy efficient buildings. Stones are in fact associated with insulation materials, which strongly modify the hygrothermal behavior of building walls, thereby impacting their durability and thermal comfort. This study focuses on the hygrothermal characterization of a dozen samples of limestone, offering an adequate representation of their use across France. Thermal conductivity and heat capacity, sorption and desorption isotherms, water vapor permeability, and moisture buffer value (MBV) were all notably determined and analyzed. These data can then be used to model heat and mass transfers in building walls. Limestone features extensive physical properties that can vary from one place to another within the same quarry. A statistical classification, according to mechanical properties of thousands of French limestones has also been carried out. This classification allows estimating the hygrothermal properties previously determined for other stones.

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]; Science des matériaux [cond-mat.mtrl-sci]; Construction durable

Tristan Pestre, Emmanuel Antczak, Franck Brachelet, Didier Pallix. Multiphysical Characteristics of Limestones for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Buildings Components. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2022, 34 (4), ⟨10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0004158⟩. ⟨hal-03627225v2⟩