Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors
Natural carbonate stones such as limestones and marbles are widely used in heritage and contemporary architecture, yet their durability is increasingly threatened by wildfire-related thermal stress. Since water transport plays a key role in stone deterioration, understanding how high temperatures af...
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8567 |
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| author | Roberta Lobarinhas Amélia Dionísio Gustavo Paneiro |
| author_facet | Roberta Lobarinhas Amélia Dionísio Gustavo Paneiro |
| author_sort | Roberta Lobarinhas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Natural carbonate stones such as limestones and marbles are widely used in heritage and contemporary architecture, yet their durability is increasingly threatened by wildfire-related thermal stress. Since water transport plays a key role in stone deterioration, understanding how high temperatures affect hydric behavior is critical for conservation. This study investigates thirteen Portuguese carbonate lithotypes (including marbles, limestones, a travertine, and a breccia) exposed to temperatures of 300 °C and 600 °C. Capillary absorption and open porosity were measured, alongside Leeb hardness (HL) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), to evaluate their predictive capacity for post-fire moisture behavior. Results show that thermal exposure increases porosity and capillary uptake while reducing mechanical cohesion. Strong correlations between UPV and hydric parameters across temperature ranges highlight its reliability as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. HL performed well in compact stones but was less consistent in porous or heterogeneous lithologies. The findings support the use of NDT tests, like UPV and HL, for rapid post-fire assessments and emphasize the need for lithology-specific conservation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb94597d1bbf43228674e8d8453595cf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb94597d1bbf43228674e8d8453595cf2025-08-20T03:02:55ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-08-011515856710.3390/app15158567Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient PredictorsRoberta Lobarinhas0Amélia Dionísio1Gustavo Paneiro2CERENA, Técnico Lisboa, ULisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDER/CERENA, Técnico Lisboa, ULisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalDER/CERENA, Técnico Lisboa, ULisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, PortugalNatural carbonate stones such as limestones and marbles are widely used in heritage and contemporary architecture, yet their durability is increasingly threatened by wildfire-related thermal stress. Since water transport plays a key role in stone deterioration, understanding how high temperatures affect hydric behavior is critical for conservation. This study investigates thirteen Portuguese carbonate lithotypes (including marbles, limestones, a travertine, and a breccia) exposed to temperatures of 300 °C and 600 °C. Capillary absorption and open porosity were measured, alongside Leeb hardness (HL) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), to evaluate their predictive capacity for post-fire moisture behavior. Results show that thermal exposure increases porosity and capillary uptake while reducing mechanical cohesion. Strong correlations between UPV and hydric parameters across temperature ranges highlight its reliability as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. HL performed well in compact stones but was less consistent in porous or heterogeneous lithologies. The findings support the use of NDT tests, like UPV and HL, for rapid post-fire assessments and emphasize the need for lithology-specific conservation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8567natural stonefire-induced damagehydric behaviornon-destructive testingcarbonate lithotypesLeeb hardness |
| spellingShingle | Roberta Lobarinhas Amélia Dionísio Gustavo Paneiro Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors Applied Sciences natural stone fire-induced damage hydric behavior non-destructive testing carbonate lithotypes Leeb hardness |
| title | Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors |
| title_full | Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors |
| title_short | Unveiling the Fire Effects on Hydric Dynamics of Carbonate Stones: Leeb Hardness and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity as Capillary Coefficient Predictors |
| title_sort | unveiling the fire effects on hydric dynamics of carbonate stones leeb hardness and ultrasonic pulse velocity as capillary coefficient predictors |
| topic | natural stone fire-induced damage hydric behavior non-destructive testing carbonate lithotypes Leeb hardness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8567 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertalobarinhas unveilingthefireeffectsonhydricdynamicsofcarbonatestonesleebhardnessandultrasonicpulsevelocityascapillarycoefficientpredictors AT ameliadionisio unveilingthefireeffectsonhydricdynamicsofcarbonatestonesleebhardnessandultrasonicpulsevelocityascapillarycoefficientpredictors AT gustavopaneiro unveilingthefireeffectsonhydricdynamicsofcarbonatestonesleebhardnessandultrasonicpulsevelocityascapillarycoefficientpredictors |