Influence of moisture content on the mechanical properties of an ancient high-porosity building sandstone: San Cristóbal's stone (Andalusia, Spain)

Abstract

San Cristóbal’s is a porous sandstone that is present in masonry structures of numerous historical buildings located in the southwest of Spain (15th–18th centuries). In order to guarantee conservation and structural integrity, most of these structures have been assessed during the last two decades after they presented severe damages in locations affected by moisture. In this study, static and dynamic elastic modulus and uniaxial compressive strength of San Cristóbal’s stone are determined in the laboratory under dry and saturated states, as well as with a moisture content of 40%, to establish the influence of moisture on them. An experimental campaign was conducted on 16 samples of ancient stone, extracted from the core of structural walls and columns during a structural intervention. The results show how the moisture content directly affects the deformability of the stone, especially between dry and 40% moisture content states. The values of the elastic modulus, both static and dynamic, are reduced with average values of 16.98% and 22.85% respectively. The loss of uniaxial compressive strength between the dry and saturated states is established with a mean value of 29.82%. Additionally, empirical relationships between the studied mechanical properties have been developed, reaching coefficients of determination over 0.90 in most cases.