Publications by authors named "Fronteau G"

Raw earth bricks made from the soil of the Chalky Champagne region (France) have been used for at least two millennia in construction, a promising heritage in the context of reducing the carbon emissions of buildings. The present experimental study aims to measure the physical, mechanical, thermal, and hydric properties of adobes collected from a local village barn. The results show a high chalk content, estimated at 71%, and a clay content, acting as a binder, of 14%.

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Temperature and humidity variations influence various weathering processes of historical building stones. The aim of this study is to define the possible micro-climates on a monument in order to identify the recurring stress events, allowing to assess the potential stone weathering. For this purpose, a sensor network was set up on the two towers of the Saint-Remi Basilica of Reims: fourteen i-Buttons recorded temperature and relative humidity for 2 years with a time step of 1 h or 2 min for short measurement campaigns.

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Gypsum crusts are typical decay forms on limestone in polluted urban environments. Their origin and relation to the stone facies have been thoroughly investigated in the past three decades. Here, we present the combined use of novel techniques for a microspatial structural, chemical and mechanical characterization of a laminar black gypsum crust on a sandy limestone.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates how the microstructure and existing flaws in Lede and Noyant limestones affect their weathering behavior through acid tests and freeze-thaw cycles.
  • High-resolution X-ray CT, SEM-EDS, and thin section microscopy were used to observe and analyze the non-destructive 3D structural changes during weathering, revealing distinct patterns in each limestone type.
  • The results showed that while both limestones experienced similar weathering causes, their patterns differed significantly due to their unique microstructures, impacting how gypsum crystallizes and affects the stone.
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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers studied weathering processes in natural building stones using techniques like thin-section petrography, SEM, XRD, and XRF, but emphasized the need for non-destructive methods to gather quantitative data on structural changes.
  • The study focused on the Lede stone, a historical calcareous sandstone, and analyzed its response to gaseous SO(2) using high-resolution X-ray tomography before, during, and after exposure to visualize gypsum crust formation and its effects on pore modification in 3D.
  • Results indicated increased porosity beneath the gypsum layer and showed signs of micro-cracks and dissolution on quartz grain boundaries, providing valuable insights into gypsum weathering mechanisms and porosity changes in natural stones.
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