2D-Image analysis: A complementary tool for characterizing quarry and weathered building limestones.

Olivier Rozenbaum (1) , Emmanuel Le Trong (1) , Jean-Louis Rouet (1) , Ary Bruand (1)

1 ISTO - Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans

Understanding of weathered processes and more generally of transfer properties of building stone requires a detailed knowledge of the porosity characteristics. This study aims at analyzing 2D-images of stones by using mathematical tools that enable the description of the pore and solid phase distribution. We selected two limestones that were widely used for different types of buildings: a quarried and weathered tuffeau, the latter being used in most Châteaux of the Loire and a quarried sebastopol stone used in numerous buildings in Paris. Backscattered electron scanning images obtained on thin section of the stones were studied by using autocorrelation function analysis and chord distributions. Our results showed that these mathematical tools are able to discuss quantitatively and statistically differences of pore and solid distribution between quarried limestones, and to discuss the weathering degree of stones collected on buildings. Thus, very small differences of pore and solid phase distribution between the samples studied were revealed by chord distribution analysis and autocorrelation function analysis. The resulting characteristics obtained with such an analysis are promising information for a better understanding of the weathering mechanisms.

Mots clés: Image analysis; limestones; building; quarry; weathering; porosity; chord length distribution; autocorrelation function

Domaines: Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]; Géophysique [physics.geo-ph]

Olivier Rozenbaum, Emmanuel Le Trong, Jean-Louis Rouet, Ary Bruand. 2D-Image analysis: A complementary tool for characterizing quarry and weathered building limestones.. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2007, 2007 (8), pp.151-159. ⟨10.1016/j.culher.2007.01.004⟩. ⟨hal-00084530⟩