Reference Type:  Journal Article
Record Number: 1
Author: Sarkar, N. E. K.  and Faris, A
Year: 2019
Title: FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF WEATHERED GRANITES UNDER WETTING – DRYING CYCLES: IMPLICATIONS TO STEEL STRUCTURES
Journal: Advanced Steel Construction 
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Pages: 225–231
Date: Sep
Type of Article: Article
Short Title: FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF WEATHERED GRANITES UNDER WETTING – DRYING CYCLES: IMPLICATIONS TO STEEL STRUCTURES
Alternate Journal: Adv. Steel Constr.
ISSN: 1816-112X
DOI: 10.18057/IJASC.2019.15.3.2
Keywords: Ultrasonic pulse velocity
Wetting – drying cycles
Granite
Flexural strength
Weight loss
Abstract: Deterioration of stone veneer cladding panels due to environmental weathering can lead to expensive restoration work,
serious risks from falling debris and compromises the performance of high-rise steel and concrete structures. The influence
of wetting – drying cycles (WDC) on the flexural tensile strength of thin granite cladding panels is investigated. Forty -five
specimens of Imperial Black, Calca and Grandee type Australian granite panels were used in the experimental program.
Total 15 specimens served as control reference, while 30 specimens were subjected to 100 WDC in two separate stages.
The wetting cycles were conducted in contact with tapwater and acidified solution of pH ≈ 4.5, while the drying cycles
were conducted using a controlled drying chamber at 40 oC. Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and flexural tensile strength
of the control, and weathered specimens were measured after the 50th and 100th weathering cycle of WDC. It was noticed
that the thin granite cladding panels experienced limited flexural strength reduction accompanied by changes in UPV and
weight loss. A correlation between flexural strength and UPV of the unweathered and weathered WDC specimens is
proposed which can be useful in on-site assessment of granite cladding panels during the service life of the primary steel
structure.
Notes: Times Cited: 0
Cited Reference Count: 26
Author Address: Sarkar Noor-E-Khuda 1, * and Faris Albermani 2
1 School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Perth, Australia
2 School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Mackay,, Australia
* (Corresponding author: E-mail: s.noorekhuda@cqu.edu.au)
Language: English