To monitor both the permanent (thermal microcracking) and the nonpermanent (thermo‐elastic) effects of temperature on Westerly Granite, we combine acoustic emission monitoring and ultrasonic velocity measurements at ambient pressure during three heating and cooling cycles to a maximum temperature of 450°C. For the velocity measurements we use both P wave direct traveltime and coda wave interferometry techniques, the latter being more sensitive to changes in S wave velocity. During the first cycle, we observe a high acoustic emission rate and large—and mostly permanent—apparent reductions in velocity with temperature (P wave velocity is reduced by 50% of the initial value at 450°C, and 40% upon cooling). Our measurements are indicative of extensive thermal microcracking during the first cycle, predominantly during the heating phase. During the second cycle we observe further—but reduced—microcracking, and less still during the third cycle, where the apparent decrease in velocity with temperature is near reversible (at 450°C, the P wave velocity is decreased by roughly 10% of the initial velocity). Our results, relevant for thermally dynamic environments such as geothermal reservoirs, highlight the value of performing measurements of rock properties under in situ temperature conditions.

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The use of Mt. Epomeo Green Tuff (MEGT) as a building stone is widespread on Ischia Island (Italy). We assess here the fire resistance of MEGT by thermally stressing samples to temperatures up to 1000°C. Porosity and uniaxial compressive strength increase and decrease from 44% and 4.5 MPa at ambient temperature to 48% and 1.5 MPa following exposure to 1000°C, respectively. Complementary thermogravimetric and X-ray powder diffraction analyses, experiments that monitor acoustic emissions during heating/cooling, and microstructural observations highlight that these changes are the result of thermal microcracks, formed due to the breakdown of zeolites and clays (MEGT contains 35 wt.% analcime, 15 wt.% smectite, and 3 wt.% illite) at high temperature. Although the stability of structures built from MEGT will be jeopardised at high temperature, a very low thermal diffusivity requires that fires must burn for many hours to compromise the strength of a typical dimension stone: tuffs are tough in the event of fire. Résumé Le tuf vert de Mt. Epomeo (MEGT) est très utilisé comme matériau de construction dans l'ile d'Ischia (Italie). Nous avons analysé la résistance au feu du MEGT en soumettant cette roche à des traitements thermiques à des températures allant jusqu'à 1000°C. Si la porosité du MEGT augmente de 44% à température ambiante, à 48% à 1000°C, sa résistance en compression uniaxiale décroit de 4,5 à 1,5 MPa sur le même intervalle de température. Des analyses thermogravimétriques et par diffractométrie de rayons X, l'enregistrement des émissions acoustiques durant le chauffage et le refroidissement, ainsi que des observations de la microstructure montrent que les changements observés sur le MEGT après traitement thermique sont liés au développement de microfissures. Ces microfissures se forment à cause de la rupture des zéolites et des argiles à haute température. Le MEGT contient 35% d'analcime, 15% de smectite et 3% d'illite. Bien que la stabilité de structures construites avec le MEGT puisse être compromise à haute température, la très faible diffusivité thermique de cette roche nécessite un incendie très long (plusieurs heures) pour vraiment réduire la résistance des blocs de roche typiquement utilisés dans les édifices de l'ile d'Ischia. Le tuf peut de ce fait être considéré comme une roche résistante en cas d'incendie.

More sustainable and environmentally friendly concretes are essential to reduce the climatic and environmental impact of the growing demand for concrete to fuel urban sprawl. This manuscript reports on an experimental study designed to test the fire resistance of one such concrete, prepared to contain natural zeolite-bearing tuff. The fire resistance of concretes containing natural zeolites has received little attention and is therefore poorly understood.Relative reductions in residual uniaxial compressive strength as a function of increasing temperature (up to 1000 °C) were very similar for the reference concrete (containing no tuff) and the tuff-bearing concrete. These data can be explained by the similar influence of hightemperature on the chemical (dehydroxylation reactions) and physical (microcracking and porosity) properties of both concretes. The satisfactory performance of the concrete containing natural zeolites following fire is welcome owing to the economic, climatic, and environmental benefits of using natural pozzolan and aggregate substitutes.