Mechanical Characterization and Creep Behavior of a Stone Heritage Material Used in Granada (Spain): Santa Pudia Calcarenite

Abstract Santa Pudia calcarenite was one of the most commonly used building materials in construction historical buildings city Granada (Spain). As a result, has been mainly studied from petrographical point view previous works. In this work, mechanical properties are studied. The main (compressive strength, elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio) were determined using corresponding tests. Samples heated at 550 °C to study effect high temperatures on its compressive strength. Two different cooling methods considered: air-cooling water-cooling. Stress–strain curves non-heated samples obtained uniaxial compression Creep is great importance long-term structural assessment buildings. To creep behaviour calcarenite, subjected tests constant stress until stabilization recorded strains reached. Different rheological models adjusted experimental results simulate material instantaneous response additional loadings (maintaining loading deformation) also Results show that specimen dead loads will suffer higher deformation against sudden load than non-preloaded specimen. This degradation can be particularly important case seismic evaluation