Key findings of non-destructive tests (Stochino et al., 2017b)
| Method | Purpose | Key findings |
|---|---|---|
| X-ray diffraction (XRD) | Identify mineralogical changes |
|
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| DTA and thermogravimetry (TG) | Track thermal decomposition and estimate temperature |
|
| — |
| |
| Optical microscopy (OM) | Assess microstructural damage and colour change |
|
| — |
| |
| Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) | High-resolution imaging of microstructure |
|
| — |
|
| Method | Purpose | Key findings |
|---|---|---|
| X-ray diffraction ( | Identify mineralogical changes | Undamaged: Calcite, dolomite, portlandite, ettringite present |
| — | Fire-damaged: Absence of portlandite (>500°C), formation of perovskite, spurrite | |
| — | Decarbonation of calcite/dolomite (∼700°C–900°C) | |
| Track thermal decomposition and estimate temperature | Undamaged: Peaks at ∼120°C (water), ∼500°C (portlandite), ∼750°C–950°C (carbonate decomposition) | |
| — | Damaged: Loss of portlandite peak, high-temp decarbonation (∼880°C), shifted dehydroxylation onset | |
| Optical microscopy ( | Assess microstructural damage and colour change | Undamaged: Compact, intact transition zone |
| — | Damaged: Microcracks (20–40 µm), reddening at 300°C–350°C, whitening at 600°C–900°C, surface pulverisation (>700°C) | |
| Scanning electron microscopy ( | High-resolution imaging of microstructure | Undamaged: Dense CSH, visible ettringite, no interfacial cracks |
| — | Damaged: Globular phases (melting), microcracks, aggregate-paste detachment, |
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