Dilatometric variations of calcareous rock cylinders subjected to freeze-thaw cycles

The variations in diameter and length of calcareous rocks cylinders were measured during freeze-thaw cycles. These measurements have shown the existence of intricate and non-isotropic variations in the dimensions of the rocks. These result mainly from the migration of non-frozen water within the samples; these migrations towards the largest pores or towards the faces of the sample first exposed to the freezing front are responsible for contractions in areas where expansions were expected. The experiments stress the importance of water content and porosity of the rocks, of the cooling rate and of small variations of experimental conditions. -from English summar