Effects of temperature on mechanical properties of some carbonate rocks from Turkey

Fire and high temperatures cause deterioration of rocks. There are many studies focused on the effect of high temperature on mechanical properties of sandstone and granites but there are a few insufficient studies on carbonate rocks. The aim of this study is to investigate the changing of mechanical properties including compressive and tensile strength of some carbonate rocks exposed to different temperatures ranging from room temperature up to 1000 °C (1273 K) in the oven. For this purpose, samples were exposed to the heat separately starting from 200 °C (473 K), gradually 400 (673 K), 600 (873 K), 800 (1073 K) and 1000 °C (1273 K) and then some mechanical properties of them and reference sample at room temperature were determined. The results obtained from the tests were analyzed in detail in terms of criticality of temperature degree, positive or negative effect on mechanical properties of temperature rise of rocks exposed to heat. As a result of this study, it is found out that temperature changes for rocks are affecting the compressive and tensile strength values. Compressive and tensile strength of the carbonate rocks from Turkey decrease with increasing temperature.