Influence of mineralogy on granite decay induced by temperature increase: Experimental observations and stress simulation

Rocks can be subjected to high temperatures in several instances as for example in geothermal processes or if affected by fires. Temperature variations lead to a complex stress distribution in crystalline rocks due to mineral thermal expansion. In polymineralic such as granites, these stresses depend on fabric parameters such as mineral proportion, grain size and their related thermal properties. Eight granitic rocks were heated to less than 400...