Experiment in real conditions: mechanical properties of gypsum block determined using non-destructive and destructive methods

The paper presents long-term experiment. One side of the gypsum block was exposed to the weather conditions and the other side was inside the building. After four years exposure to weather (sunshine, rain, snow, temperature changes), the gypsum block was sawed to standard samples 40×40×160 mm. At first, these samples were tested using non-destructive method -- impulse excitation method- to obtain Dynamic Young's Modulus of gypsum. Then the samples were tested using destructive methods -- three point bending test and standard compression test - to obtain static mechanical properties (tensile and compression strength, Young's Modulus of gypsum) of each sample. Based on the results, distribution of mechanical properties of the gypsum block and dependence of mechanical properties on position into the gypsum block were evaluated.