A laboratory-scale investigation on freezing-thawing behavior of some natural stone samples manifactured in Turkey

Abstract

In the study, the changes in the mechanical properties of the natural stone samples, which had been obtained from different regions of Turkey, before and after the freeze-thaw test were examined. Within the scope of the study, 17 different natural stone samples were used and, after chemical and mineralogical-petrographical properties were determined. Water absorption at atmospheric pressure, real density, porosity, and uniaxial compressive strength tests were performed before and after freezing-thawing. The freezing and thawing test has been performed using TS EN 12371 standard from -12 °C to +20 °C in 56 cycles (2 cycles = 24 hours). After the test, the samples were subjected to uniaxial compressive strength test in order to identify the changes of the compressive strength values. The results of the physical and mechanical tests on these samples were evaluated by grouping according to chemical and mineralogical-petrographical properties of natural stones. It was aimed to determine which natural stone samples are resistant to freeze-thaw, and can be used in external cladding applications according to the findings obtained from the study.

Keywords

• natural stone
• freezing and thawing
• water absorption
• thermal-mechanical behavior
• uniaxial compressive strength