TESTING AND ASSESSMENT OF SOME EGYPTIAN MARBLE TYPES

Abstract

Marble is one of the most important materials in the field of interior design for houses and buildings. Marble is a natural material with aesthetic values that may vary from one type to another depending on its mineral compositions and its properties. In this research, the necessary tests were done for six types of Egyptian marble To compare the differences between geological, chemical, physicomechanical properties of the same marble type in the different areas and to quantify the different characteristics and uses of selected marble types. The tests were physical, mechanical (according to ASTM standards), chemical, as well as petrography analysis. South Sinai Teriesta marble samples had the highest values of major oxides, as SiO2 1.03%, MgO 0.638%, Al2O3 0.355%, Fe2O3 0.339%, and the lowest value of CaO 54.6%, compared with other studied marble types. Zaafarana marble samples had the lowest values of water absorption with average of 0.356% and the apparent porosity with average of 0.894%, the highest average values of: bulk density 2.729 gm/cm3, abrasion resistance 2.345, and compressive strength 100.29 MPa compared with other studied marble types. Elminya Selvia marble samples had the highest values of water absorption with average of 1.488% and the apparent porosity with average of 3.770%., the lowest average values of: bulk density with 2.468 gm/cm3, abrasion resistance 1.145, and compressive strength 41.37 MPa. Modulus of rupture ranged from 7.2 to 13.8 MPa, for dry and wet conditions and the flexural strength ranged from 6.4 to 12.25 MPa, for dry and wet conditions.

Keywords

• marble
• petrographic characteristics
• physicomechanical properties