Investigation of the Effect Of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Index Properties of Very Low Porosity Carbonate Rocks

Abstract

It is important to know the physical and mechanical properties of natural building stones, which have limited and at the same time decreasing reserves in nature, according to their usage areas. The two most important of these properties are abrasion and strength. Determining the strength parameters in terms of frost resistance is also required in terms of selecting the proper usage area of the stone. This study was carried out to reveal the physical and mechanical behavior of low porosity (< 1%) carbonate rocks under the effect of freezing and thawing (FT) and to examine the variations of physical and mechanical parameters. In this context, 4, 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 35, 56, 70 and 84 FT cycles were carried out on 8 different carbonate rocks taken from different regions of Turkey. After the FT cycles, the data on the physical and mechanical properties of the samples were evaluated. The variation of physical and mechanical values with the number of FT cycles was preŞented graphically by considering the average values of all samples, and statistical evaluations were examined. In addition, the changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the rocks after FT cycles were evaluated in accordance with ASTM standards and some classifications commonly used in the literature.