Indirect Methods to Predict the Abrasion Resistance and Slake Durability of Marbles

Marble has been widely used as building materials since ancient times. Abrasion resistance and slake durability are the important characteristics of marbles. The prediction of these marbles properties will be useful from indirect methods especially for preliminary studies. In this study, the predictability of the Bohme abrasion resistance (BA) and the slake durability (SDI) of marbles were investigated from the indirect methods such as point load index (IS50), Shore hardness index (SHI), impact strength index (ISI), and ultrasonic velocity (Vp). The evaluation of the test results showed that the SDI were correlated well to the Vp, and moderately correlated to the IS50. But, the SDI was correlated weakly to both the ISI and SHI values. On the other hand, all indirect tests values were strongly or very strongly correlated to the BA values. Some multiple regression equations were also derived for the estimation of the SDI and the BA. It can be concluded that the SDI of the tested and similar marbles can be predicted from the Vp, and IS50 values. The correlations between the SDI and both SHI and ISI values should be further investigated. Another conclusion is that dry Vp, ISI, SHI and IS50 values can be used for the prediction of the BA values of the tested and similar marbles.