Correlation between various mechanical properties of porous limestones from Hungary

Abstract

This study focuses on the mechanical parameters of Miocene limestones from Hungary. Four different lithotypes of porous limestone from two localities were analysed in laboratory conditions. These lithologies have been widely used for centuries as construction material in Central Europe. One type of the Badenian Leithakalk limestone, which is a bioclastic grainstone containing molluscs, foraminifera and Lithothamnium and three types of Sarmatian porous limestone; a fine-grained, medium-grained and a coarse-grained bioclastic lithotype were compared in laboratory conditions. Bulk density, water absorption, apparent porosity, uniaxial compressive and tensile strength tests were performed to obtain data set for correlation analysis. With water saturation under atmospheric pressure, the uniaxial compressive strength and tensile strength of all studied lithotypes were reduced significantly. A good correlation between dry bulk density and apparent porosity was found for two lithotypes; meanwhile, for the two other lithotypes a less significant relationship was found. Bulk density correlates with uniaxial compressive strength and with tensile strength for all lithologies. However, a significant difference was found in the coefficients of determination of the different lithotypes. The coefficients in air-dry conditions were over 70%, but they became smaller after water saturation. According to these results, microstructure, porosity, and water saturation influence porous limestones’ damage mechanism.