Evaluation of the long-term durability of yellow travertine using accelerated weathering tests

Abstract

The study investigated the long-term performance/durability of yellow travertine against various environmental processes using several accelerated weathering tests: wet–dry, freeze–thaw and salt crystallization. Prior to the accelerated weathering tests, the specimens were separated into two groups based on their porosities. The re-crystallization pressure of Na2SO4 salt was found to be the most destructive factor in the deterioration of the yellow travertine, with a maximum of 50% loss of integrity recorded. The recurrent cycles of wetting–drying and freezing–thawing caused relatively minor damage. After the experimental studies, the disintegration rate was statistically evaluated using the alteration index–alteration velocity and the decay function approaches. Both statistical models confirmed that the rate of disintegration was higher with salt re-crystallization pressures in the less porous yellow travertines compared with that resulting from wet–dry and freeze–thaw cycles.