Marble Blocks Research Articles

Materializing Migration: Weaving the Mashrabiya in Nevin Aladağ’s Screens I–III (2016)

Textiles and communication have a longstanding relationship, with many cultures using textiles as a vehicle for transmitting information.1 In this article, I present my analysis of Nevin Aladağ’s woven public sculpture, Screens I–III. This research forms part of my PhD project, “Materialising Migration: Transcultural Textiles in Germany.” My research seeks to examine how artists use textile processes to develop understanding of cultural transfer between the Middle East and Germany. Screens I–III consists of three freestanding stainless steel screens with repeat patterns created using granite and marble blocks (cobblestones). The piece was commissioned in 2016 by the public sculpture initiative KÖR (Kunst im öffentlichen Raum Wien) and was displayed in the pedestrian zone of Graben, Austria. Aladağ’s artistic practice is concerned with the notion of literal and metaphorical boundaries in this article. I examine Aladağ’s use of weaving to construct Screens I–III and the cultural differences between her Turkish and German identities. I argue that she subverts weaving to renegotiate polarizing views of different cultures, while challenging traditional perceptions of textiles.

A Robotic System for Warped Stitching Based Compressive Strength Prediction of Marbles

The amount, distribution, and morphology of the impurities in a marble block determine both its aesthetic quality and compressive strength (CS). Although the former property has been studied extensively, CS prediction is rarely investigated. The existing approaches either use expensive and tedious laboratory tests or employ image processing to individual surface images, which are shown to achieve limited performance. In this paper, a new electromechanical system is designed for full automatic prediction of CS of a marble block on a conveyor belt using all visible surface images, which are acquired by a three-dimensional (3-D) printed robotic arm. The images are used to generate unique reconstructions, which can represent the 3-D structure of the marbles in two-dimensional (2-D) via developed warped stitching based visualizations. Moreover, a novel feature set is proposed for taking advantage of these reconstructions. A total of 157 cubic marble blocks are collected to test the performance of the system using both conventional (neural networks) and emerging (deep) machine learning tools. Adverse effects of small sample size are compensated with data augmentation and transfer learning. It is shown that the system achieves the state-of-the-art prediction results.

Marble epistyles under shear: An experimental study of the role of “Relieving Space”

The mechanical response of mutually interconnected epistyles is studied experimentally. The specimens are made of two marble blocks connected to each other with an “I”-shaped titanium connector placed in grooves sculptured on the blocks and covered with cementitious material. The specific way of connecting epistyles simulates the one used by scientists restoring the ancient “connections” of the epistyles of the Parthenon Temple. This “connection”, although designed to sustain mainly tensile loading, undertakes, also, shear load, in case of excitations imposing to the epistyles displacements normal to the connector’s axis. Attention is focused to enlighten the role of a novel design technique aiming to relieve the stress field around the connector. According to this technique, part of the connector’s web is left uncovered, forming the so-called “Relieving Space”, assisting the unconstrained deformation of the connector. Both traditional and innovative sensing techniques were employed in an effort to obtain data from the interior of the three-material-complex (marble-cementitious material-titanium). Analysis of the data indicated that the “Relieving Space” reduces the overall stiffness of the system, protecting marble in case of over-loading. Moreover, it was concluded that the innovative techniques employed provide pre-failure indicators well in advance of the catastrophic failure of the specimens.

Unpaired ophiolite belts in the Neoproterozoic Allaqi-Heiani Suture, the Arabian-Nubian Shield: Evidences from magnetic data

Under oblique convergence, the intraoceanic subduction zones tend to have a tectonically-escaped accretionary prism, incorporates exotic materials from different sources and oceanic crust fragments. The western part of the Allaqi-Heiani suture (AHS) is the type locality for a significant accretionary prism extends for ⁓ 200 km; this prism is mainly metavolcanic, and metasedimentary rocks have interwoven serpentinite, marble blocks and intruded with different phases of plutonism. Geologic studies of the western part of the AHS have suggested the allochthonous origin for this complex, and terrane accretion happened earlier than ⁓ 700 Ma and subsequently thrusted over Gabgaba terrane to the south. Magnetic data was applied to follow the deep-seated structures and the connectivity between ophiolite belts in the AHS.Magnetic data unravelled the presence of a deep-seated strike-slip faults aligned along N–S and NNE trends underneath the northern belt, and this fault zone was erased at the surface by a major zone of the post-accretionary left-lateral strike-slip faults. In the southern part, E-W and WNW-ESE faults are dominant at the edge of the autochthon Gabgaba terrane. At greater depths, thrusts related to the emplacement of the northern belt disappeared, while those to the south aligned with the suture zone becomes significant. In conclusion, there are two ophiolite belts are located in the western part of the AHS; the southern belt is extended along the edge of the Gabgaba terrane to the south and the Eastern Desert (ED) to the north. This south belt is the western extension of a major arc-arc suture zone that extends to the east into the Arabian shield. The northern ophiolite belt was emplaced onto the southern part of the ED ⁓ 70 km away from the arc-arc to the south.

Experimental investigation of crack formation in rock mass under impact fracture by a hard indenter

The technique for determining geometric parameters of cracks formed in rock mass under penetration of a hard tool is presented. The results of rock fracture as impact craters and main cracks formed in a marble block after penetration of a wedge-shaped steel tool are discussed. The photographs of the craters and polished sections of drill cores are given.

Experimental investigations on the rut resistant surface layer with Inclusion of Marble Dust and Sisal Fibers

Abstract Fibres are broadly used to redesign the execution of the bituminous blends. Marble dust is delivered as a waste by the forming of marble blocks. Marble dust is utilised as the replacement of filler, which is used in the midpoint gradation. In this paper, an investigation has been made to analyze the utilization of sisal fibres and marble dust to enhance the performance of asphalt concrete mix. The effects of inclusion of sisal fibre at a length of (5 mm) at five different percentages (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% by the weight of aggregates) and addition of marble dust as a filler at respected weights at different percentages. Optimum Bitumen Content (OBC) is based on Marshall Mix design with midpoint gradation. By Marshall Stability, we have calculated VMA, VFB, flow and air voids in the bituminous blends were researched and following tests were performed; indirect tensile strength (IDT), rutting characteristics of hot mix asphalt and Modified bituminous mix are identified and examined at OBC by using immersion type of wheel tracking device. The fibre length of 5 mm at a percentage of (0.3%) by weight of aggregate with an optimum bitumen content of 5.5% by weight of blend apparently provided better execution. Based on laboratory research, it is concluded that the sisal fibre Modified bituminous blend is a superior blend then the traditional hot mix asphalt as far as Marshall Properties, Indirect tensile strength, and rutting characteristics.

PARİON TİYATROSUN’DA BULUNAN GLADİATÖR GRAFFİTOLARI

Parion is one of the most important cities in Ancient Troad and it is in the territory of modern village of Kemer of Canakkale- Biga. The excavation began in 2005 at the necropolis. The surveys and excavations conducted during this time yielded important information about the settlement process of the ancient town. The findings from some public buildings and from the southern necropolis indicate that Parion was settled from the 7th century BC up to the 13th century AD. Parion’s theater was built on the west side of the bell tower, which we thought was the center of the city, very close to the Roman Baths, not far from the Agora and Odeion. Excavations at the theater of Parion were started in 2006 on the late period wall on the orchestra, followed by the stage podium, proscenium, cavea and the part of the orchestra. This article introduces gladiator graffiti in the theater. 5 gladiators carved on two large marble blocks and a face given from the left profile are the most important ones of these graffitis. These graffitis are of great importance in the Roman period, at the theater of Parion, showing that Gladiator fights were conducted at that time.

Experimental and Theoretical Study of a New Technique for Mixing Self-Compacting Concrete with Marble Sludge Grout

Currently, marble waste is valued by incorporating powders, obtained by drying and grinding sludge resulting from marble blocks cutting operation, or the aggregates, obtained by crushing the solid waste, on self-compacting concrete. These two procedures require a lot of energy. This experimental and theoretical work focuses on the direct incorporation of marble sludge in self-compacting concrete. The first part needs the study of the rheological behavior of the marble sludge grout (MSG) as a function of the added water amount. For this, different grouts were prepared and tested by varying the water/sludge ratio. In the second part, four self-compacting concretes (SCCs) were mixed with MSG having different water/sludge ratios in order to validate a new technique of gassing self-compacting concrete with MSG. The test results show that the marble grains of grout is totally dispersed when the water/sludge ratio was equal to 1.2. The results also show that the gassing with MSG allows us to obtain SCC having both self-compacting property and self-leveling property compared to SCC made by adding marble filler to the cementitious matrix.

The Feasibility of Using Marble Cutting Waste in a Sustainable Building Clay Industry

This study evaluates the feasibility of stabilizing clay bricks with marble cutting waste (MCW). This waste is currently discarded in huge quantities as sludge resulting from the sawing of marble blocks to slabs and the processes of disposing of grinding and polishing marble in landfills located around the marble processing factories in the Shaq El-Thoban industrial zone, Cairo governorate, Egypt, which causes negative impacts on the environment, health, and sustainable development. Experimental investigations were carried out to explore the effect of the addition of MCW in different clay–base mixes using varying percentages of up to 20% at the expense of the hydrated lime. Cement, hydrated lime, and MCW are the three types of solidification agents used, and clay and sand were also added in the formulations of the unfired clay brick specimens. Laboratory cylindrical stabilized and compressed specimens were made; then, they were cured in a humidity chamber for two weeks and four weeks. Afterwards, they were air dried, tested, and evaluated according to the Egyptian code for the building by the stabilized and compressed earth soil (ECBS, 2016). To enhance the durability of the cured specimens, transparent silicon-based paint was used. The results demonstrated that the optimum content of marble sludge waste (MCW) was 15% when used as replacement for hydrated lime in the production of stabilized clay brick. For all of the samples, the use of silicon-based paint was found to improve the strength and water resistance of the stabilized clay bricks. The use of local waste materials as a substitute for a hydrated lime binder reduces both the cost and environmental impact associated with block production.

An Early Byzantine Living Cross Relief from Caunus

Caunus is known as a city in Caria which is located coast of Dalyan (Calbis) bay near Koycegiz in Mugla. According to ancient sources and several ecclesiastical documents Caunus was christianized at an early date and when the Roman Empire officially adopted the Christian faith, its name changed into Hagia-Caunus. Today, there are five churches in different places of the city which come to light thanks to the excavations. It is argued that a domed church on Palaestra Terrace which has been constructed between the first half of VIth century and the mid. VIIth centuries. Undoubtedly findings of around the church shed light on the Byzantine period of the city. There are a lot of remarkable architec-tural sculptures at the around and inside of domed church on Palaestra Terrace. One of these examples is found at the 1998 excavation season. The front face of the marble block is carved relief technique which is a cross motive with stylized leaves and the alpha (Α) and omega (ω) that de-pends from arms of the cross. As it is known in Byzantine Art, cross is used to symbolize the Christ’s sufferings, his sacrifice and the hope of salvation. Besides the alpha (Α) and omega (ω) means beginning and end in Christian belief refer to the eternal nature of God. Cross varieties are commonly used in Byzantine depiction art. It seems that the carved marble block must have been used as an architectural stone in the church. Thus in this paper I have tried to examine meaning of the composition and to give careful consideration to a series of questions linked to the context of use of the cross carved block in the church as well as discuss its significance within regional (Caunus ve Caria) and broader cultural contexts of Early Byzantine art.

Evaluation of strength and durability of lean concrete mixes containing marble waste as fine aggregate

The extraction of marble and its processing as marble blocks is most common in several states of India. But the extensive growth of this industry has put adverse impact on the environment because of the production of huge amount of marble waste during extraction and processing. This experimental study highlights the impact of use of marble waste on the properties of lean concrete mix designed for the production of bricks. The basic objective of this experimental programme is to replace river sand in concrete by an optimum combination of quarry dust and marble waste in order to extract best performance in terms of strength and durability parameters. By varying the percentage replacement of fine aggregate with marble waste (0–100%), six concrete mix proportions were prepared for experimental purpose. The result shows that all these properties improved for complete substitution of fine aggregate with marble waste. It was found that compressive strength and flexural strength increased by 84% and 18.6%, respectively. The mixes were less reactive to the aggressive agents also. These advantages were derived due to the ability of marble fines impart necessary cohesiveness even at lesser water content which resulted in an impermeable microstructure.

Ambient occlusion – A powerful algorithm to segment shell and skeletal intrapores in computed tomography data

During the last decades, X-ray (micro-)computed tomography has gained increasing attention for the description of porous skeletal and shell structures of various organism groups. However, their quantitative analysis is often hampered by the difficulty to discriminate cavities and pores within the object from the surrounding region.Herein, we test the ambient occlusion (AO) algorithm and newly implemented optimisations for the segmentation of cavities (implemented in the software Amira). The segmentation accuracy is evaluated as a function of (i) changes in the ray length input variable, and (ii) the usage of AO (scalar) field and other AO-derived (scalar) fields. The results clearly indicate that the AO field itself outperforms all other AO-derived fields in terms of segmentation accuracy and robustness against variations in the ray length input variable. The newly implemented optimisations improved the AO field-based segmentation only slightly, while the segmentations based on the AO-derived fields improved considerably.Additionally, we evaluated the potential of the AO field and AO-derived fields for the separation and classification of cavities as well as skeletal structures by comparing them with commonly used distance-map-based segmentations. For this, we tested the zooid separation within a bryozoan colony, the stereom classification of an ophiuroid tooth, the separation of bioerosion traces within a marble block and the calice (central cavity)-pore separation within a dendrophyllid coral. The obtained results clearly indicate that the ideal input field depends on the three-dimensional morphology of the object of interest. The segmentations based on the AO-derived fields often provided cavity separations and skeleton classifications that were superior to or impossible to obtain with commonly used distance-map-based segmentations. The combined usage of various AO-derived fields by supervised or unsupervised segmentation algorithms might provide a promising target for future research to further improve the results for this kind of high-end data segmentation and classification. Furthermore, the application of the developed segmentation algorithm is not restricted to X-ray (micro-)computed tomographic data but may potentially be useful for the segmentation of 3D volume data from other sources.

Use of a remotely piloted aircraft system for hazard assessment in a rocky mining area (Lucca, Italy)

Abstract. The use of remote sensing techniques is now common practice in different working environments, including engineering geology. Moreover, in recent years the development of structure from motion (SfM) methods, together with rapid technological improvement, has allowed the widespread use of cost-effective remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) for acquiring detailed and accurate geometrical information even in evolving environments, such as mining contexts. Indeed, the acquisition of remotely sensed data from hazardous areas provides accurate 3-D models and high-resolution orthophotos minimizing the risk for operators. The quality and quantity of the data obtainable from RPAS surveys can then be used for inspection of mining areas, audit of mining design, rock mass characterizations, stability analysis investigations and monitoring activities. Despite the widespread use of RPAS, its potential and limitations still have to be fully understood.In this paper a case study is shown where a RPAS was used for the engineering geological investigation of a closed marble mine area in Italy; direct ground-based techniques could not be applied for safety reasons. In view of the re-activation of mining operations, high-resolution images taken from different positions and heights were acquired and processed using SfM techniques to obtain an accurate and detailed 3-D model of the area. The geometrical and radiometrical information was subsequently used for a deterministic rock mass characterization, which led to the identification of two large marble blocks that pose a potential significant hazard issue for the future workforce. A preliminary stability analysis, with a focus on investigating the contribution of potential rock bridges, was then performed in order to demonstrate the potential use of RPAS information in engineering geological contexts for geohazard identification, awareness and reduction.

Utilization of marble powder as fine aggregate in mortar mixes

The construction industry has been responsible for plaguing the environment due to ecological imbalance caused during the extraction and production of building materials. To make this production of construction materials cleaner, the dependency on natural resources has to be reduced. With this aim, marble powder which is a waste product generated during cutting and shaping of marble blocks has been evaluated as a replacement of conventional river sand in cement mortars. For this, four different mix proportions of mortars were evaluated in terms of workability, drying shrinkage, compressive strength, bond and adhesive strengths, density, water absorption and dynamic Young’s modulus. Results show that mortar mixes with 20% substitution of river sand by marble powder can be used for masonry and rendering purposes. Such mortars have a distinctively dense microstructure which is a consequence of reduced water requirement and formation of superior quality of hydration products. These were confirmed by scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. Hence, by replacing sand to the tune of 20% by marble powder, would enable the construction industry to reduce their dependency on river sand. Additionally, by utilizing this non-biodegradable marble waste as a building material, would reduce the burden on landfills and therefore help the marble stone industry to be more sustainable.

Characterization of pozzolanic lime mortars used as filling material in shaped grooves for restoring member connections in ancient monuments

ABSTRACTThis article presents a set of mechanical characteristics for a pozzolanic mortar consisting of hydrated lime and metakaolin, which is used as filler between metallic connectors and marble blocks during restoration activities of ancient monuments in Greece. Mechanical properties include the uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength, the indirect tensile strength, the bending strength, the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and a shear failure criterion. Cored cylindrical specimens are used for determining the uniaxial and triaxial compressive behavior and the indirect tensile strength of the mortar, thus ensuring the repeatability of the experimental results. The triaxial tests indicated a plastic behavior of the mortars under study, enabling them to perform well in conditions of high shear forces. Calcite and hydraulic components formed in the setting procedure contributed to the plasticity of the final mortar. The mechanical properties that were developed can be utilized to model material behavior and failure under conditions of confined or triaxial loading. The development of a shear failure criterion for a pozzolanic mortar is a substantial accomplishment that has not been previously reported in the international literature.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON C60 GRADE SELF-COMPACTION CONCRETE WITH MARBLE POWDER

Now days, self-compacting concrete is commonly used in construction industries. The main advantage of using selfcompaction concrete is, achieving the required strength without using the vibrators. In the present study, marble powderwas added with self-compaction concrete and their properties were studied. In Oman, marble factories produced marblepowders around 20-25% of total quantity of marbles by polishing and processing of marble blocks. These factories arefacing problem to dump those powders as landfill. These waste can be used as partially or completely replacement ofcement in concrete. In the present study, marble powders were mixed with C60 grade concrete as partial replacement ofcement (0%, 5%, 01% and 15%). Also flow test and compression test were conducted to study the effect of mixing marblepowder in self-compacting concrete.

Manufacture of drill bits from new diamond materials at high pressures and temperatures

The manufacture of diamond drill bits (diameter up to 212 mm) at pressures up to 1.5 GPa and temperatures up to 1250°C is described. This technology includes sintering by electric heating within a thermally and electrically insulating shell in a steel high-pressure chamber, for 120 min. Such high-pressure sintering is found to be a relatively rapid process, and the equipment may be employed repeatedly. Steel highpressure chambers of cylinder–piston type with working diameters up to 280 mm are developed and produced. In bit manufacture by this means, matrix material with diamonds may be pressed onto steel housing; alternatively, it is possible to use a powder housing with diamonds or with holes for subsequent attachment of diamonds by soldering or mechanical methods. Bits with model cutting elements made of polycrystalline carbonado diamonds are manufactured, and their operational properties are verified. In drilling a marble block under loads up to 50 kN, at speeds of 355 rpm, mechanical speeds up to 20 m/h are attained. In the technology developed, the cutting properties of carbonado diamonds may be retained, but the thermal stability matches that of PCD diamond–hard-alloy composites. The bits are rugged enough for use in the most challenging drilling conditions. The metal–ceramic matrix permits the reliable attachment of cutting elements made of ASPK diamond composites. It is strong and wear-resistant. This is an energy-saving technology with little environmental impact and is fast. It may be used to produce wear- and corrosion-resistant metal–ceramic housings, with subsequent attachment of diamonds by soldering or mechanical methods, on the basis of PCD composites with varying thermal stability.

Numerical Simulation and Experiment of Hardening Behaviors in Unsaturated Polyester Resin Artificial Marble Blocks Under Microwave Radiation

A high-power continuous microwave hardening system at the frequency of 915 MHz and the maximum output power of 60 kW is established to harden unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) artificial marble blocks of typical size $1600 \times 900\times 600$ mm3 in the industrial production. The microwave hardening system contains three major sections, including a $2000 \times 1300 \times 900$ mm3 multimode cavity, microwave generators, and three groups of feeding-waveguide systems from microwave generators to the multimode cavity. An optimum hardening method by adjusting the value of incident power and processing time is found on the basis of study of UPR properties and can promote products qualities. A numerical coupled electromagnetic and heat transfer model has been built to simulate microwave hardening process and to predict temperature profiles of artificial marble blocks successfully. The result that there is no significant change in temperature profiles between fixed and temperature-dependent thermal parameters indicates thermal conductivity K and specific heat capacity $C_{P}$ , which are not sensitive to temperature. The effect of height between artificial marble block and cavity bottom on electromagnetic field, absorption power, and temperature distribution is also discussed in this paper. The contrast results between the two hardening methods prove that the microwave hardening can achieve better comprehensive characteristics than natural hardening. The establishment of the high-power microwave hardening system has improved the industrial production efficiency of UPR artificial marble 300 times.

Electromechanical properties of smart aggregate: theoretical modeling and experimental validation

Smart aggregate (SA), as a piezoceramic-based multi-functional device, is formed by sandwiching two lead zirconate titanate (PZT) patches with copper shielding between a pair of solid-machined cylindrical marble blocks with epoxy. Previous researches have successfully demonstrated the capability and reliability of versatile SAs to monitor the structural health of concrete structures. However, the previous works concentrated mainly on the applications of SAs in structural health monitoring; no reasonable theoretical model of SAs was proposed. In this paper, electromechanical properties of SAs were investigated using a proposed theoretical model. Based on one dimensional linear theory of piezo-elasticity, the dynamic solutions of a SA subjected to an external harmonic voltage were solved. Further, the electric impedance of the SA was computed, and the resonance and anti-resonance frequencies were calculated based on derived equations. Numerical analysis was conducted to discuss the effects of the thickness of epoxy layer and the dimension of PZT patch on the fundamental resonance and anti-resonance frequencies as well as the corresponding electromechanical coupling factor. The dynamic solutions based on the proposed theoretical model were further experimentally verified with two SA samples. The fundamental resonance and anti-resonance frequencies of SAs show good agreements in both theoretical and experimental results. The presented analysis and results contribute to the overall understanding of SA properties and help to optimize the working frequencies of SAs in structural health monitoring of civil structures.

Iasos di Caria e il rilancio del suo porto in età bizantina: il ruolo del marmo

Placed inside one of the deep inlets indenting the Carian Coast, Iasos knew a period of economic prosperity in Justinian times, thanks to the increased demand of the polychrome marble quarried locally. At that time the marble, extracted from the nearby reliefs, was used mainly in revetment slabs. These were used in open book compositions which embellished many imperial buildings. The marbles were sawn into slabs in the quadriporticus of the mausoleum of the 2nd century A.D. placed nearby the East harbor. In that building, placed close to the aqueduct, were found numerous marble blocks, showing saw traces, abandoned over thick emery layers. The East harbor seems therefore the starting place for the marble artifacts diffusion, ascertained on eastern Mediterranean shores and Italy. At the time probably the quarries were imperial properties; so it is likely that here worked also Constantinopolitan stonemasons. These exchanges with Constantinople brought in Iasos the coloristic taste typical of the period: this is attested by the agora basilica, where, in the Justinian age, different kinds of marble were used, some maybe imported from the capital.