ABSTRACT
1092The present project called “Testing of Nordic Natural Stones” was formed to give guide-lines for the assessment of the durability of naturals stones, primarily against freeze-thaw action. The work was set up as a joint inter-Nordic project between the four major Nordic stone testing institutes. The most common test methods for natural stones were used in comparison tests with eight Nordic rock types and a Carrara marble as a reference.
It can be concluded that if the question only is to assess the frost resistance of a specific stone type, it is mostly adequate to evaluate the performance of the stone on buildings in similar environments, to perform a petrographical analysis and to measure the water absorption. The more sophisticated test methods and methods for evaluation (climatic chambers, sonic velocity and resonance frequency) have their primary use when the dimensions of the actual stone elements and slabs are to be calculated. It is then of interest to get more detailed information on how large the decrease in various strength properties due to frost action can be.
