Determination of physical and mechanical properties of limestones used as marble in Tut-Adiyaman Region in Turkey

This study aimed to reveal the petrography and physical-mechanical properties of limestones, which have an important reserve and are used as marble, in Tut district of Adıyaman province, which is one of the important cities of southeast Anatolia. As a result of petrographic analysis of the rock known commercially as Emprador, it was determined that it is bioclastic limestone with abundant nummulite fossils. Density, dry and saturated unit weight, water absorption, surface roughness, abrasion resistance and uniaxial compressive strength tests were applied to determine the physical and mechanical properties of the limestones. According to the test results obtained, the density of the limestones, dry unit weight, saturated unit weight, water absorption by weight, water absorption by volume, average surface roughness, ten points roughness average, maximum roughness value, Bohme abrasion resistance and uniaxial compressive strength values were determined as 2.486 gr/cm3, 2.478 gr/cm3, 2.52 gr/cm3, 1.482%, 3.644%, 3.31 μm, 16.24 μm, 20.03 μm, 8.958 cm3/50cm2 and 1004.03 kgf/cm2 respectively. The results show that the limestones in and around Tut (Adıyaman) county can be used in large areas for decorative purposes, with their physical and mechanical properties, as well as their colour tone and the texture formed as a result of the calcite veins being shaped like a natural pattern.