Characterization analyzes in the geomechanical behavior of travertine rock

• Published in: SN applied sciences Vol. 5; no. 10; pp. 267 - 14
• Main Authors: Luza Huillca, Carlos Alberto, Jiménez Pacheco, Hugo Guillermo, Miranda Ramos, Lilia Mary, Delgado Sarmiento, Pavel Kewin, Alvarez Tohalino, Victor Ludgardo, Terrones Diaz, Héctor Enrique, Vargas, Euripedes do Amaral
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-10-2023; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Brittleness; Calcite; Carbonates; Cements; Chemistry/Food Science; Complexity; Compressive strength; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Geomechanical behavior; Geomechanics; Heterogeneity; Low resistance; Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Mineralogy; Minerals; Mitigation; Morphology; Natural resources; Oil and gas fields; Oil fields; Petrological characterization; Porosity; Porous structure characteristics; Rocks; Scanning electron microscopy; Slope stability; Stability analysis; Structural analysis; Sustainability; Tomography; Travertine; Italy; Geomechanical behavior; Petrological characterization; Porous structure characteristics; Travertine
• ISSN: 2523-3963; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-023-05420-w

There is a fundamental interest in studying travertine rocks, and this is to understand their structure, their geomechanical behavior and other particularities in order to guarantee their proper use in different engineering and architectural applications, and thus, evaluate the sustainability of the travertines, natural resources, the stability of slopes, the preservation of cultural heritage and the mitigation of possible anthropic risks. Travertine has petrological and mechanical properties similar to carbonates from oil fields such as those found in El Presal-Brazil, which currently contain the largest hydrocarbon reserves in the world. Given the impossibility of obtaining rock samples from this deposit to carry out the study, rocks similar to these were used. The present study specifically used samples of
Lapis tiburtinus
rocks, coming from the west of the city of Tivoli in Italy and these showed resistance to uniaxial and triaxial compression, and showed mechanical resistance due to increased porosity and brittleness. The investigation carried out an analysis of the geomechanical behavior travertine through an experimental program, which includes a petrological, structural, and mechanical characterization. It was determined the travertine is mainly composed of micrite and spastic calcite without the presence of grains or allochemical cements and presents high porosity of the fenetral and vulgar type. Macro and micropores were found to be chaotically distributed in the rock and have low connectivity, which demonstrates the complexity and heterogeneity of the porous structure of Roman travertine. Uniaxial and triaxial compressive strength tests were also carried out, observing a decrease in its mechanical strength due to the increase in porosity, presenting a property of brittleness in its behavior. The results were consistent and valid for this type of rock compared to other studies; determining that there is a correct and adequate operation of the triaxial cell used in the mechanical resistance tests.
Article Highlights
Roman travertine presents two facies, a complex porous structure with low connectivity and average porosity of 12.59%.
Travertine is a rock of very low resistance, influence by the porosity, and the pores collapse in the banded facies.
The Roman travertine has a higher stiffness compared to other similar strength travertines and carbonates.