Development of Comprehensive Predictive Models for Evaluating Böhme Abrasion Value (BAV) of Dimension Stones Using Non-Destructive Testing Methods

Due to the global demand for dimension stones, fast and reliable evaluation tools are essential for assessing the quality of dimension stones. For this reason, this study aims to develop comprehensive tools for estimating the abrasion resistance of various dimension stones from Turkey. Non-destructive rock properties, including dry density (ρd), water absorption by weight (wa), and pulse wave velocity (Vp), were determined to build a comprehensive database for soft computing analyses. Three predictive models were established using multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), M5P, and artificial neural networks (ANN) methodologies. The performance of the models was assessed through scatter plots and statistical indicators, showing that the ANN-based model outperforms those based on M5P and MARS. The applicability of the models was further validated with independent data from the existing literature, confirming that all models are suitable for estimating varying Böhme abrasion values (BAVs). A MATLAB-based software tool, called Böhme abrasion calculator (v1.00), was also developed, allowing users to estimate BAV values by inputting adopted non-destructive rock properties. This tool is available upon request, supporting the dimension stone industry and fostering future research in this field.