Effect of Various Physical Properties on Abrasion Resistance of Travertine Cladding Stone and its Estimation from Practical Tests

Abstract Travertine is a widely used natural stone in mining, construction and architecture, valued for its unique combination of aesthetic appeal, durability, and workability. One of its most distinctive features is its porous, layered texture, which varies based on depositional conditions. While these pores contribute to travertine’s characteristic appearance, they also negatively impact its mechanical properties and abrasion resistance an essential factor in flooring applications. This study investigates the abrasion properties of 26 travertine groups from different regions of Türkiye. The abrasion resistance was assessed using two standard test methods which are the Wide Wheel (W A ) and the Rotary Platform (I w ) abrasion using EN and ASTM standards, respectively. Additionally, physical, non-destructive and mechanical tests to determine the apparent density (ρ), the open porosity ( n ), the Schmidt hardness (H S ), the Leeb hardness (H L ), the P-wave velocity (V P ), and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) were conducted, and results were evaluated to reveal their influence on the abrasion test results. The results pointed out that the n , H L , H S , and UCS parameters are closely related to the abrasion resistance of travertine and can be used in its prediction. Furthermore, a strong exponential correlation was established between the W A and I w test parameters. n is an effective parameter on abrasion resistance, and it has been revealed that abrasion resistance decreases significantly in travertine sample groups exceeding 4%. The lower abrasion resistances observed on travertine sample groups is attributed to their low strength and lower hardness values. The proposed correlations offer a practical approach for estimating abrasion resistance using simpler tests, enabling a more efficient evaluation of the abrasion performance of travertine.