Estudio Preliminar de las Propiedades Físico-Mecánicas, Mineralógicas y Químicas del Travertino de Málaga, Santander Empleado en la Renovación de la Plaza de Bolívar, Tunja.

Abstract

This research arises from the use of Malaga travertino a pedestrian circulation surface in the Bolivar square of the city of Tunja (Boyacá). Travertino is a sedimentary carbonate rock of continental origin that has been used for more than 2,000 years. This degree work seeks to establish in a preliminary way the physical-mechanical, mineralogical and chemical properties of travertino from Málaga (Santander), used as an ornamental material for exterior covering in the Plaza de Bolívar of Tunja; after its installation, in 30mm thick tiles, the development of cracks and total rupture of some of them has been observed. The experimental work is developed in two main phases: in the first one, the corresponding field visit to the quarry where the material is exploited is carried out. In the second phase, in the laboratory, physical-mechanical and chemical characterization is carried out and some properties of fluid circulation are established. After testing the modulus of rupture (ASTM C99), it was found that the minimum expected value corresponds to 8.96 MPa, and after performing the proper pre-dimensioning of the travertine slabs according to standard UNE-EN 1341 Annex A, it was found that the travertino slabs used in the Bolivar Square in Tunja failed due to insufficient mechanical capacity, since a minimum thickness of 45 mm should have been used. From the chemical characterization by XRF, it was found that the travertino of Malaga is composed of 98% calcium; the XRD results indicate that mineralogically it is composed of 91.5% calcium carbonate in the form of "Calcite", with traces of silicon oxide, aluminum oxyhydroxide and iron carbonate. Its capillary absorption coefficient averages 2399.54 g/m2×s0.5; its porosity varies from 5.7% to 8.3% and its average density is 2737 kg/m3. According to the results, the Malaga travertino has a density higher than the average density published by ASTM C1527 (2305 kg/m3). The results of capillarity and porosity reflect the great anisotropy of the material, as well as the variability of its porosity in the rock structure.