Experience of studying basic physical and mechanical properties of limestone

The geological structure of carbonate-bearing rock masses suitable for production of limestone blocks is described. Based on the research implemented at the Project and Expertise Center (PEC), NUST MISIS, it is shown how strength, structure and petrography of limestone change depending on engineering geological zones of deposits. A brief review of the earlier studies on the basic physical and mechanical properties of limestone is presented. The ranges of variation in the physical and mechanical properties are analyzed for different types of limestone, and the recommendations are given concerning adjustment of these ranges within the limits of Russian State Standard GOST 9479-2011. The information about the methods of testing face stone in Russia and in the European Union is presented. The advantages and shortcomings of these methods are described. The research findings on determination of the basic physical and mechanical parameters of limestone at NUST MISIS’ PEC and at some other Russian and foreign laboratories are generalized (over 500 test series). Based on these results, the dependences of the compression strength, water saturation and porosity of limestones on their average density, as well as the dependences of the water saturation and strength of limestones on their porosity are obtained. Given that the average density or porosity of limestone is known, these dependences make it possible to estimate probable ranges of the physical and mechanical indicators of the mineral.

Keywords: limestone, face stone, engineering geological zone, physical and mechanical properties, physical and mechanical indicators, average density, compression strength, water saturation, porosity, strength reduction in water saturation, stone blocks, GOST 9479-2011, GOST 30629-2011.

For citation:

Suprun V. I., Levchenko Ya. V., Stromonogov A. V. Experience of studying basic physical and mechanical properties of limestone. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(5):5-27. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_5_0_5.

Acknowledgements:

About authors:

V.I. Suprun¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Director PEC of NUST MISIS, e-mail: labstone@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4585-8003,
Ya.V. Levchenko¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: levchenko.mggu@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2080-6330,
A.V. Stromonogov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Engineer, e-mail: stromonogov.av@misis.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4585-8003,
¹ NUST MISIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia.

 

For contacts:

Ya.V. Levchenko, e-mail: levchenko.mggu@mail.ru.

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