Natural stone diagnosis with the means of non-destructive tests: case studies

The evaluation of natural stone mechanical properties represents a requirement for the assessment of the quality of a rock mass and of the end product. For this scope the non-destructive tests are the best investigation tool, being easy and brief to perform and don't causing any damage to the stone. In this work two non-destructive and one micro-destructive tests are analysed: Schmidt hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements and Drilling Resistance Measurements System (DRMS). For each measurement technique, test methods have been developed in order to execute measurements with major repeatability and accuracy and the results of the expedition tests are compared with the standard characterization tests. Expedition tests play an important role in the constant control of the quality of the product and in the conduction of the exploitation. The three methods are compared with the standard testing method for quickness, cost and attainable accuracy.