Physico-Mechanical Characteristics of Dawala Bidzar Marbles (North Region Cameroon) and Their Experimentation in Epoxy Terrazzo Tiles Production

This study determines the physical and mechanical properties of marbles (pink, white, greyish, pinkish white or greyish white) from Bidzar Dawala village, used these values for their characterization as raw materials for epoxy terrazzo tiles processing, processes epoxy terrazzo tiles, and evaluate their quality. Within the physical properties: porosity varies from 0.78 to 0.96 %; water absorption varies from 0.18 to 0.25 %; durability ranges from 0.38 to 0.50 %; specific gravity ranges from 2.68 to 2.73 g/cm3; and hardness is 3. The studied marbles are compact and less porous type; with an excellent to satisfactory SG, and a low to very low water absorption. The physical properties fall within the standard values of marbles used to process terrazzo tiles. The compression and flexural strengths vary from 75.0 to 78.5 MPa, and from 16.5 to 18.1 MPa, respectively. These strength values are compatible with that of strong stone and standard values of rocks used in terrazzo tiles processing. The water absorption for processed epoxy terrazzo tiles is up to 0.409 %; and the compressive strength varying from 30.3 to 32.81 MPa; classify them as moderate compressive strength tiles; used in both interior and exterior surface.