Durability and Integrity of Marble Cladding: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review

Abstract

During the past 30 years, the use of thin marble panels as building cladding has increased markedly, but there have been many costly durability problems associated with this nontraditional cladding material. The writers present a historical overview of the mechanical and chemical durability of marble. Results dating from the 1800s, from the first scientific research on the properties of marble, are reviewed. Available guideline references for marble cladding design and detailing are cited. The influences of chemical reactions and temperature cycles on marble durability are outlined. A standard definition of durability is presented, and its relationship to persistent time‐dependent problems is discussed. Some of the theories and alleged causes for one of the more publicized durability problems, permanent out‐of‐plane bowing of thin marble cladding panels, are given. State‐of‐the‐art knowledge with respect to permanent bowing is summarized. The need for further research is stated. The paper concludes that there is a need to examine marble cladding design as an engineering problem in the area of structural mechanics and material.