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May 26, 2012
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travertine

travertine (trăv'urtin, –tēn) [key], form of massive calcium carbonate, CaCO3, resulting from deposition by springs or rivers. It is often beautifully colored and banded as a result of the presence of iron compounds or other (e.g., organic) impurities. This material is variously known as calc-sinter and calcareous tufa and (when used for decorative purposes) as onyx marble, Mexican onyx, and Egyptian or Oriental alabaster. Travertine is generally less coarse-grained and takes a higher polish than stalactite and stalagmite, which are similar in chemical composition and origin.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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Stone floor maintenance: travertine: I recently received a call from a perplexed technician regarding a stone floor on which he was working. He indicated he had polished the floor with diamond abrasives, and that overall the floor had excellent gloss but, try as he might, he could not polish out the traffic lane in the entrance.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities) (ICS Cleaning Specialist)

Rough and polished travertine building stone decay evaluated by a marine aerosol ageing test.(Report) (Construction and Building Materials)

The role of photosynthesis and CO2 evasion in travertine formation: a quantitative investigation at an important travertine-depositing hot spring, Le Zitelle, Lazio, Italy (Journal of the Geological Society)

An economic solution to high quality travertine filling. (Construction and Building Materials)

Mexican travertine brings life to office design.(Brief Article) (Stone World)

Travertine creates revival design for upscale development: the extensive use of travertine for interior and exterior applications in the Revival Collection, a trio of upscale homes in the Mission Hills section of San Diego, CA, creates sophisticated yet open living spaces.(Residential Design) (Stone World)

Limestone and travertine reflect campus tradition: the Walsh Center for Performing Arts at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, TX, was built with limestone and travertine to relate to other buildings on campus. (Stone World)

A signature design in travertine: the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History in New Mexico recently underwent an extensive expansion, which included the addition of native and Turkish travertine.(Cover story) (Stone World)

A travertine face for California science center: a travertine facade was used for much of the exterior of the Broad Center for the Biological Sciences in Pasadena, CA, to complement the building's stainless steel panels. (Stone World)

Limestone contributes to Mediterranean-style design: a combination of limestone and Italian travertine played an instrumental role in bringing Old World charm to a Midwestern home.(Limestone) (Stone World)

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