Stones for the production of binding materials in Florence area (Tuscany, italy)

From the Roman times to nowadays the exploitation of natural resources has been of primary importance for the expansion and developments of cities and population in general. As long as for more precious natural materials, like gold and silver, even the exploitation of limestones and other lithotypes of stones for building purposes, as the production of quicklime, hydraulic lime and cements, has covered and still has a great importance (Cantisani et al., 2018; Fratini et al. 1994). The limestone exploitation to produce mortar and concrete in the territories of Florence and Prato has been active in the area from the Roman times (Cantini et al., 2017; Raneri et al., 2018). The main goal of this paper is to characterize the different lithotypes useful to the production of cement and limes for mortar production in this area by mean of chemical, mineralogical and petrographic studies and by defining their physical and mechanical properties. This study analyses stone samples from different quarries, one from the province of Prato, Mt. Calvana, and two quarries from the province of Florence, Settimello and Greve in Chianti. A mapping of these quarries and a comparison between the chemical, mineralogical and petrographic characteristics and physical and mechanical properties of these lithotypes are made.