What is abrasion in construction?
Abrasion is the mechanical wearing away of a material surface through friction, scraping or erosion. In construction, abrasion affects virtually all materials that are exposed to mechanical loading, such as concrete floors, natural stone, masonry and road surfaces.
How does abrasion occur?
Abrasion occurs when hard particles or objects move across a surface, removing material in the process. Examples include:
- Pedestrian and vehicle traffic over concrete floors and paving
- Water flow carrying sand and gravel particles against concrete structures (bridge piers, locks)
- Wind-blown sand particles against facades and natural stone elements
- Abrasive action of machinery on factory floors
The degree of abrasion depends on the hardness of both the material and the abrading particles, as well as the speed and pressure involved.
Application and protection
In construction practice, abrasion is taken into account when selecting materials and finishes:
- Concrete floors — a wear-resistant topping or coating protects the structural slab. For heavily loaded floors, high-strength concrete or a hard aggregate topping is used
- Natural stone — hard stone types such as granite and basalt resist abrasion better than soft types such as limestone or sandstone
- Paving — pavers and concrete blocks are tested for abrasion resistance before being specified in traffic areas
- Hydraulic structures — concrete in contact with flowing water is specified with an abrasion-resistant mix design
Testing for abrasion resistance
The wear resistance of materials is determined using standardised tests, such as the Böhme test for natural stone and the BCA abrasion test for concrete floors.
Related terms
- Concrete
- Natural stone
- Wear-resistant topping
- Durability
- Paving
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