Physical Deterioration of Egyptian Limestone Affected by Saline Water

• Main Author: Mohammed EL-GOHARY
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi 2013-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Conservation Science
• Subjects: Saline water; Physical properties; Thermal dilatation; Abrasion resistant
• Online Access: http://ijcs.uaic.ro/public/IJCS-13-42-El-Gohary.pdf

This study is the second in a series of experiments that describe the chemical, physical and thermal properties of archaeological limestone affected by salt and saline water in Egypt. This research aims to study the aggressive physical effects of different types of salts dominated in saline water and their different mechanisms on the acceleration of weathering processes that affect Egyptian limestone. It presents a multidisciplinary approach to characterize, at both micro/macro scales, the behavior of a limestone widely used as a construction material in most of Egyptian monuments when interacting with some types of salt solutions of various concentrations. A systematic optical, morphological, physical and mechanical analysis of the fresh and weathered stone samples were used to evaluate different characteristics through using scientific some techniques such as optical microscope (OP) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition to the using of some special computer programs that were used to define different physical and mechanical properties such as weight changes, bulk density, total porosity, water uptake, water content, thermal dilatation and abrasion resistant. The results proved that all investigated samples were gradually affected by the types of salinity paths and salt concentrations. These results will serve as a database for the future comparison of long term behavior of stones before and after the planned conservation of the entire area. So, it is pertinent to device some scientific methods and interventions to reduce all factors of salt effects and removing their harmful aspects from historic fabric of the archaeological buildings through some scientific recommendations