Environmental weathering of natural and artificial stones used in historical architecture: influence of microstructure and new restoration methods

A significant correlation was found between the vulnerability of natural and artificial stones to environmental weathering and their microstructure, specifically the product of carbonate content and specific surface area. This 'vulnerable specific surface area' offers a potential quantification for assessing stone resistance to environmental attack. The study exposed stone samples with varying microstructural features to slightly acidic aqueous solutions, simulating clean and acid rain, to test this hypothesis. Additionally, a novel consolidant using hydroxya-patite was developed, which significantly enhances the mechanical properties of weathered carbonate stones without blocking water exchange. This non-hazardous aqueous solution can penetrate deeply into the stone (> 2 cm) and provide strengthening within just two days.

Sassoni, Enrico <1982>. (2011). Environmental weathering of natural and artificial stones used in historical architecture: influence of microstructure and new restoration methods. Alma Mater Studiorum - Università Di Bologna. https://doi.org/10.6092/UNIBO/AMSDOTTORATO/3690