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Laboratory simulation of salt weathering under moderate ageing conditions: Implications for the deterioration of sandstone heritage in temperate climates
Author(s) -
Wang Yinghong,
Viles Heather,
Desarnaud Julie,
Yang Shanlong,
Guo Qinglin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.5086
Subject(s) - weathering , geology , humidity , efflorescence , environmental science , mineralogy , geochemistry , meteorology , geography
Salt weathering is a significant process affecting the deterioration and conservation of stone‐built heritage in many locations and environments. While much research has focused on the impact of salt weathering under arid or coastal conditions with characteristic climatic conditions and salt types, many sites found to be experiencing salt‐induced deterioration, such as sandstone rock‐hewn cave temples in Gansu Province, China and sandstone buildings in the northern UK, experience high humidities, moderate temperature ranges, and different salt types. To evaluate the impact of salt weathering on sandstone‐built heritage under such mild humid environmental conditions, a lab simulation experiment was designed. The experiment was carried out on three types of sandstone (used in the northern UK and Gansu Province, China) and utilized a realistic diurnal humidity and temperature cycle (85% RH/16°C + 60% RH/22°C), and three widespread damaging salts, that is, Na 2 SO 4 , MgSO 4 , and the mixture of Na 2 SO 4 –MgSO 4 . The nature and extent of deterioration was monitored by photography, weight loss, and the changes in petrophysical properties measured using hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity (P‐wave velocity), water absorption coefficient by capillarity, open porosity, and apparent density. All three sandstones were found to be susceptible to MgSO 4 and the mixture of Na 2 SO 4 –MgSO 4 , but weakly affected by Na 2 SO 4 under mild humid environmental conditions.