Abstract Since pharaonic times local limestones have been used in Cairo for monument construction. Weathering damage on many historical stone monuments in Cairo is alarming. Studies on properties and weathering behaviour of the limestones were carried out by means of laboratory tests and in situ investigation of many historical monuments. The laboratory studies reveal considerable petrographical variations for the Middle Eocene limestones. The limestone weathering was assessed with respect to weathering forms, weathering products and weathering profiles. A classification scheme of weathering forms and their intensities was tailored to optimal applicability for all Cairo historical monuments constructed from limestones. Monument mapping has been applied for the detailed registration of weathering forms and as a basis for the quantitative rating of stone damage by means of damage categories and damage indices. For the historical monuments in the centre of Cairo the combined evaluation of weathering forms, weathering products and weathering profiles shows clear correlations between the development of weathering damage and salt loading of the limestones as a consequence of air pollution and rising humidity. They demonstrate the need and urgency for monument preservation measures.

Abstract This study presents a new experimental chamber, which builds upon previous methods of testing salt weathering. This method is based on capillary rising in samples, as this corresponds to the actual imbibition process in building stone. This set-up allows control in setting both a specific thermal regime and cycling temperatures. Some of the significant additions of this experimental set-up are: continuous flow of the saline solution, as the samples will be fed with a constant concentration throughout the experiments; and continuous monitoring of environmental temperature, relative humidity and sample weights. Recorded results in this research belong to limestone samples from Mokattam, Cairo. Results are also considered as a proof to the practical advantages of the experimental chamber in salt-weathering studies and its environmental controls.