Sustainable Use of Traditional Geomaterials in Construction Practice
Geomaterials derived from the Earth’s crust and used in construction after appropriate processing are among the earliest raw materials exploited, processed and used by humans. Their numerous functional properties include accessibility, workability and serviceability, and these are explored within this volume. In modern society, sustainable use of raw materials, specifically those exploited in large volumes such as geomaterials for construction, raises questions of reducing extraction of primary resources and thus minimizing impacts on natural systems, and also employment of materials and technologies to lower emissions of deleterious substances into the atmosphere. This will be possible only if we fully understand the properties, processing and mode of use of traditional geomaterials. Although most of the papers within this volume were written by geologists, the contributions will also be of interest to those working in cultural heritage, monument conservation, civil engineering and architecture.
The role of the petrophysical characteristics on the durability and conservation of some porous calcarenites from Southern Italy
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Published:January 01, 2016
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CiteCitation
A. Calia, M. Lettieri, A. Mecchi, G. Quarta, 2016. "The role of the petrophysical characteristics on the durability and conservation of some porous calcarenites from Southern Italy", Sustainable Use of Traditional Geomaterials in Construction Practice, R. Přikryl, Á. Török, M. Gomez-Heras, K. Miskovsky, M. Theodoridou
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Abstract
Highly porous and soft calcarenites, often called ‘calcareous tuffs’, are commonly found throughout Southern Italy and are traditionally used as building materials. The petrophysical features of some of them were determined, focusing on the microstructure (fabric and porosimetric characteristics) and on the properties related to water absorption, drying and water vapour permeability; the compressive strength was also measured. The mineralogical composition was analysed and a variable presence of clay minerals was found for the different varieties. Diverse levels of damage under a salt crystallization test were related to the mineralogical, petrographic and porosimetric features, the latter being a source of the heterogeneity of the investigated stones. Results of laboratory tests and observations of decay in the field suggest protection against water penetration as the primary requirement for slowing down the decay of such highly porous and soft stones. Some water-repellent products were tested for effectiveness in reducing water absorption and for compatibility with the original stones’ properties. Their use in the presence of salts was taken into account, including the performances of the treated stones under the salt crystallization test. Treatment issues were found to be strongly influenced by the porosimetric characteristics of the studied materials.
- Apulia Italy
- building stone
- buildings
- calcarenite
- capillarity
- carbonate rocks
- chemical weathering
- compressive strength
- conservation
- construction materials
- damage
- degradation
- durability
- engineering properties
- Europe
- fabric
- hardness
- hydrophobic materials
- insoluble residues
- Italy
- laboratory studies
- limestone
- limestone deposits
- mechanical properties
- microstructure
- mineral composition
- mitigation
- permeability
- petrography
- physical properties
- porosity
- protection
- sedimentary rocks
- Southern Europe
- structures
- weathering
- Salento Italy
- Gravina Italy
- salt crystallization tests
- Gravina Calcarenite Formation