Effectiveness of stone treatments in enhancing the durability of bioclastic calcarenite in (Granada, Spain)

• Main Authors: A. Luque, G. Cultrone, E. Sebastián, O. Cazalla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 2008-12-01
• Series: Materiales de Construccion
• Subjects: calcarenite; characterization; durability; architectural heritage
• Online Access: http://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/view/120

Santa Pudia limestone, a biocalcarenite highly sensitive to decay, is one of the most commonly used building materials in historical monuments in the city of Granada, Spain. The compatibility between a variety of stone treatments (consolidants and/or water repellents) and this calcarenite was analyzed and the resulting improvement in durability assessed. To this end, a two-stage accelerated ageing process was implemented. In the first, freshly quarried, undamaged specimens were altered to resemble the weathered stone in buildings. The second was conducted after applying the various treatments to the artificially aged stone to test their effectiveness. While all the treatments studied (Tegosivin HL100, Silo 111, Estel 1100 and Tegovakon V) enhanced stone resistance to decay while barely affecting chromatic parameters, the most effective was Tegowakon V, as it provided the best results in the hydric tests on the limestone.