The effects of salts as a primary weathering parameter of globigerina limestone

Abstract

Stone has always been a very widely used construction material. The Maltese islands are fortunate in being enriched by many stone monuments dating back to prehistoric times. The extensive use of Globigerina Limestone locally can be attributed to its physical properties such as the ease with which it can be quarried and worked, the aesthetic appeal of its yellowish colour and its delicate surface texture. Apart from this the stone is practically the only primary found on the islands. Stone objects interacting with the environment are modified in time. The rate of deterioration resulting from such modifications can be enhanced or reduced by several factors. The intervention of man on the environment is one of the most crucial factors in the process of stone weathering. For this reason the better understanding of the weathering action helps in the preservation of monuments. The original motivation of this dissertation was to bridge the gap between two other previous B.E.& A. (Hons.) dissertations, those by M. Azzopardi (1992) and P. Farrugia (1993). These provided very useful information on the pore properties of Globigerina Limestone and the weathering of stone due to salt attack. This dissertation was prepared in the light of several other similar research programs carried out abroad. An extensive literature review provided the background information to understand salt actions within pores. Pore properties and weathering parameters are very much related in a manner that each property will influence and alter the other. This work aims to step forward in the understanding of the deterioration of our local stone.