Author(s)

Harald Garrecht

Abstract

In many cases a drastic structural decay caused by the presence of moisture can be observed. Stone masonry structures undergo deterioration processes when exposed to aggressive actions of the environment. The rate of damage and the mechanisms are determined by the properties of the building materials and by the environmental conditions prevailing on the site. In most cases degradation of building materials results from chemical or organic processes acting in conjunction with physical processes such as frost or mechanical stresses, which may be caused not only by external loads but also by internal stresses due to temperature and moisture gradients close to the stone surface as a consequence of the variable climatic and we

Keywords