Salt crystallization damage in limestone used in historical buildings：an experimental comparison between Italian and Greek stones.

Water and salts have long been the main factors of deterioration in building materials. This thesis studies the weathering resistance of limestone as a building material under salt crystallization conditions. Specimens selected were Alfas stone and Lecce stone, respectively from Greece and Italy. Through several analytical techniques (capillary absorption test, salt crystallization test, X-ray diffraction, Calcimetry, Ion chromatography and Mercury intrusion porosimetry), the properties of the stones were analyzed. The original characteristics, such as chemical composition, pore size and distribution were studied for revealing their roles on weathering behavior under salt crystallization. By comparing and studying these different properties of stones, we can better understand the importance of those characteristics on weathering results.