In this research, neutron radiography has been used to visualize porous structure in natural building stones. As is well known, the porous structure of a stone can change in relation to different degradation processes, modifying the characteristics of freshly quarried blocks. The knowledge of this feature is fundamental in order to predict the behavior of the stones and the efficacy of conservative treatments. In this context, neutron radiography can be considered a useful tool to visualize the porous structure of porous materials, degradation degree and surface modifications caused by weathering processes. Furthermore, because thermal neutrons suffer a strong attenuation by hydrogen, this tecnique is effective to investigate the absorbed water in building materials. In the present work, we report a neutron radiography investigation performed on calcarenites cropping out in the South-Eastern Sicily and widely used as building stones in Baroque monuments of the Noto Valley. The analysed samples have been previously underwent to cyclic salt crystallization to simulate degradation processes acting in exposed stones in buildings. The obtained results demonstrate the potentiality of neutron radiography to better understand deterioration processes in calcarenites and acquire information useful to restoration projects. 1. M. K. Alam, M. N. Islam, M. A. Zaman, Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(2), 197-206 (2008). 2. F. Hameed, A. Rohatsch, J. Weber, B. Zamani, M. Zawisky, Neutron Radiography – WCNR 8, 251-263 (2006). 3. P. Zhang, F. H. Wittmann, T. J. Zhao, E. Lehmann, Z. Q. Jin, SCIENCE CHINA Technological Sciences, 53(5), 1198-1207 (2010).
Neutron radiography for the characterization of porous structure in degraded building stones
RANERI, SIMONA;
2013-01-01
Abstract
In this research, neutron radiography has been used to visualize porous structure in natural building stones. As is well known, the porous structure of a stone can change in relation to different degradation processes, modifying the characteristics of freshly quarried blocks. The knowledge of this feature is fundamental in order to predict the behavior of the stones and the efficacy of conservative treatments. In this context, neutron radiography can be considered a useful tool to visualize the porous structure of porous materials, degradation degree and surface modifications caused by weathering processes. Furthermore, because thermal neutrons suffer a strong attenuation by hydrogen, this tecnique is effective to investigate the absorbed water in building materials. In the present work, we report a neutron radiography investigation performed on calcarenites cropping out in the South-Eastern Sicily and widely used as building stones in Baroque monuments of the Noto Valley. The analysed samples have been previously underwent to cyclic salt crystallization to simulate degradation processes acting in exposed stones in buildings. The obtained results demonstrate the potentiality of neutron radiography to better understand deterioration processes in calcarenites and acquire information useful to restoration projects. 1. M. K. Alam, M. N. Islam, M. A. Zaman, Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(2), 197-206 (2008). 2. F. Hameed, A. Rohatsch, J. Weber, B. Zamani, M. Zawisky, Neutron Radiography – WCNR 8, 251-263 (2006). 3. P. Zhang, F. H. Wittmann, T. J. Zhao, E. Lehmann, Z. Q. Jin, SCIENCE CHINA Technological Sciences, 53(5), 1198-1207 (2010).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
