Analytical study to evaluate the origin and severity of damage caused by salt weathering in a historical Palace House: the attack of infiltration water
Abstract
The attack of acid infiltration water on a historical building was thoroughly studied by a combination of ion chromatography, chemometric and thermodynamic chemical modelling. The treatment of the quantitative data points out the formation and damage mechanisms of degradation compounds (salts of nitrates, sulfates and chlorides). The soluble salts content was evaluated by comparison with current guides in order to advise on the required actions of restoration. The results also revealed that the salts followed the Arnold and Zehnder's model distribution, by capillarity effect. Using this multianalytical methodology, the principal mechanisms of decay were established.