In the last one hundred years buildings have deteriorated faster and more dramatically than in the five or more preceding centuries. In this paper the most important causes of decay to natural stones, used as building material are reviewed: I. Natural WEATHERING by air, water and characteristics of the material itself. Ii. Man-made decay caused by incompetence, neglect, vandalism, and environmental pollution; iii. Biogenic damage due to animals, plants and micro-organisms.
In the last one hundred years buildings have deteriorated faster and more dramatically than in the five or more preceding centuries. In this paper the most important causes of decay to natural stones, used as building material are reviewed: I. Natural WEATHERING by air, water and characteristics of the material itself. Ii. Man-made decay caused by incompetence, neglect, vandalism, and environmental pollution; iii. Biogenic damage due to animals, plants and micro-organisms.
In the last one hundred years buildings have deteriorated faster and more dramatically than in the five or more preceding centuries. In this paper the most important causes of decay to natural stones, used as building material are reviewed: I. Natural WEATHERING by air, water and characteristics of the material itself. Ii. Man-made decay caused by incompetence, neglect, vandalism, and environmental pollution; iii. Biogenic damage due to animals, plants and micro-organisms.