Characterization and durability analysis of coral stones in a marine environment

Author(s): Swathy Manohar, Manu Santhanam
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 5th Historic Mortars Conference
Editor(s): José Ignacio Álvarez, José María Fernández, Íńigo Navarro, Adrián Durán, Rafael Sirera
ISBN: 978-2-35158-221-3
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-222-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 655-664
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: This study reports the characterization of coral stones collected from a historic structure of
15th century from Southern India. The chemical composition, analysed using X-ray
diffraction, revealed the presence of calcite and aragonite. The pore structure and porosity
of the highly porous stone was determined using mercury Intrusion Porosimetry. The stones
were then subjected to accelerated weathering tests in laboratory using immersion in
sodium sulphate and sodium chloride solutions allowing dry-wet cycles. The mass loss was
determined after each cycle, and microstructural characterization was carried out to see the
modified pore distribution and porosity after the weathering cycles. It was found from the
investigation that even though coral stones possess low compressive strength, they have
extremely good performance with respect to durability. From the results, sodium chloride
was found to be not a detrimental weathering agent for coral stones, whereas long-term
exposure to sodium sulphate in heavy dosages caused slow but homogeneous kind of
weathering. Hence, providing water repellent coatings is not a suggestive remedy for
preventing further deterioration.

Online publication : 2019
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00