Artificial Thermal Quenching and Salt Crystallization Weathering Processes for the Assessment of Long-Term Degradation Characteristics of Some Sedimentary Rocks, Egypt

This research aims at investigating the deterioration of limestone rocks due to influences thermal quenching and salt crystallization weathering tests predicting their long-term durability. Therefore, six types limestones were quarried from different provinces Egypt subjected 50 cycles 25 processes. The porosity, Schmidt hammer rebound hardness, ultrasound pulse velocity, Brazilian tensile strength, uniaxial compression strength determined before after In addition, mathematical decay function model was developed evaluate degradation rate samples against Results proved that cyclic deteriorates physico-mechanical characteristics studied more strongly than do. constant half-life indexes obtained here indicate differs for various specimens under also showed higher during in comparison with quenching. rock or durability processes can be estimated accurately. These results show used as building stones regions exposed frequent salty conditions long periods without degradation. However, partial attention should given LSG characterized by increased porosity water absorption characteristics.