Different igneous masonry blocks and salt crystal weathering rates in the architecture of historical city of Konya

The damaging effects of salt crystal growth on the ancient igneous masonry blocks in Konya region have been investigated. A systematic mineralogical, petrographical and chemical examination of weathered masonry blocks and crusts was performed, both in situ and in the lab on samples received from different locations of Konya. Basically, sodium sulphate and magnesium sulphate soundness tests were carried out to determine the salt crystal weathering rates for the nine different igneous masonry blocks. The tests subject samples to immersion in sodium sulphate and magnesium sulphate solutions and oven drying, repeating this process through at least 15 cycles. After these testing cycles, weight loss of the masonry samples was measured and the durability of each sample was assessed by the percentage of weight lost. The strength reduction of each sample was also experimentally determined.