Assessment of weathering damage on stone monuments

The awareness of increasing stone damage on monuments and the danger of irretrievable loss of cultural heritage have resulted in great efforts to implement sustainable strategies for monument preservation. A precise diagnosis of damage with the comprehensive characterisation, interpretation and rating of stone damage represents the basis for effective and economical monument preservation measures. The experienced methodological approach to the assessment of stone damage combines in-situ investigation with laboratory studies. The monument mapping method is presented as an established non-destructive procedure for in-situ studies on stone damage. It can be applied to all stone types and to all kinds of stone monuments. The use of weathering forms, damage categories and damage indices for registration, documentation, quantitative evaluation and rating of stone damage is explained. Furthermore, complementary in-situ measurements are discussed. A wide range of analytical procedures and weathering simulation tests contribute to modern damage diagnosis on stone monuments.