Deterioration of the granitic stone at Misericórdia chapel in Murça (northern Portugal)

Abstract

In this work are considered the main deterioration processes of the granitic stone at the Misericórdia chapel of Murça (Vila Real). In the main façade and indoors there are erosive features (that can endanger decorative elements) and salt efflorescences with distributions that suggested the influence of capillary rising solutions, hypothesis supported by studies with ground penetrating radar and thermography. The extension of the weakening effect was assessed by measurements with a Drilling Resistance Measurement System. In the main façade, there are also erosive features at the upper portions, as well as black crust, salt efflorescences, biological colonization and other coatings.