A report on serpentinites in the context of heritage stone resources
2012; International Union of Geological Sciences; Volume: 35; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.18814/epiiugs/2012/v35i4/003
ISSN2586-1298
Autores Tópico(s)Building materials and conservation
ResumoFigs. 1 and2) shown that the present state and the visual effects produced by the evolution of the rock with weathering is probably very different from what sculptors, constructors and architects expected when choosing this natural stone for their purposes.Extrapolation of these observations to other utilized serpentinites can serve for a better use of this rock in the future. The factsDifferent tools can be used for characterization of serpentinites: optical microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, geochemical analysis and physical and mechanical testing (Pereira et al., 2004;2010).Considered together these methods can constitute an excellent tool both to characterize the rocks and to identify their origin for a proper use in a restoration work.Some serpentinites have been quarried since ancient times for building purposes.Such are the cases of serpentinites from the Italian Alps, the different areas of the Rajasthan or Moeche and Macael, in Spain (Pereira et al., 2004(Pereira et al., , 2010, Fig. 1).These serpentinites occur in different varieties, depending on the degree and type of weathering.Some are transformed partly or totally into carbonates and some are transformed primarily into talc (Fig. 3).Examples of the latter can be found worldwide, utilised to build façades, local symbols and details that adorn many historical buildings (i.e.family coat of arms, Fig. 2).
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