ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: Results of self-potential, seismic reflection and refraction, Infrared spectroscopy, ion chromatography and IR thermography survey performed over a Portuguese artistic tomb made of a porous limestone are presented. The tomb presents nowadays severe decay phenomena. The decay products associated to the decay patterns observed are mainly related with the presence of salts, namely nitrates and secondarily of chlorides. The self-potential and the thermography survey allowed verifying that moisture degrees change in different side walls of the tomb. The seismic methods showed there is no clear interface between undamaged and damaged stone material where the limestone is soft and the strength is slightly lower in the most humid zones.