Physico-chemical characterization of the Cartagena Wall and quarry material stone used for its restoration

The deterioration of historical structures is a topic of primary importance due to their historical, cultural and economic importance. Aggressive environments around structures can depend on anthropogenic factors such as NO2, SO2 gases among others, and environmental factors such as differential dilation, differential hydric dilation and crystallization. In the present study is proposed a physical-chemical characterization of the structure and quarry stone used for the replacement of deteriorated blocks of the defensive Wall of Cartagena, Colombia, UNESCO Cultural Heritage since 1984. X-ray and ionic chromatography identification were done in the structure stone. Furthermore, is proposed a Petrographycal comparison between structure and quarry material as well as mechanical characterization of the quarry material. The structure is composed mainly by soft limestone. Similar phisico-chemical characteristics were found through X-Ray and Petrographycal comparison, while salt crystallization is found playing a secondary role in the structure deterioration.