Abstract
The impressive Italian Renaissance architecture in Calcutta known as the Victoria Memorial has deteriorated noticeably over the last decade. As this has become a major cause of concern, a detailed microstructural investigation of the damaged parts was undertaken to establish the cause of deterioration. This study shows that protracted absorption of pollutants and hydratable salts has given rise to crystallization damage to the sandstone; the carrier substance is moisture. Separation of mortar joints has also occurred, and biological activity has resulted in the deposition of black and greenish patinas on the marble exterior and mortar joints. Copious deep-green patinas of copper sulfate have developed in places where copper plates were used within the structure, causing the building considerable loss of aesthetic beauty.
Resume
L'impressionnante oeuvre architecturale de la Renaissance italienne, le Victoria Memorial à Calcutta a subi une détérioration évidente au cours de la dernière décennie. Ceci étant deveau une préoccupation majeure, une étude microstructurale détaillée des parties endommagées a été entreprise dans le but d'établir les causes de la détérioration.
Cette étude démontre que l'absorption prolongée de polluants et de sels hydratables a donné naissance à une cristallisation dommageable pour la pierre; l'élément porteur est l'humidité. La séparation des joints de mortier est apparue, tandis que l'activité biologique a donné naissance à un dépôt de patine noire et verdâtre sur le marbre extérieur et sur les joints de mortier; une abondante patine verte foncé de sulfate de cuivre s'est aussi développée aux endroits où des plaques de cuivre ont été utilisées à l'intérieur de la structure, ce qui a fortement nui à la beauté esthétique de l'édifice.
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Sarkar, S.L., Bhadra, A.K. & Mandal, P.K. Investigation of mortar and stone deterioration in the victoria memorial, calcutta. Materials and Structures 27, 548–556 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473216
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473216