Abstract
The values of surface recessions of sandstones in the bottom walls of the ancient World Heritage City of Pingyao were measured using a specially designed movable instrument with the precision of 0.0143 mm. Seventeen sample areas were chosen from four orientations to study the effect of weathering in this semi-arid, unpolluted environment. Each area could be sub-divided into three zones with different weathering degrees but the weathering rates were found to be highest in the south-facing and lowest in the north-facing sandstone walls. The reasons for the differential weathering are discussed and recommendations are made to reduce their effects.
Résumé
Les valeurs d’érosion de surface de grès de la base des murs de l’ancienne ville de Pingyao, inscrite au Patrimoine Mondial de l’Humanité, ont été mesurées avec un dispositif spécialement conçu apportant une précision de 0,0143 mm. Dix-sept surfaces échantillons ont été choisies à partir de quatre orientations pour étudier l’effet de l’altération météorique dans cet environnement semi-aride non pollué. Chaque surface pouvait être divisée en trois zones de différents degrés d’altération. Les taux d’altération sont apparus les plus forts sur les murs de grès regardant le sud et les plus faibles sur les murs de grès regardant le nord. Les raisons de cette altération différentielle sont discutées et des recommandations sont faites pour en diminuer les effets.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40672190 and No. 40902088). The authors thank Hongsong Li of State Cultural Relics Bureau and Shusheng Li of Pingyao Cultural Relics Bureau for providing useful information on the ancient city of Pingyao. In addition, special appreciation is forwarded to Professor Kejie Tao, State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, IGGCAS, China, for the help on mineral.
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Zhang, Z., Yang, Z., Wang, S. et al. Weathering rates of a sandstone structure in a semi arid environment: a case study of the ancient city of Pingyao (world cultural heritage), China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 70, 231–237 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-010-0316-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-010-0316-9