2014 Theses Master's

The Performance of Two Alkoxysilane Consolidants on Three Berea Sandstones Through Controlled Environmental Stress Cycling

Swanson, Melissa Joanne

This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge about the performance of sandstone consolidants in North America. A sandstone consolidant in use in Europe was tested alongside a consolidant in use in North America. Based on laboratory testing of sample stone treated with the two consolidants, this thesis analyzes the performance of the consolidants in comparison to one another. Establishing the important performance characteristics of a successful sandstone consolidant and identifying the characteristics of the three Berea sandstones, and the two consolidants being tested, allows for an analytical performance of these materials. Controlled environmental stress cycling in the laboratory exposed the consolidated stone to conditions approximating those in the field. Comparing the maximum biaxial flexural strength of the stone samples, showed that the two consolidants show comparable performance, in consolidating each of the three sandstones.