The behaviour to weathering of the Hyblean limestone in the Baroque architecture of the Val di Noto (SE Sicily): An experimental study on the "calcare a lumachella" stone

This work focuses on the study of the "calcare a lumachella" stone (Mt. Carrubba Fm.), a carbonate rock widely used as building and decorative material in the Baroque architecture of the Val di Noto (southeastern Sicily). Among all types of limestone outcropping in the area, this lithotype shows higher resistance to weathering. In such a context, the main goal of this study is to correlate the mineralogical petrographic and physical-mechanical features of the "calcare a lumachella" stone with its excellent response to weathering. For such a purpose, all obtained data were also compared with those from literature concerning other local limestones whose behaviour with respect to weathering is rather different. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.