World Applied Sciences Journal 11 (5): 569-572, 2010

ISSN 1818-4952
IDOSI Publications, 2010

The Experimental Methods Suggested in Characterization of

Natural Stones Used in Historical Buildings
1
Mustafa Ozgunler and 2Seden Acun Ozgunler

Department of Building Physics and Materials, Faculty of Architecture, MSGSU, Turkey

1

2
Department of Building Materials, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: The main aim of this paper is to preserve the historical masonry buildings by determining the
characteristics of original stone which is essential in the conservation and restoration activities. The
determination of the characteristics of original material is necessary for both conservation and restoration of
buildings. The characterization of original stone is very important to choose the appropriate treatment methods
and protective chemicals. Because, conservation methods can be different in each type of stone. And also,
characterization data of the original stone is necessary to choose appropriate the quarried stone. To make a
contribution to preservation of the cultural heritage studies, the experimental methods were evaluated for
characterization of original stones used in the structure. In this paper, Ahi Celebi Mosque which was built in
16th century by Architect Sinan in Istanbul was chosen as a case study. In this building, usage of white colored
limestone (Kufeki) and green colored volcanic tuffs (Od Stone) were observed. Being much more deteriorated,
volcanic tuffs were studied in this case. By means of this study, a characterization method applicable on
volcanic tuffs used in historical buildings is recommended. The constituting a methodology of characterization
are also applicable on other types of stones.

Key words:Volcanic tuffs Od stone Stone conservation Ahi Celebi Mosque Experimental methods
Masonry buildings

INTRODUCTION In the walls of Ahi Celebi Mosque, white colored

Due to various factors historical buildings with
cultural value have been seriously damaged.
Especially building stones used in masonry historical
buildings are affected by the environmental factors
in time and thus are deteriorated. This causes detail
loss and structural damage in historical buildings.
Therefore, various preservation and restoration
activities are needed to prevent the deterioration of
stones. However, incorrect restoration usually due to
unsystematic or wrong choice of material leads to
irretrievable results. Various factors affect the
success of preservation and restoration activities.
In order to make successful preservation activities,
appropriate experimental methods must be followed
in a systematic way. In this case study, the
experiments were conducted on original stones
which were sampled from Ahi Celebi Mosque, which
is located in Eminonu. It was built in 16th century by
Architect Sinan, [1], (Figure 1).
limestones (Kufeki) and green colored volcanic tuffs
(Od stone) were used. But, it was observed that Od
stones were much more deteriorated than the limestones.
Especially, Od stones used in the walls and window
frames were seriously deteriorated. So, the
characterization studies were conducted on Od stone
samples in order to make a contribution to restoration
activities of Ahi Celebi Mosque. According to the
results of the study, new stones which were compatible
with the originals were ordered from the quarry.
Od means fire in Ottoman language, because of its
high fire resistance, they are called Od stones in Ottoman
archive documents. Od stones were commonly used in
Early Byzantine and Late Ottoman Buildings in the walls,
window frames and stairs, etc, [1]. The volcanic tuffs
which are rather frequently used in historical buildings
and monuments are deteriorated by various effects
because of their chaotic micro structure. The research
consists of laboratory tests following the suggested
experimental methods in the study, [2].

Corresponding Author: Seden Acun Ozgunler, Department of Building Materials, Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul Technical
University, Istanbul, Turkey, Tel: +90-2122931300/2385, E-mail: acunsed@itu.edu.tr.
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 World Appl. Sci. J., 11 (5): 569-572, 2010
Fig. 1: The photographs of Ahi Celebi Mosque
Fig. 2: The schema shows the experimental studies
The Environmental Conditions of Ahi Celebi Mosque:
In this research, before the experimental studies, the
environmental conditions of Ahi Celebi Mosque were
investigated. One of its facades is by the seaside (Golden
Horn) and the other facades are very close to traffic
zone. The building has also problems with ground
conditions. This building was highly affected by the salts
coming from the sea and the air pollution caused by
traffic. By these reasons, it was observed that there was
strong relationship between the deterioration mechanisms
of volcanic tuffs and the environmental conditions of Ahi
Celebi Mosque. For determining the deterioration
mechanisms, characterization studies were conducted by
following an experimental program. In this case study an
experimental program was constituted as shown in the
following parts.
The Experimental Studies for Characterization:
The characterization studies were conducted for
determining the type and the general properties of the
570
stones. By these studies, deterioration morphology was
also determined. The characterization tests consisted of
micro and macro analyses conducted on the original Od
stone samples such as physical, mechanical tests and
chemical and petrography analyses. These tests and
analyses were conducted on sound core and deteriorated
surface of the sample. The experimental program was
shown in Figure 2.
Taking Stone Samples: The stone samples were
extracted from the facades as stone blocks during the
restoration works. These blocks had approximately
20x20x30 cm dimensions. The necessary amounts of the
samples were taken from both the deteriorated surface and
the sound core of the stones for the tests. Most of the
samples were taken from the window frames in the north
and west facades (Figure 3). The samples were cut in to
4x4x16 cm prisms and 4x4x4cm cubic dimensions
according to universal standards for the tests and
analyses.
 World Appl. Sci. J., 11 (5): 569-572, 2010

Fig. 3: Sampling photos

(a) (b)
Fig. 4: Thin section photographs of general matrix, a). Single Nicole, b). Double Nicole

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 5: SEM photos of general matrix of Od stone, a).1000x, b). 2000x, c).5000x magnification

The Results of Micro Structure Analyses: The thin
section analyses, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were
conducted on the samples in order to determine the
type and the deterioration morphology of Od stones,
(Figs. 4-5). As a result of the analyses, Od stones were
determined as a rhyodasitic-dasitic tuff because of having
quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, zeolite etc. silicate
minerals. And deterioration morphology was determined
by finding montmorillonite as a clay mineral in the micro
structure. This was found in the result of the conversion
of feldspar minerals in to clay minerals by the cause of the
air pollution and atmospheric events.
For the chemical analysis, EDS were conducted in
order to determine the geo-chemical changes between the
sound and the altered stone samples. In the results of
EDS analyses, in the zeolithic tuffs, alteration is
determined as geochemically according to the amount of
SiO2, Na2O and K2O are decreased, Al 2O3, MgO, CaO are
increased, [3].
The Physical Property Tests: The physical properties of
Od stone were determined in compliance with TSE 699, TS
EN 1925, [4,5]. The physical tests consisted of capillarity,
water absorption in the atmospheric pressure, density,
specific gravity tests. The tests were conducted by using
40x40x160mm dimensioned prismatic samples.
The Mechanical Property Tests: The mechanical
properties of Od stone were determined in compliance
with TSE 699 and TS EN 14579, [4,6]. The mechanical tests

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 World Appl. Sci. J., 11 (5): 569-572, 2010
consisted of flexural strength, compression strength,
ultrasound velocity tests. The tests were conducted by
using 40x40x160mm prismatic samples and 40x40x40mm
cubic samples.
CONCLUSION
By this study, the characteristics (sound and
deteriorated) of Od Stone (volcanic tuff) were determined
by using experimental methods. These experimental
methods are suggested for determining the properties and
deterioration types of any kind of volcanic tuffs. The
physical and mechanical properties of Od stone taken
from Ahi Celebi Mosque were found variable depending
on the deterioration degree of the stone samples. The
average values of physical properties were; 7-9% water
absorption by mass, 16-18 % water absorption by volume,
2.05-2.12 g/cm3 density, 2.40-2.50 g/cm3 specific gravity,
16-18% porosity. The average values of mechanical
properties were; 5-10 MPa flexural strength, 35-40 MPa
compression strength and 2.20-2.70km/s ultrasound
velocity.
The volcanic tuffs are less durable against
the atmospheric conditions than the other magmatic
type of stones. Even though, the usage of these
stones on historic structures is seen frequently.
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In order to make successful restorations, it has
inevitable importance of characterization studies by using
experimental methods.
REFERENCES
1. Topkac, S., 1992. The Restoration ond Landscaping
of Ahi Celebi Mosque. Master Thesis, ITU Institute
of Science and Technology. Istanbul, Turkey.
2. Acun Ozgunler, S., 2007. A Research About the
Conservation of Volcanic Tuffs Used in Historic
Buildings: As a Case of Od Stone, PhD Thesis, ITU
Institute of Science and Technol.,
3. Esenli, F., 1993. The Geo-Chemical Changes on
Asidic Tuffs in Grdes Neogen Region by the
eolithization. Turkey Geology Bulletin, C., 36: 37-44.
4. TSE 699, 2009. Natural Stone Test Methods. Turkish
Standards Institute. Ankara, Turkey.
5. TS EN 1925. 2000. Natural Stone Test Methods:
Determining the Coefficient of Capillary Water
Absorption. Turkish Standards Institute. Ankara,
Turkey.
6. TS EN 14579. 2006. Natural Stone Test Methods:
Determination of Sound Speed Propagation. Turkish
Standards Institute. Ankara, Turkey.