PROSPECTIVE STUDY 2 (PS2) – CAIRO / EGYPT 

 

PARTNERS

Country EGYPT GERMANY FRANCE
Institution Cairo University -
Faculty of Engineering,
Engineering Center for Archaeology and Environment		 Aachen University of Technology -
Geological Institute,
Working group 
„Natural stones and weathering“		 Université de Limoges – 
Laboratoire de Génie Civil
Responsible scientist Prof. T. Abdallah Dr.-Ing. B. Fitzner Dr. J. Rosier

 

DEFINITION OF PS2

Study, characterization and analysis of degradation phenomena of limestones used at historical monuments in the center of Cairo

 

MONUMENT SELECTED FOR STUDIES

El-Merdani Mosque

For reasons of historical importance, characteristical building materials and typical damage situation of monuments in the center of Cairo, El-Merdani Mosque – also called Mosque of Altinbugha al-Maridani – has been selected for investigation within the frame of PS2. The monument is part of the Islamic center of Cairo, which has been inscribed into the UNESCO-list of World Cultural Heritage. El-Merdani Mosque was built in the 14th century as one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Cairo. Limestones from the Mokattam mountains near Cairo were used for construction. These limestones represent very characteristical building materials of historical Cairo monuments. The mosque was restored a century ago, but is again in need of intervention. Especially, damages in the lower parts of the monument are alarming. Salt-loading of these areas is visual. Comparable damage situation can be found at many further historical monuments in the center of Cairo.

 

WORKING PROGRAMME 

 

Monument anamnesis
Art-historical portrayal, monument description,  Location, environment  Building materials, geological background of natural stones 
Restoration history  Recent needs of intervention  Photodocumentation 

 

E-Merdani Mosque - damages at the lower part of the monument

 

IN SITU WORKS

1st field campaign - June 1999
2nd field campaign -Fabruary 2000
General survey of stone materials and damages 
 Selection of representative investigation areas for detailed studies,
preparation of plans for these pilot areas 
Monument mapping
Classification of lithotypes

Lithological mapping 		 Classification of degradation phenomena
according to type and intensity
Mapping of degradation phenomena 

 In situ measurements contributing to characterization of stone materials and stone degradation
Laser measurements Drilling resistance measurements Rebound hardness measurements
Ultrasonic measurements Conductivity measurements  Electric potential measurements 
Foundation analysis, geotechnical studies 
Studies on provenance of the stone materials, survey of quarries
Sampling for analyses of petrographic, geochemical and mechanical stone properties
Sampling at the monument Sampling in the quarries

 

LABORATORY STUDIES
Analyses of petrographical stone properties 
Analyses of geochemical stone properties 
Analyses of mechanical stone proporties 
Soil and ground water analyses 

 

 EVALUATION OF RESULTS 
Evaluation of degradation phenomena according to type, intensity and distribution (maps, quantitative evaluation) 
Quantitative rating of damages by means of damage categories and damage indices 
Petrographical, geochemical and mechanical characterization of the lithotypes 
Quantitative characterization of degradation profiles 
 Interrelations between degradation phenomena and profiles
Rating of stone quality / susceptibility to weathering 
Information on weathering factors and weathering processes
Weathering prognosis, prediction of damages
Evaluation of results with respect to future studies and monument preservation activities 
 Information on significance and transferability of results to other monuments
Critical review of applied investigation methods:appropriation of methods, requirements for application, information output, expenditure-benefit-ratio, complementation of methods