The Environmental Factors Affecting the Archaeological Buildings in Egypt "Iii Deterioration by Severe Seismic Hazards"

Abstract

This paper is a diagnostic study and it is the 3 rd in a series of scientific articles which investigate the environmental factors that affect the archaeological buildings all over the country (Egypt). It explores the Nektenebo II temple in Bahbit El-Hagar, which is one of the most significant archeological sites in Pharaonic Egypt. It is particularly selected to assess and evaluate the deterioration conditions, which affect its components. The temple has an aggressive harmful deteriorated appearance because of severe seismic actions, especially earthquakes and unstable lands. Thus, the site is investigated via close inspection and a complimentary survey (CICS) to check the decay conditions that resulted from the severe effects of seismic actions. Moreover, it investigates some samples collected from the aforementioned monumental site using certain techniques, such as PM, SEM-EDX and XRD, in addition to define the effective physio-mechanical properties to identify the deterioration products caused by secondary environmental factors. The results asserted that the deteriorated appearances that dominate the study area are mechanical destruction (cracks and micro fissures) as well as other deterioration symptoms, such as salt crystallization, soiling and crusting, as well as crumbling and scaling.