Implications of using meteorological records to assess the environmental risk of salt crystallization cycles in stone

Salt crystallization and dissolution cycles can significantly contribute to the degradation of stone, brick and mortar. One year of meteorological observations is used to evaluate the environmental risk using a threshold approach for a NaCl single salt. We illustrate the effect of boundary conditions such as the averaging timeframe and the minimum RH on the determined number of salt phase transitions, which are informed by droplet experiments. Additionally, the mitigating effect of crystallization within a porous substrate is explored using heat-air-moisture simulations. The results provide information on regional and seasonal differences in the environmental risk of salt weathering. Which in turn provide a better understanding of salt damage mechanisms over time to establish proper management strategies