Diagnostic approach for quantifying the soiling level and the aging of limestone façade

• L-type Schmidt hammer for detecting the hardness of limestone façade.
• Successive impact at the same location using the Schmidt hammer for detecting the degree of soiling.
• Transition Impact Number related to the age of the façade.
• Soiling Factor for detecting the accumulation of deposits on building façade.

This paper addresses a new approach for quantifying soiling and contamination of limestone façades based on contaminated surface hardness following multiple impacts of the Schmidt hammer plunger at a given point. The Schmidt rebound hammer test is a quick and inexpensive test for determining surface hardness. Accordingly, a number of residential buildings, in Amman, incorporating limestone façades of different ages and levels of soiling have been selected for testing. Finally, correlations between limestone hardness and Environmental impacts are drawn based on the soiling level or age of the façade. The results obtained demonstrate that it is possible to thoroughly characterize the level of contamination and cleaning requirements depending on the successive impact of Schmidt hammer on the same location to get a Transition Impact Number (TIN). Consequently, this could be significant in evaluating building cladding quality for cleaning or maintenance decision-making as it reflects the degree of contamination and age of the façade.