Comparison between Nanolime and Plexisol P550 as Two Consolidants for the Preservation of Humidity Saturated Monumental Limestone

The tomb of "Senusret-Ankh" in Lisht, which is considered to be one of the tombs that was built from limestone, was found next to the pyramid of the Senusret I in 1933. The limestone of the tomb is exposed to humidity that may reach 90% in some cases, leading to its damage and degradation. Two consolidants, nanolime and Plexisol P550, were carefully chosen to reinforce the humidity saturated limestone of the tomb. Three standard limestone samples coded A1, B1, and C1 were collected to investigate their mineralogical composition, textural, physical, and also mechanical properties. The samples were subject to three time intervals of humidity acceleration, ranging from one month to three months. The physical and mechanical properties were also measured after three months of humidity acceleration and after consolidation of the samples using nanolime and Plexisol P550. The obtained results are more promising for nanolime than for Plexisol P550 when both are applied to humidity saturated limestone such as that of the "Senusret-Ankh" tomb.