Evaluating the deterioration effects of building stones using NDT: the Küçükköy Church, Cappadocia Region, central Turkey

Many churches have been constructed during the last two millennia in the Cappadocia region of Central Anatolia. Among these buildings, the Küçükköy Church, constructed in 1834, is distinguishable from other churches by its icons and distinctive roof. However, this monument is in a state of rapid deterioration due to its derelict status, local atmospheric conditions, and the geological characteristics of the stones used in the structure. It is therefore important to determine deterioration status and the amount of deterioration of each building stone to facilitate the sustainable preservation of this monument. In recent years, non-destructive tests (NDT) have been commonly used to evaluate the detrioration status of such historic buildings. In the study reported here, we conducted laboratory studies on stone samples and performed in situ NDT (P-wave velocity test, Schmidt hammer rebound [SHR] test, and surface moisture measurement test) to determine the deterioration status of building stones used in the Küçükköy Church. The lithological characteristics of building stones are known to be the most important parameters in the deterioration process. We found that the deterioration effects were most advanced in those building stones which had properties similar to one type of andesite, as demonstrated by high voids and low P-wave velocity and SHR values. The benefits of NDT is that they are repeatable and that reliable results are obtained rapidly and economically.