B-Tech. Molise University Faculty of Engineering Termoli Italy
ABSTRACT:
Shallow groundwater is an important factor contributing to the deterioration of the pharaonic monuments in Egypt.
The construction of the high dam meant that large amounts of water were provided for irrigation of agricultural land. The irrigation has at many locations led to a higher average groundwater level than before the construction of the high dam. Shallow groundwater enables water to move by capillary forces from the groundwater zone in the soil under and adjacent to the monuments and in the monuments themselves. The capillary rise and transport depend on the pore size of the soil and the rock of the monuments, mainly sandstone. The driving force of the transport is the high evaporation at the ground surface and at the surfaces of the monuments. Salts are dissolved in the water and enriched at surfaces, where they crystallize. The salts cause discoloring and due to the expansion during crystallization the building material may be crushed and the surfaces deteriorated.
All the archaeological sites are among the pharaonic monumental sites affected by the shallow groundwater levels.
By lowering the groundwater levels the capillary transport of water can be prevented.
The factors affecting shallow groundwater not only the level of water table of the Nile but also the drainage water from wrong irrigation systems from the cultivated lands surrounding the archaeological sites. Another factor is he wrong plumping system for the neighborhood attached to the monuments. The last two factors are more dangerous because of the high salts ration they contain. |
