Mechanisms of rock cracking on Huashan rock paintings

Abstract

The rock cracking, inducing rock flaking and topling, on the limestone cliff with Rock Painting is a dangerous threaten for the relics conservation. A detailed field investigation and statistics have been carried out. The geometrical sizes, shapes, fillings have been recorded. There are four sets of fractures control the broken. Non-destructive tests have been accomplished in situ for evaluating the property of the rock of the painting cliff. The temperature sensors were installed on and inside the rock cliff for studying the heat field of the cliff and cracked rock influenced by sunlight. Shear and tension stresses induced by the temperature fluctuation are main damage agents for rock cracking. Surface flow is another important threatens to the relics conservation.