Experimental Study on the Behaviour of Adobe Material Treated Through Ethyl Silicate: The Case Study of Mes Aynak Archaeological Site (Afghanistan)

This work summarised the results of an experimental campaign conducted to characterise the earthen material of adobe taken from the archaeological site of Mes Aynak and to evaluate the compatibility and mechanical effectiveness of a surface treatment based on ethyl silicate. The main mineralogical composition through XRD diffractometry analysis, bulk volume calculated by hydrostatic balance, and grain size distribution through a sieving analysis were determined to characterise the historical adobe. The compatibility of the KSE 300 HV treatment with the earth material is evaluated from a chemical-physical and mechanical point of view, comparing the results of the tests carried out on both specimens with and without KSE 300 HV treatment. Uniaxial compression tests for the determination of compressive strength, elastic modulus and ductility parameters, water vapour permeability test and colour analysis were carried out, and the results obtained from specimens with and without treatment were reported, compared, and commented on.