Wind speed and Salt simulation tests: What is really needed?

Laboratory simulation tests, where salt damage is accelerated within a short period of time through different procedures, yield vital information regarding salt crystallisation and distribution processes. However, due to the uncertainty of the actual salt damage process at the site and the wide range of variables involved in this process, the results of salt simulation tests vary significantly from one study to another. The commonly used salt simulation tests vary not only in their procedures and materials, but also in the environmental conditions used. Each of these procedures has its strong argument. Consequently, the selection of a simulation procedure to evaluate the wind speed factor in salt damage generally and in salt damage at Petra monuments particularly was a challenging task. The simulation test of the wind speed effect on salt crystallisation and distribution started with a salt crystallisation test in an environmentally controlled chamber. Due to the technical failure of the chamber, a modified salt crystallisation test based on the BRE (Building Research Establishment) simulation test was used as an alternative. The later simulation test is described in great depth in this paper. Finally, a comprehensive approach was formed for what is needed from salt simulation tests.