The downtown of Polignano a Mare lies on a small promontory characterized by a carbonate cliff ranging between 13 and 22 m height constituted by Calcare di Bari at the base and by Calcarenite di Gravina at the top. The cliff is vertical or locally overhanging and continues 2-5 m below sea level. The coastal stretch studied is characterised by five wide caves and a series of smaller cavities, different in shape and height along the cliff face, even below sea level. At place, the cliff is prone to instability phenomena due to a complex geostructural setting and sea wave action. In this study, we present a new multidirectional method for assessing cliff instability susceptibility at a given scale (CISA, Cliff Instability Susceptibility Assessment). The method is based on the “expert evaluation” approaches and is completed by morphological analysis, morphoevolutive models, geomechanical surveys and bythe estimate of the critical heights for vertical cliffs using the lower bound theorem of limit analysis. The coastal stretch was divided in 8 sectors based on morphological affinity and then 23 incidence parameters were considered and determined. These parameters were divided in four categories: geomechanical (12), morphological (5), sea-wave (5) and anthropogenic (1). For each parameter 5 classes of rating were proposed; the cliff classification, in terms of instability susceptibility, was obtain from the total rating which represents the summation of the single rating of the individual parameter.

In this paper a limestone variety belonging to the Butrinti district (Southern Albania) was studied. It is a good quality quarried rock which is utilised for construction and ornamental purposes. Physical and mechanical features were determined in order to classify and evaluate the technical performances of these rocks above all in terms of thermophysical properties.

This paper deals with the effects of thermal stresses on selected carbonate rocks used as dimension stones. They are Mesozoic calcareous and dolomitic rocks cropping out in Apulia (southern Italy) that, for their physico-mechanical and aesthetic properties, have always been finding a large application both as ornamental stones and as simple construction materials; their use is attested not only in Italy, in works of archaeological, historical and artistic interest too. The cause–effect relationships of thermal degradation were studied by means of an artificial accelerated ageing test, in order to provide a perspective about the decay of carbonate stones due to diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations, as well as thermal shocks during events of fire development. The stone samples were subjected to thermal cycles in a muffle furnace, ranging from 100 to 700 °C; after each cycle, several non-destructive and semi-destructive tests were carried out: mass and volume measurements, mercury intrusion porosimetry, sclerometer tests, ultrasonic tests, thin-section observations and determination of chromatic alterations through image analysis and Munsell charts method. In this way, the qualitative and quantitative modifications induced in fabric, physical and mechanical properties were discussed. The results highlight the fundamental role of depositional and diagenetic fabric that, together with mineralogical composition, represents the most significant discriminating factor in the response of the stone to thermal stresses.