Compatibility and durability of concrete-stone system: The desert masonry at Taliesin West

Desert masonry is a construction method developed by Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, presenting a distinctive approach in which stones are embedded directly into concrete without intermediary bonding agents. This study focuses on two primary components of the system—face stone and concrete—whose direct contact and exposure to environmental conditions make them critical to the system’s performance. Unlike conventional stone veneers that rely on adhesives or mechanical anchors, desert masonry offers a distinct case for understanding the behavior of stone-concrete interactions. To evaluate performance, commercial quartzite samples were selected to represent the face stone and subjected to accelerated weathering and freeze-thaw cycles based on ASTM standards. Shear tests were then conducted to assess the interfacial bond strength between the stone and concrete. Results demonstrate that environmental exposure, particularly through thermal and moisture cycling, has a significant weakening effect on the stone-concrete bond. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and protecting dry-bond veneer systems in exposed settings and contribute to broader discussions in architectural conservation regarding the mechanical behavior and long-term performance of unconventional stone veneer construction.

Author dc:creator

• Zhao, Siqi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Matero, Frank

• Historic Preservation and Conservation

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/61157

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.upenn.edu:20.500.14332/61157