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Effective restoration measures are required to protect earthen sites in historical heritage locations. In this study, sticky rice paste was added to in situ site soils and the water resistance and disintegration of the modified soils were investigated. Further, the influences of freeze–thaw, dry–wet, and Na2SO4-corrosion cycles on the compressive strength of the modified soil and its morphology were assessed. The results obtained indicate that the modified soil exhibited the highest water resistance and strength after 30 freeze–thaw and dry–wet cycles and 20 Na2SO4-corrosion cycles. This work is expected to provide future guidance on improved restoration and protection of earthen sites.

Calcined ginger nuts admixed by fly ash and quartz sand (CGN-(F+S)) has been validated to be basically compatible to earthen sites as an anchor grout. Accelerated ageing tests including water stability test, temperature and humidity cycling test, soundness test and alkali resistance test are conducted with the objective to further research the property changes of CGN-(F+S) grout. Density, surface hardness, water penetration capacity, water permeability capacity, soluble salt, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) spectrum of these samples have been tested after accelerated ageing tests. The results show that densities of samples decrease, surface hardness, water penetration capacity and water permeability capacity of samples increase generally. Besides, soluble salt analysis, SEM and EDS results well corroborate the changes. Based on the results it can be concluded that property changes are most serious after temperature and humidity cycling test, followed by water stability, soundness and alkali resistance test in sequence. But in general, CGN-(F+S) still has good durability.

As one of the largest and best-preserved Buddhist art treasure houses in the world, the Mogao Grottoes attracts a great number of tourists from all over the world. With an increasing number...