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Proceedings of 2 sessions sponsored by the Rock Mechanics Committee of The Geo-Institute of the ASCE, Minneapolis, MN, October 5-8 1997. Buildings and historical monuments composed of natural stone are subjected through time to mechanical loads, temperature variations, and chemical attack, which may lead to degradation of the material. Degradation is manifested by damage in the form of microcracks. The papers in this proceedings discuss quality assessment of natural stone and damage diagnosis as the first stage of planning remedial action for restoration. Emphasis is placed on case histories and successful experimental procedures for the various disciplines working in the area of stone degradation. Covered are efficient, economic, and safe restoration and preservation policies, in addition to procedures related to new construction. Topics include modem dimension stone quarrying and fabrication technologies mechanical characterization of natural building stone constitutive models for stone deterioration natural stone described as a microcracked solid laboratory evaluation of building stone weathering assuring the durability of stone facades in new construction