ASSESSING WEATHERING DAMAGE TO HELANKOU ROCK ART BY INTEGRATING MORPHOLOGICAL AND IN-SITU PERFORMANCE DATA

Assessing weathering damage to rock art requires a holistic understanding of physical degradation mechanisms and their environmental drivers. Static morphological assessments focus on visible symptoms of damage, whereas dynamic performance-based assessments examine intrinsic properties. However, these assessments remain disconnected. Moreover, traditional survey methods reflect the extent of weathering effects but fail to effectively evaluate stability. Therefore, this study used an integrated approach combining morphological observations and in-situ nondestructive performance data to evaluate the deterioration of Helankou rock art. Leeb hardness testing, thermal imaging, moisture measurements, and ultrasonic wave velocity analyses were conducted. Correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between the structural deterioration and internal rock quality. In addition, a dynamic deterioration model was developed for the temporal evolution of weathering. Furthermore, multiple-criteria decision-making methods were used to quantify the relative importance of weathering criteria. The results revealed significant mechanical weakening in areas subject to splitting and blistering associated with internal voids and fissures. Thermal and hydrological anomalies associated with these defects accelerated weathering through increased thermomechanical stress and moisture retention. The rock quality index was validated as an effective metric for quantifying deterioration extent. The results identified the progressive evolution from latent fissures to active splitting and irreversible delamination. Splitting was the most critical hazard, which could guide future conservation prioritization. This study highlights the importance of continuous environmental monitoring and advanced diagnostic techniques for supporting sustainable rock art preservation. Moreover, this integrated methodology provides a transferable framework for assessing and managing rock art deterioration.