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← HistoryDuring the Byzantine era, which degradation of mosaic composition risked structural weakening of larger installations?
A)Tesserae spalling by differential expansion✓
B)Grout erosion from acid rain
C)Gold leaf oxidation by moisture
D)Smalti staining by organic binders
💡 Explanation
Differential thermal expansion between glass tesserae and the substrate induces compressive stresses, causing spalling because shear stress overcomes adhesion rather than direct chemical attack; therefore cohesive zones weaken, which causes detachment risks increase greatly.
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