CONS555 DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MATERIAL DECAY IN HISTORIC STRUCTURES

Course Objectives

This course aims to give an introduction to historic building materials, weathering processes, decay factors and diagnostic techniques to assess the condition and problems of building materials with regards to their conservation. By the end of the course, students from different backgrounds will have a basic understanding of:

• building materials and their performance characteristics;
• factors affecting the compatibility and durability of historic building materials;
• weathering forms and processes;
• methods used for diagnosis and control of material decay in historic building materials;
• conservation techniques in relation to deterioration problems, environmental conditions, microclimatic characteristics, past conservation interventions, components and/or systems of historic buildings and monuments.

Course Content

Introduction to the weathering processes of historic materials and the structure with emphasis on stone, brick, mortar, plaster, timber and metal. Diagnostic studies on materials decay and their relationship with the building systems. The use of analytical data for diagnosis and conservation. Repair and conservation treatments for stone, brick, mortar, plaster, timber and metal.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students are expected to:

• differentiate and identify traditional building materials and material combinations;
• have an understanding of performance properties of the materials;
• be familiar with the analytical techniques used for the characterization of the historic building materials; 
• recognize the decay forms and their possible sources;
• relate weathering processes and the decay mechanisms with the environmental conditions;
• have a background about the repair materials and treatment methods in conjunction with compatibility, durability, repeatability and re-treatability criteria.
• have an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of conservation projects.