Research Methods Adopted for Evaluation of the Condition of the Building Materials Used in Construction of the Masonry Structures on the Site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim

Abstract

The article shows the extent of work carried out within the framework of the project Research on the development of methods of maintenance, security and strengthening the structure of objects, elements of their finish and substrate, taking into account the statics and physics of the buildings within the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oswiecim, as part of the multi-annual program of comprehensive, systematic preservation activities aimed at preserving the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial. The project is funded by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.The aim of the project was to create a base of information on the actual condition of the existing facilities and, on that basis, to develop preservation methods and ways to prevent their further destruction while maintaining their current character.The article presents the results of the research into the condition of the structural materials done – as an example – on one of the elements of the camp technical infrastructure – the wastewater treatment station. It also describes how the research itself was done. The scope included finding out the compressive strength of the masonry, bricks and mortar as well as determining the content of sulphate, chloride and nitrate salts both in the bricks and mortar. The article discusses the results of macroscopic and microscopic observations done on bricks and mortar using scanning microscopy.