The conservation and repair of historical masonry ruins based on laboratory analyses

Abstract

Historical masonry structures that remained under the ground due to settlement have to be revealed and preserved because of their historical values. The study focuses on assessment of wall ruin from early Byzantine period and the arched vault ruin from Ottoman period. In this study, the properties and problems of the materials as mortars and woods were analyzed, which were gathered from the ruin structure – wall, vault, brick pipe and bonding wood. The study consists of the on-site examination, laboratory analyses and application proposals about the wall ruin from early Byzantine era and arched vault ruin from Ottoman era which were unearthed during the re-construction of education building. In the first stage of study, representative samples taken from different locations of the masonry ruin were exposed to chemical- and mineralogical-analyses, and the content of samples were determined. In the second stage, the data of analysis were assessed, then the conservation and repair proposals were submitted for implementing on the masonry ruin. By proposed materials for the conservation, it will not be occurred mechanical stresses due to the original and new repair mortar- and wood-materials have the similar physical and mechanical properties. Thus, this will lead to long and healthy life to the original materials of the ruin structure.