Conservation Of Historic Buildings Research Articles

Conservation of historical buildings – The Omani–French museum as a case study

The conservation of historical buildings in developed countries has been very common, well carried out, and accumulated a wealth of experience. Conversely, the developing countries do not have this experience, qualified experts or professionals to handle the restoration process of historical buildings independently. So, unless the developing countries received comprehensive support from the related cultural societies and institutions in developed countries for the conservation of its historical heritage, many problems will arise and excessive sums of money will be incurred. The Omani–French museum is a case in point. Through discussing the renovation process of the aforesaid building- as a case study- this paper will highlight some critical issues such as the importance of involving an integrated team of highly qualified professionals. The precautions to maintain the well-being of the building against any further problems arising or required modifications must also be included in the mission of the said team. Authentic treatment of historical buildings must be highly considered, taking in consideration the new standards of rehabilitating process. Any modern techniques or plants needed must be added with great care to blend with the essence of the original environment.

Preliminary investigation of waterfront redevelopment in Chinese coastal port cities: the case of the eastern Dalian port areas

Since the turn of the millennium, waterfront redevelopment has been a new phenomenon in the coastal port cities of China and has become an important component of a global wave. In the context of urbanisation and globalisation, waterfront redevelopment provides not only various opportunities but also unprecedented challenges for the Chinese port cities. From a sustainability perspective, addressing the challenges requires thoroughly analysing the factors driving waterfront redevelopment and discovering the issues facing those coastal port cities. After reviewing the historical process of port development, based on the case of the eastern Dalian port areas, this paper attempts to explore the key factors behind the redevelopment and to discover the main issues facing Dalian cityport. The results show that forces at the global, national and local levels jointly drive redevelopment activities and that some national factors, such as aggressive real estate development in the past decade, play a remarkable role in this phenomenon. Consequently, timing on redevelopment, historic building conservation, reconnection of the waterfront to the city, and building a democratic decision-making process together challenge the sustainable future of redeveloped waterfronts in Dalian cityport and in other historic port cities in China.

On Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) Fatigue Damage of Historical Stone Buildings

The efficient conservation, restoration and protection of stone historical buildings could not be dissociated from the researches of mechanism of stone decays. While various mechanisms of stone degradations are considered and studied in previous studies, in this paper is focused on the cumulative damage modeling of wall stones due to the fatigue induced from quotidian fluctuations of thermal and hydric conditions. The thermoporomechanics theory of partially saturated media is used to describe the behavior of stone wall and its interaction with climatic conditions. Further, the effective stress concept firstly introduced by Terzaghi is extended for partially saturated media providing a quite powerful tool for design and analysis [. The behavior of a typical stone wall from Chambord castle (Center region of France) is then simulated, taking into account the heterogeneity of the stone-mortar contacts. The climatic conditions are introduced in the model as boundary conditions. The records of temperature and humidity from meteorological stations close to castle are used to establish time-variation of condition with a time resolution of 6 hours. From performed numerical analyses, it is shown that variation of temperature and relative humidity leads to the variation and fluctuation of effective stress in the stone, more intensively on the outdoor. The contact of stone with mortar is a natural stress concentration center, but even there the stress is much lower than tensile strength of the white tuffeau stone. The fatigue of the stone due to the stress fluctuation induced by the variations of meteorological conditions seems to be a major factor of stone degradation. A model is used to assess the cumulative damage of the stone wall as a function of the time.

Adaptation of New University Uses in Old Buildings: The Case of Rehabilitation of Listed Buildings in Limassol Cyprus for University Purposes

The practice of reusing an existing building is almost as old as building itself. Throughout centuries many different attitudes were followed for the revitalization of old buildings depending on the society and the values respected. According to the Venice Charter the conservation of historic buildings is always facilitated by socially useful purposes. Such purposes are desirable but should not change the character of the building. The revitalization of a number of listed buildings in Limassol, Cyprus, and their reuse for housing the Technological University of Cyprus is the object of this paper. The decision of introducing university uses in an historic center is unique for the island and leads to the revival of the old town, giving it new life and opportunities for redevelopment. The analysis of the various effects of implementation of new uses different from the original ones leads to broader discussions on the conversion of historic buildings within the philosophical framework of international principles for rehabilitation. It also raises questions relative to intervention, sustainable development, and reinforcement of existing structures in order to meet contemporary requirements.

Long-term behavior of lime–metakaolin pastes at ambient temperature and humid curing condition

This paper presents the reaction behavior of lime and metakaolin (MK) pastes submitted to long term aging at ambient temperature and relative humidity of 95±5%. The results presented are the basis for an extensive research pointing towards the formulation of lime based mortars for conservation of historic buildings, namely in humid environments.MK, when mixed with calcium hydroxide, in the presence of water, originates a set of major hydrated compounds, specifically, stratlingite, monocarboaluminate and calcium aluminate hydrate. The type of hydrated compounds formed is dependent on the lime/MK ratio, being some of them unstable over time. This instability can compromise the mechanical properties of lime–MK mortars. From this work different reaction kinetics with aging were perceived, being the best results in terms of the pozzolanic reaction obtained with 50% MK content. Pastes with less than 25% of MK also present reliable stability.

Conservation of historic buildings along the eroding coastline of Northern Jutland

The erosion of the western coast of Northern Jutland, in Denmark, has generated an extremely challenging environment for the preservation of architectural heritage. This phenomenon causes the loss ...

Study of the Use of Lime Plaster on Heritage Buildings’ in Malaysia: A Case Study in George Town, Penang

Awareness of the use of compatible materials in historical building conservation has resulted in a rebirth of lime technology and application. However, knowledge of the preparation of and procedures influencing the final quality of lime is still limited and disagreement regarding the proper use of lime in heritage building conservation still continues to exist. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the reasons for deterioration and to suggest possible treatments for external walls of heritage buildings in George Town, Penang. Since lime has been used on most external walls, it was chosen as the focus of this research. This study was conducted based on a qualitative method which drew upon a review of literature, visual observations, and interviews. From a pilot survey of 85 historical buildings in the core zone, it was found that from the use of lime based materials, the possible defects were caused by three factors: climatic change, air pollution, and maintenance issues. This study focuses on the use of lime plaster as well as issues that could arise from its improper use.

Implementation of Quality Management System for Historical Building Conservation

The main objectives of this study are twofold. Firstly, to identify the implementation of ISO 9001 procedures being used as references for conservation works and the development of Quality Management System (QMS) guidelines. Data were solicited from three (3) conservation areas. The analysis involved of descriptive approach and statistical methods. The findings revealed that QMS is not structurally established, implemented and enforced as part of conservation practice in Malaysia. From the findings, the authors hope to give clear perception to the reader on current preservation practice and the existence of QMS with reference to ISO 9001 for future conservation mechanism.

Hydrophobizing coatings for cultural heritage. A detailed study of resin/stone surface interaction

Conservation of historical buildings is an important issue and the environmental conditions seriously affect the monument’s stones. The protection of cultural heritage buildings and monuments by surface treatment with polymers is a common practice due to their ability to form a protective layer on the monument’s surface as well as to control the transport of different fluids from the surface to the monument’s interior. In this work, three different substrates were used: Carrara marble, Botticino limestone, and Angera stone. A commercially available Si-based resin (Alpha®SI30) was used as protective agent to improve the hydrophobicity features of the different tested materials. The surface properties of the coating and the relative interaction with the adopted stones were studied using different techniques such as contact angle measurements, electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy.

Introduction to the Stone Cycle and the Conservation of Historic Buildings

This Thematic Set of papers relating to the life cycle of building stone was initiated by a call for papers in order to better recognize the contribution that the disciplines, and practitioners, of engineering geology and hydrogeology make to the conservation of historical buildings, which is intrinsically multidisciplinary. The call for papers particularly focused upon the issues of different stone types used in historical buildings, as well as the performance, durability and conservation of stone in historical settings. The response was overwhelming, with many more abstracts submitted than could possibly be published in the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology ( QJEGH ). Accordingly, the papers were divided into two sets, with one set destined to appear in QJEGH as described herein and the second set to appear in a Geological Society Special Publication (Cassar et al. 2014). The presence of a particular paper in one set or the other is not a reflection on quality, but merely a reflection of the need to divide the papers into two sets each of which reflects subtly differing themes. History has been written in stone, from prehistoric monuments to modern-day buildings, and all types of stone, limestones and sandstones, granites and marbles, have been utilized to build, to clad, and to decorate. The buildings that are symbols of a city, a region, or a country are mostly built of stone. We immediately think of England when we see an image of Stonehenge; the Acropolis symbolizes Athens; the Coliseum Rome; Machu Picchu Peru; and the Taj Mahal India. The immense varieties and diverse properties of building stone, its workability and its (im)permanence have been observed and studied since time immemorial. Vitruvius, in the first century BC, writing in the Ten Books on Architecture , Chapter VII (Stone), says the following: ‘The stone in quarries …

Sourcing stone for the conservation and repair of historical buildings in Britain

Stone for the construction of buildings and monuments has been locally quarried from most parts of Britain’s lithologically diverse geological succession starting about 3500 years ago. Each part of the geological column, from the Precambrian to Quaternary, has yielded stone for building, providing a colourful palette for Britain’s stone architecture and monuments. For those involved in conserving these structures this diversity of stone types has become an increasing problem as many of the original quarries have long since stopped working and the stones have disappeared from the marketplace. This lack of an adequate range of indigenous stones suitable for conservation repair and for sympathetic new-build projects is a continuing concern for heritage organizations, property owners and developers in Britain. There are a number of ways in which this problem is being addressed. It is clearly important to demonstrate the scale of the problem by collating sufficient information to identify those stones (and, therefore, those stone structures) most under threat. Although some vernacular stones were often used widely others appear in only a small number of buildings. A national database of all indigenous stone sources and an assessment of their extent of use is, therefore, essential. Subsequent analysis of the data gathered will then allow those stones that are of critical concern to be identified, which might generate sufficient interest and economic potential for quarry operators to consider reopening sites for new stone production. This contribution is an attempt to give an overview of the former extent of the building stone resources of Britain to illustrate the magnitude of the current problems of stone supply.

Testing of Sydney dimension sandstone for use in the conservation of heritage buildings

This paper deals with the scientific assessment of the physical properties of sandstone used in the conservation of Sydney's historic heritage sandstone buildings. The local Hawkesbury Sandstone has been widely used for all manner of constructions since the early days of the first settlement. In the nineteenth century, dimension sandstone quarries existed all over the Sydney region, and the demand for the stone was great. During this time, a true ‘freestone’ known as ‘yellow block’ sandstone, in which bedding planes were absent, was quarried extensively. This sandstone is also known as a ‘self-colouring’ sandstone, where the rock, although grey when quarried, turns a yellow–brown after a few months exposure to the atmosphere. It can be easily carved and was eminently suitable for the ornate Victorian architecture of the time. There are very few quarries within the Sydney region today capable of producing ‘yellow block’ sandstone. Whenever possible, sandstone from suitable building excavations, particularly on the Pyrmont Peninsula, is used for this work. Conservation work is extremely expensive and the building elements that most need replacement, the overhanging and decorative elements, are usually those that cost the most. It is essential that the most durable replacement stone be selected. Thus, a strict regime of scientific testing is used for any major conservation project, in order to determine the physical properties of possible replacement stone. This is the province of the geologist and involves visual observation in the quarry or excavation, which is a simple, cost-effective means of weeding out poor quality stones, followed by laboratory engineering tests to establish the physical parameters of a sandstone and finally, petrographic analysis. The results of such tests, combined with careful sampling, ensure the best possible quality of replacement material.

From values to narrative: a new foundation for the conservation of historic buildings

Since its inception, modern conservation has derived the significance of a heritage asset from the identification and prioritisation of distinct classes of values. Different systems of values have been proposed, and the focus of the debate has been on the competing merits of such systems, with little attention paid to the genealogy of their theoretical foundation. If such values-based systems were ever appropriate, they are increasingly out of step with other areas of cultural life, and the resulting tensions are particularly manifested when considering change to historic buildings and environments. The currently under-theorised state of conservation is positively harmful both to the conservation professions and to the buildings we seek to protect. It is increasingly urgent therefore that we understand conservation’s philosophical origins, that we question the application of a late-nineteenth-century modernist approach to culture, and that we seek a better theoretical foundation.

Evaluation for the conservation of historic buildings

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether there are significant differences between laymen's, professionals' and policy makers' evaluations of the conservation of historic buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe research began with interview surveys using a sample of laymen and professionals in the built environment and it examined their evaluation standards of a sample of 25 historic buildings in Hong Kong. The research also used the controversial Queen's Pier case to examine the extent to which different preferences of conservation between laymen and professionals and policy makers has led to its conservation campaign.FindingsThe results indicate that laymen and professional groups evaluate historic buildings based on slightly different criteria. The research also reveals that their preference for what is worth conserving is different from policy makers. The debate over the conservation of the Queen's Pier illustrates a wide range of issues other than differences of preference that may have stimulated the campaign.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size of the respondents and the sample buildings are limited due to manpower resource and funding. Further study can expand the sampling size.Originality/valueThe study is original research which illustrates the differences between laymen's, professionals' and policy makers' evaluation criteria and assessment of historic buildings. It recommends a greater understanding of all stakeholders' interests in heritage conservation and the incorporation of the public's view into legislative and administrative procedures in designating and listing historic buildings.

Utilization of tie-beams for strengthening stone masonry arches in Nabataean construction

This paper attempts to demonstrate the use of timber ties in the construction of stone masonry arches in Jordan from the late first century BC onwards. It investigates the techniques used and relates them to present-day structural design. In Nabataean architecture, tie-beams were used for strengthening of masonry structures and, in particular, to strengthen masonry arches and vaults against their most critical failure mechanism. The tie-beams introduce tension resistance. This fact has two important consequences: the capacity of the arch itself is increased, and the lateral thrust transmitted to the piers is reduced, thereby increasing the strength of the arch–pier system. Collapse of an arch typically occurs when no tie-rods or tie-beams are used and the piers are unable to bear the thrust of the arch. While the first effect has been stressed by the existing research, less attention has been paid to the second effect, which nevertheless is very important for practical applications. In this paper, the main methods are critical analysis of archaeological information enriched by structural evaluation of the strength of such systems. From such an approach, reliable hypotheses can be made concerning the design and construction process. The effect of bonding a tie-beam to the intrados of a semi-circular arch on the lateral thrust is evaluated analytically using the non-linear finite element package ABAQUS software (HKS, version 6.5). The results are analysed based on the determination of the thrust line. This study concludes some recommendations for the conservation of historical buildings in seismic regions, based on a thorough understanding of their structure, construction features and materials, which may help to prevent earthquake-induced damage to buildings taking into account traditional and modern materials and techniques.

Contestation and negotiation of heritage conservation in Luang Prabang, Laos

This paper reports on the findings of a study into the interactions between entrepreneurs and heritage regulators in the conservation of historic buildings in the UNESCO listed town centre of Luang Prabang, Laos. Based on interviews and surveys conducted with property owners and business owners in this heritage zone, and with a representative of the town's heritage regulation authority, the research investigates the relation between enterprises, the heritage environment they occupy, and the Heritage House – the heritage regulation body that determines the way in which they may use and adapt their buildings. Issues include perceived benefits and constraints brought by preservation policies and practices, as well as changes in property usage and decline of traditional ways of life as spinoff effects of UNESCO listing, which threaten the town's intangible heritage. Entrepreneurs and regulators each perceive the other stakeholder group as a source of constraints and challenges. The paper proposes that understanding heritage in terms of collaborative, rather than adversarial, processes, could contribute to more socially sustainable conservation practice, and makes recommendations for institutional and organizational changes that could support such a culture of negotiation and collaboration in heritage conservation in Luang Prabang.

Diagnosis for Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation of Historical Buildings in Lima, Peru

The city of Lima, the capital of Peru, was founded on January 18, 1535, and played a leading role in the history of the Americas from 1542, when king Carlos V established the vice royalty of Peru, until the middle of the 18th century. In 1988, UNESCO declared the historic center of Lima a World Heritage Site for its originality and high concentration of historic monuments constructed at the time of the Spanish presence and at the beginning of the Republican era. The architecture of buildings corresponds in general to typical Hispano-American baroque of the 17th and 18th centuries. Since its founding, the city has suffered many earthquakes that have severely and adversely affected historic buildings. Reconstruction work has been done keeping the originality of buildings. This study starts first with a general diagnosis of problems concerning the city and its buildings. A survey for preliminary evaluation of the structural condition of buildings is then planned. This evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of historic buildings at the historic center of Lima represents the basic study that is necessary to initiate detailed investigation for the preservation and conservation of these historic buildings. The study intends to establish a general guideline for vulnerability evaluation of historic buildings that could be applied to the evaluation of other historic cities of Peru.

Undrawable Architecture: Heritage Buildings and Digital Tectonic

AbstractTraditionally architecture in Asia was not graphically represented or formalised, and relied on received knowledge being passed down from generation to generation. Stylianos Dritsas and Kang Shua Yeo describe the Heritage Buildings and Digital Tectonic research project they have been undertaking at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) , exploring the potential of a start‐to‐end digital design process for historical building conservation.

Effects of surface energies of biomimetic materials for stone conservation on reinforcement properties

The conservation of historic stone buildings and sculptures is recently receiving growing attention and becoming a focus of research. However, it is difficult to estimate the effects of stone conservation, especially consolidating treatments. In this work, some biomimetic materials for stone conservation were prepared. The interaction between the protective materials and stone substrate was researched by testing their surface energy. Some thermodynamic parameters, including interfacial tension (γ fm ) and work of adhesion (W a ), were calculated. The effects of interaction between the materials and substrate on reinforcement properties were investigated. The results show that the strength of materials’ adhesion to a solid surface could be better estimated from the value of W a /γ fm . It is helpful not only to indirectly determine the mechanical properties of the reinforcing agent but also to design some materials for stone conservation on a purpose not on a rather hit-or-miss basis.

Phase and Microstructural Characterization of Lime-MK Blended Mixes

Metakaolin (MK) is nowadays a well-known pozzolanic material used in cement-based materials. Its benefits are related to its great pozzolanic reactivity when compared with some others pozzolanic materials, like fly ash or ground-granulated blast furnace slag. When MK reacts with calcium hydroxide, cementitious products are formed. It is known that the main phases produced during its pozzolanic reaction at ambient temperature are calcium silicate hydrates (CSH), stratlingite (C2ASH8) and calcium aluminate hydrate (C4AH13). However, in literature there are several discrepancies regarding these phases stability, namely the transformation of stratlingite and C4AH13 into hydrogarnet (C3AH6) at long term. The consequences of that instability are a reduction in the porosity and a loss of microstructural strength that can induce a complete material degradation. The MK is a material with great potential in Portugal, since there is a large abundance of kaolinitic clays, however its development is not yet achieved. In order to answer this demand a research project was initiated with the aim of optimizing the production of MK in Portugal and enhancing the durability of aerial calcitic lime mortars, to be mainly used in conservation and restoration of historical buildings. With the objective of studying the compounds formed in lime/MK and their stability during time, we have prepared different lime/MK ratio pastes (molar ratios). These lime/MK pastes were stored at saturated conditions (RH > 95%) and 23 ± 2 °C temperature being analysed at several ages by TGA-DTA, XRD and SEM-EDS. In this paper the results obtained are presented and discussed.