Protection Of Historic Buildings Research Articles

Autonomous damage segmentation and measurement of glazed tiles in historic buildings via deep learning

AbstractDetecting and measuring the damage on historic glazed tiles plays an important role in the maintenance and protection of historic buildings. However, the current visual inspection method for identifying and assessing superficial damage on historic buildings is time and labor intensive. In this article, a novel two‐level object detection, segmentation, and measurement strategy for large‐scale structures based on a deep‐learning technique is proposed. The data in this study are from the roof images of the Palace Museum in China. The first level of the model, which is based on the Faster region‐based convolutional neural network (Faster R‐CNN), automatically detects and crops two types of glazed tile photographs from 100 roof images (2,488 × 3,264 pixels). The average precision values (AP) for roll roofing and pan tiles are 0.910 and 0.890, respectively. The cropped images are used to form a dataset for training a Mask R‐CNN model. The second level of the model, which is based on Mask R‐CNN, automatically segments and measures the damage based on the cropped historic tile images; the AP for the damage segmentation is 0.975. Based on Mask R‐CNN, the predicted pixel‐level damage segmentation result is used to quantitatively measure the morphological features of the damage, such as the damage topology, area, and ratio. To verify the performance of the proposed method, a comparative study was conducted with Mask R‐CNN and a fully convolutional network. This is the first attempt at employing a two‐level strategy to automatically detect, segment, and measure large‐scale superficial damage on historic buildings based on deep learning, and it achieved good results.

Automatic damage detection of historic masonry buildings based on mobile deep learning

Vision-based manual inspection technology for identifying and assessing superficial damage of historic buildings is time- and labor-consuming. To overcome these limits, this paper proposed a novel automatic damage detection technique using Faster R-CNN model based on ResNet101 framework to detect two categories of damage (efflorescence and spalling) for historic masonry structures. 33 different cases were studied, and the best case shown an average precision (AP) of 0.999 and 0.900 for efflorescence and spalling damage respectively, with a 0.950 mean AP. Moreover, an Internet Protocol (IP) webcam damage detection system combined with workstation was developed to detect the damage in real-time, and an automatic damage detection system based on smartphones was developed, which can realize real-time damage detection of brick masonry buildings. In addition, two on-site experiments were carried out on real masonry buildings to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the system. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the proposed method was considerably automatic, efficient, and reliable for damage detection of historic masonry buildings and, ultimately, contributing to the management and protection of historic buildings.

Thinking against Heritage: speculative development and emancipatory politics in the City of London

ABSTRACTWhat does a political conceptualisation of the relationship between urban development and heritage involve? Against the widespread idea that there is a conflict between densification and the protection of historic buildings and sites in the City of London, I show that a conservative heritage discourse promotes the construction of speculative towers. Arguing against a City that is privately owned, self-competing and socially homogeneous, I develop a democratic understanding of history that contests an essentialist reading of the city and challenges the idea that speculative developments direct attention to and visually enhance historic landmarks. Aligning historical analysis with political critique, I draw on the work of Walter Benjamin and Michel Foucault and discuss notions of “historical events” and “cultural treasures” in order to think against the prevailing speculative logic in the city.

Vibration Protection of Historical Buildings Located near the Lines of Urban Rail Transport

Besides the underground, the second common type of public transport is the tram. Tram lines in Moscow city center, as well as in other cities in Russia, are being renovated and reconstructed. Vibration of the railway track travels through the ground to the foundation of buildings adjacent to tram lines, causing high vibration and structure-borne noise levels inside them. The article presents result of a vibration isolation system analysis and design for a building, located in 37m of the two-lanes tram line. Prior to design procedure, field measurements were made and vibration levels inside the building were recorded. The vibration isolation system design included calculation of soil pressure on the isolation pad and subsequent estimation of the elastomeric pad dynamic modulus. Using this data, the eigenfrequecny of vibration isolation system was derived and its efficiency calculated. After the system maintenance, measurements were made to check the system’s performance. During the measurements acceleration of isolated part of the building and the ground surface were synchronously measured and transfer function derived.

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment and Loss Estimation of an Urban District of Timisoara

The seismic risk evaluation of built-up areas is associated to the level of earthquake hazard, building vulnerability and level of exposure. It is well known that the large-scale vulnerability assessment is a very important topic for the protection of historical buildings and the mitigation of effects of natural phenomena on the built-up. In 2020 Timisoara will be the Capital of European Culture and, therefore, the knowledge of the number of unusable and collapsed buildings under possible earthquakes is a crucial point to plan suitable future intervention strategies from structural and urban points of view. Based on these premises, the proposed research is conducted in collaboration with the University of Naples “Federico II” with the main purpose to focus on the seismic vulnerability evaluation of buildings located within an urban-sector of Timisoara through the EMS-98 macro-seismic approach. First of all, the typological vulnerability classes of buildings according to the RISK-UE method have been defined in order to classify them from typological and structural viewpoints. Subsequently, a vulnerability form appropriately conceived for masonry aggregates has been filled for the study area buildings and the typological fragility functions have been derived for them aiming at identifying the most vulnerable constructions. Finally, parametric analysis has been carried out by varying the seismic magnitude and site-source distance in order to estimate the seismic loss estimation under earthquakes.

Extenics: A new approach for the Design, Reconstruction and Renewal of Traditional Villages

The need to conserve and preserve historical buildings and environments is prevalent in architectural discourse. On the other hand, changes in human habits, preferences, use as well as the contemporary approach to spatial planning and developments places new demands on the built environment. There is therefore the need for a new approach to the architectural design and renewal of buildings in historical contexts such as traditional villages. This new approach should resolve the inherent contradictions of preserving the old, whilst meeting contemporary needs.Extension thought mainly refers to solving contradiction problems through some methods such as transforming physical things and resolving problems. This study uniquely applies the principles and methods of Extenics as a new approach to resolving the socio-spatial contradictions between historic and contemporary built environments. It utilises a case study to showcase how Extenics and modes of extension thinking can be used to rejuvenate the architecture of old buildings in the ancient villages within physical and regulatory constraints. It presents a new thinking process for integrated, logical yet human-centred design solutions design. The findings show that Extenics provides a viable new way to deliver reconstruction and renewal without compromise to human and social needs. It also makes a significant contribution to how designers can be more creative, and make an innovative departure from the previous approaches to the process of protection and renewal of historic buildings.

Rozwiązania instytucjonalne w gospodarowaniu nieruchomościami zabytkowymi na Dolnym Śląsku od 1945 r. do 2018 r.

Purpose – The aim of the article is to analyze the institutional solutions regarding to acquisition, security and trade in historic real estate in Lower Silesia in the years 1945-2018. Research method – The analysis of archival sources and literature on the subject as well as statistical data.Results – In the post-war history of Poland, there was no comprehensive and long-term activities for protection and security of historic buildings. Until 1989, the responsibility for protection of cultural heritage rested primarily on state institutions and administration. However, since the 1990s the ownership structure of monuments has changed. Most of the buildings still belonged to state institutions – Agricultural Property Agency (ANR) and Military Property Agency (AMW), but gradually increased participation of churches and religious associations, municipalities and private owners. Originality – Analysis of the activities of individual institutions shows that the problem of the preservation and use of architectural monuments still remains valid.

Opportunities of Geometric Documentation of Historic Buildings with Terrestrial Laser Scanner, Examples from Aksaray/Turkey

Detailed and accurate measurements can be done by using laser scanning technology compared to conventional methods in documentation of cultural heritage. Accuracy of measured data directly affects the protection of historical buildings and decision-making process. By processing laser scanning data, multipurpose 3d models can be obtained and all work and results can be shared via internet. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the building can be made with this data and it can be transferred to all related engineering and archeological fields. Despite the advantages of this technology, it has not been used widely yet in production of architectural projects. High cost of equipment and data processing software have been seen as main obstacles for widespread using of this technology. As well as, lack of integration of this topic into architectural education and less number of researcher studying in this field restrict the use of laser scanner. In this paper, evaluations were made in order to define the possibilities by using laser scanner technologies in process of restoration projects of which number is getting increased in last decades in Turkey. Positive and negative aspects of technology observed in survey process were given with a case study, a small traditional house in province of Aksaray and some reviews related to potential use of laser scanner technologies were made in Turkey.

MELESTARIAN KAWASAN KONSERVASI SEBAGAI LANDASAN BUDAYA DALAM PERENCANAAN KOTA PEKALONGAN

Pekalongan formed through a long and unique history, which is characterized by a variety of historical relics and ancient buildings the main building. Starting from this, it seems we need a comprehensive conceptual thinking to handle the pearls in Pekalongan city, which still looks dull and does not appear to shine. Pekalongan city government itself also can not see that the potential of the region and the ancient building is of pearls are still dull and hidden, which can be polished so shiny and attract attention. They prefer talkative build buildings and malls without careful planning, and often displacing precisely these historic buildings. From sentences above, presumably, this research is needed to handle the pearls through the development of the concept of conservation, namely the concept of the arrangement, preservation, and development of the areas historic city of Pekalongan, and certainly is one of the bases for planning and development of culture and tourism city. Regulation on the protection of historic buildings the city is already there, but it is still necessary regulatory or conservation regulation in order to historic district Pekalongan sustainable, not just the building alone.

Graubünden. Ein Verein für die Baukultur. Wie sich der Bündner Heimatschutz für baukulturelle Anliegen engagiert / Canton of Grisons. An association for the building culture. How the Bündner Heimatschutz is committed to building culture issues

Heimatschutz is considered the most important organization for the culture of construction in the Grisons. Founded in 1905 with the aim of protecting the traditional Grisons’ culture considering landscape and nature, since the beginning it paid attention not only to the “conservation” of the architectural heritage but also to its “evolution”. At the end of the seventies driven by figures such as Peter Zumthor, the focus shifts on constructed environment with a new emphasis: paving the way to contemporary architecture. Besides taking care of the protection and redevelopment of historical buildings, the Heimatschutz commits to the contemporary development of architecture, also in contexts of territorial planning. It has three main tools: the work of public relations with publications and events, the active promotion of projects made by others and, at the end, the critic action – to the process. The Valendas case shows the proactive intervention of Heimatschutz towards solving the present problem of abandoned villages. On the contrary the discussion about the restoration of the boarding school of the Canton in Coira shows how the association was able to anchor in the public opinion the demand of a careful management of the most important buildings of a period mostly unpopular as the sixties. Nowadays the Heimatschutz counts around 450 members and thanks to a legacy of more than two millions francs can make use of a professional structure.

Protection of Historical Buildings in Metro Line Construction: A Case Study in Shanghai, China

This research presents a holistic approach to the protection of historical building group adjacent to metro line construction, in which health investigation, protection criterion determining, numerical simulation analyses, corresponding protection measures and field monitoring analyses are incorporated as main procedures. A case relating to the conservation of a seven-storey brick-wood pagoda, Longhua Pagoda, adjacent to the construction of Shanghai Metro Lines 11 and 12 in China, is presented. A reasonable protection criterion is determined rationally by means of numerical simulation based on the health investigation results combined with related standards, which can help to achieve a fine balance between system safety and cost constraints in protection measures determining. A full numerical model is developed to analyze the effect of dewatering, excavation, tunneling, and shield departure/reception, and corresponding measures are adopted to ensure the safety of the pagoda. Especially a brand new method, steel jacket method, is introduced in detail, which has a good performance on decreasing the amount of dewatering and maintaining a stable working face. Results demonstrate the application potential of the proposed approach, as well as its feasibility. The proposed approach can be used in the industry by practitioners to provide positive guidelines on the conservation of historical building group against metro line constructions. The reliable and detailed data in this case can also provide verification for subsequent research.

Efficiency evaluation of treatments against rising damp by scale models and test in situ

Abstract The presence of water in masonries is one of the most relevant cause of decay in historic buildings. If water is present, particularly rising damp, degradation processes such as biological growth, powdering due to salt crystallization cycles may arise and be intensified. Treatment against rising damp is therefore generally advised for the protection and preventive conservation of historic buildings. Within this framework, the JPICH Project “Effectiveness of methods against rising damp in buildings: European practice and perspective – EMERISDA” (2014–2017) aimed at a scientifically based evaluation of the effectiveness of different methods against rising damp and at decision support tool definition for a conscious choice use of these methods in the practice of conservation. During the present paper the methodology adopted on site for the evaluation of the efficiency of methods aiming at stopping/limiting rising damp on masonries is described. Specifically, results concerning the treatments on masonries with chemical injections (solvent and water based) and with plasters application on scale models and the case study of Agora in Ferrara (Italy) are presented.

Discussion on applying trombe wall technology for wall conservation and energy saving in modern historic buildings

ABSTRACTPrevious studies on modern historic buildings protection have been mainly conducted from the view of building history, culture and aesthetic, but rarely focus on the green building technology and energy-saving. With the increasingly serious crises of environment and energy, it is valuable to research how to carry out ecological protection to effectively reduce energy consumption in modern buildings while ensuring the authenticity and readability of building heritage information.This article describes a new technical scheme to apply Trombe wall technology for wall conservation in modern historic buildings. The feasibility, key construction technologies and operating conditions in different seasons were demonstrated by an actual case in Beijing. Key findings show that the technical scheme not only protects the skin texture of the wall but also makes full use of passive solar energy. Energy consumption simulation results show that saving energy in winter is significant. Compared with the original building, the total energy consumption of the building that adopted the technical scheme was reduced by 10.77%, the heating energy consumption was reduced by 21.86%, and the cooling energy consumption was reduced by 1.02%. The research findings provide new inspiration and reference for studies on the protection of modern historic buildings, and serve as a technical reference for architects.

Фітомеліоративна ефективність вуличних фітоценозів як один із параметрів екологічного виміру збалансованого розвитку міста

Запропоновано введення параметра «коефіцієнт фітомеліоративної ефективності насаджень» у розрахунок індексу екологічного виміру збалансованого розвитку міської екосистеми. Проаналізовано особливості архітектурно-планувальної ситуації Львова. Визначено середньодобову інтенсивність руху автомобілів та вивчено фітомеліоративну роль насаджень вздовж вулиць Городоцької, Івана Франка та Євгена Коновальця. Визначено коефіцієнт фітомеліоративної ефективності насаджень вздовж транспортних магістралей, що дає змогу інформаційно доповнити екологічний складник виміру збалансованого розвитку міської екосистеми. Встановлено ступінь виконання фітомеліоративних функцій фітоценозів. Подано пропозиції щодо оптимізації рослинного покриву вулиць.

A Brief Discussion on the Current Situation and Problems of the Protection of Tibet’s Historic Buildings

The protection of historic buildings is one of the important tasks to promote the development of modern civilization, which is also of great significance to the development of contemporary architecture. All countries in the world attach great importance to the protection of historic buildings. There are still many problems in the protection of historic buildings in China, and it needs further improvement. This paper takes the historical and cultural district of Jiangzi city in the southwest of Tibet autonomous region as an example, analyzes the present situation and problems of historic building protection in China and gives some suggestions.

Evaluation of the protection and presentation of historic buildings in the Viminacium Archaeological Park in relation to their spatial context

Viminacium was the capital of the Roman province of Moesia Superior and an important legionary fortress. Today it is an archaeological park with protected and presented historic buildings and contemporary facilities, situated by the thermo power plant and strip coal mine near Kostolac in Serbia, and it is identified as a cultural property of exceptional importance for the Republic of Serbia. The protection and presentation of the historic buildings in Viminacium to date can be divided into groups as follows: basic protection and presentation; integrated protection and presentation through interpretation; and integrated protection and presentation through reconstruction and revitalisation. All the processes can be discussed within the framework of the evergreen topic of heritage conservation - the quest for the proper protection and presentation of buildings, which is often connected with the spatial context.

Selected problems of protection of historic buildings against the rainwater and the groundwater

The paper presents selected problems in the selection of the state of the art modern civil engineering solutions for drying moisture or wet, in particular parts of the underground structures of the brick historic buildings. The repair works of the immobile cultural heritage civil engineering objects require the appropriate choice of the design solution. These should be achieved by obtaining the assumed effects in the form of the effectiveness of repairs regarding all possible measures of protection of the cultural heritage buildings. Another key issue of the analysis of the causes of moisture formation in underground masonry structures is the necessity of consideration of the historic character of these buildings. Based on authors' extensive experience and expert knowledge, a range of diagnostics process as well as the assessment of the causes of the moisture problems of historic buildings for several selected cases was proposed. Moisture is transferred from the outside of the building to the basement interior by four mechanisms liquid water flow, capillary suction, vapor diffusion and air movement. The variety of the different mechanisms of moisture transfer, especially regarding buildings of cultural heritage implies that the selection of the most suitable system solution for solving moisture problem is the most crucial and a key issue in a specific case.

Assessment of the Category of Technical Condition and Seismic Stability of Historic Structures Using the Method of Dynamic Geophysical Tests.

Protection of historical buildings is an important international task. Historical buildings, in addition to aging wear, are subjected to periodic and continuous dynamic effects from earthquakes and passing by road and rail transport and from effects of exhaust gases. Most historical objects are constructively made of local materials: adobe, brick and stone blocks, they have mixed structural schemes and do not possess the necessary seismic resistance. The authors of this article propose the technology of dynamic and geophysical testing of structures for assessing the category of technical condition and seismic stability. This article gives examples of the application of this technology to assess the state of historical objects.

State production of cultural nationalism: political leaders and preservation policies for historic buildings in France and Italy

AbstractAlthough cultural and political nationalism have often been treated as separate, recent studies argue that they are linked because the state produces policies such as promotion of cultural heritage to further nation building. The article examines the conditions that favour national political leaders adopting policies to protect historic buildings for aims of political nationalism. It compares France and Italy, focusing on the period after 1870. It finds that in both countries, national political leaders have introduced extensive protection of historic buildings when faced with major challenges such as war, regime change or pressures from localism or supporters of cultural nationalism as part of wider strategies to build and reinforce the nation state. But Italy extended protection earlier and more deeply than France, suggesting in a later nation state with strong inherited cultural nationalism but major political weaknesses and, national political leaders may introduce earlier, more far‐reaching and more layered legal protection than in states created earlier and with fewer weaknesses.

Application of Soil Nailing Technique for Protection and Preservation Historical Buildings

Soil nailing is one of the recent in situ techniques used for soil improvement and in stabilizing slopes. The process of soil nailing consists of reinforcing the natural ground with relatively small steel bars or metal rods, grouted in the pre-drilled holes. This method has a wide range of applications for stabilizing deep excavations and steep slopes. Soil nailing has recently become a very common method of slope stabilisation especially where situated beneath or adjacent to historical buildings. Stabilisation by nails drilled into existing masonry structures such as failing retaining walls abutments, provide long term stability without demolition and rebuilding costs. Two cases of soil nailing technology aimed at stabilising slopes beneath old buildings in Poland are presented in this paper. The first concerns application of this technology to repair a retaining wall supporting the base of the dam at the historic hydroelectric power plant in Rutki. The second regards a concept of improving the slope of the Castle Hill in Sandomierz. An analysis of the slope stability for the latter case, using stabilisation technique with the piling system and soil nailing was performed. Some advantages of soil nailing especially for protection of historical buildings, are also underlined. And, the main results of an economic comparison analysis are additionally presented.