Rehabilitation Of Historic Buildings Research Articles

Effect of basalt fiber length on the behavior of natural hydraulic lime-based mortars

Abstract The number of studies aimed at the characterization of reinforced lime-based mortars for use in the rehabilitation of historic buildings is still very small. This fact contrasts with the growing interest of the industry in these products as substitutes for cement mortars, both for their constructive advantages (compatibility requirements) and their lower cost (economic and environmental). For this reason, this study investigates the effect of basalt fiber length on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of reinforced natural hydraulic lime mortars and provides criteria for selecting optical blends to meet the various performance requirements for their use as building materials for traditional and contemporary structures. Specimens with 1% volume of basalt fibers and lengths of 6, 12, 18, and 24 mm have been tested. The results in fresh mortar show that increasing the fiber length decreases the consistency and bulk density, as well as increases the air content. Regarding the durability properties of hardened mortar, no direct relationship is observed between fiber length and the decrease in the water absorption coefficient of reinforced mortars. Nor is there a clear relationship between fiber length and the increase in Shore hardness and the decrease in adhesive strength in the reinforced mortars. On the contrary, for small lengths (up to 12 mm), there is a direct relationship between fiber length and the increase in other fundamental mechanical properties such as flexural and compressive strength. Based on the results obtained, a predictive model is proposed to determine the amplification factor of flexural and compressive strength as a function of fiber length.

Optimizing Polymer-Stabilized Raw Earth Composites with Plant Fibers Reinforcement for Historic Building Rehabilitation

This research focuses on the optimization of formulation, characterization, and damage analysis of plant fiber-reinforced polyester resin composites (jute and date palm). To better understand the characteristics and mechanical behavior of these materials, this study investigates the influence of resin content and plant fibers on the physico-mechanical behavior of the resin composites. Resinous composites consisting of polyester resin and raw earth were studied using a novel formulation based on an empirical method that follows the principle of earth saturation with polyester resin. Saturation was achieved with a 28% content of polyester resin, which appeared to be an optimal blend for the earth–resin composite. Plant fibers were randomly incorporated as reinforcement in the composites at various percentages (1%, 2%, and 3%) and lengths (0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 1.5 cm). Mechanical tests including bending, compression, and indentation were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites. Analysis of fracture morphology revealed that the deformation and rupture mechanisms in bending, compression, and indentation of these composites differ from those of traditional concrete and cement mortar. The obtained results indicate that the composites exhibit acceptable performance and could be favorably employed in the rehabilitation of historic buildings.

The Historical Significance of the Welded Tuffs from Arucas, Canary Islands

Arucas Stone (Piedra de Arucas) is a welded tuff quarried in the town of Arucas, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Archipelago. This rock has been quarried for centuries, not only for building but also for many other purposes, such as manufacturing water cisterns or conduits, and especially for carving. The quarrying and economic activity related to this stone have profoundly shaped the history and economy of the city of Arucas, in terms not only of extraction, but also of a highly valued local artisan tradition of stone carving. Immigrants from the Canary Islands even brought this stone to several countries in South America, where it was used to erect numerous important architectural heritage sites. Nowadays, this stone is only quarried in two areas, even though it is often required for the restoration and rehabilitation of historical buildings. Its special characteristics, and, above all, its historical importance, make this stone a prime candidate for Global Heritage Stone designation.

Attachment and Associational Dimensions in the Architecture of Historical Building Conversion in Thailand Between 1997 and 2012

The research on The Initial Survey of Evolution of Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings in Thailand is aimed at constructing knowledge for the module named Reuse and Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings. This module is part of the curriculum of Bachelor of Architecture, which studies the role of architecture fabricated within historical buildings. In the era between 1997 and 2012 in Thailand, there was a notable transformation from conservation to contemporary conversion. A review of conservation perspectives indicates a combined multi-disciplinary cooperation between architectural design and conservation. To establish issues regarding the knowledge of conversion, a research question is raised: how do architectural elements play its role through changing of use? Aimed at understanding the complexity among conversion ideologies, issues surrounding architectural elements of historical buildings are rationally explored. Based on significant conversion projects from 1996 to 2012, architectural elements were referenced as to how concepts and objectives were associated. Qualitative research was conducted through a study of primary sources; survey and classification of representative samples, and secondary documents, records and architectural drawings. The controlling significance of the buildings led to a discussion and an analysis of the architectural designs through new additions and amendments made on the historical fabric. Included in this discussion are the principles of conversion as they relate to the architecture of historic buildings and the ideology of the modification. It is found that understanding a change to architectural elements through an ontological perspective, that of attachment and associational approaches, could clearly reveal the construction programme that felicitates the historical building for which conservation or adaptation is determined. A dialogue on relevant contexts surrounding amendments of architectural elements demonstrated that a strong emphasis towards particular objectives of use could coincidentally harm the historical building’s architectural dimension framework. This leads to the notion that architecture for adaptive reuse should include knowledge of the original construction, a balance among conditions of the existing building, its programming and further habitation.

Validation of nondestructive methods for assessing stone masonry using artificial neural networks

The aim of this study is to deepen the technical and scientific knowledge related to the characterization of granite masonry based on geophysical tests, mechanical techniques, and neural networks. We used a nondestructive test method to characterize traditional stone masonry and further obtained data on the mechanical parameters of the elements. Historic buildings are typically constructed with stone masonry and make up the urban heritage. The maintenance and rehabilitation of historic buildings are crucial for maintaining interest in history, owing to the historical and cultural values of such buildings. The preservation of buildings classified as historical and cultural heritage is of collective interest, as they mark the history of society. Because the research object is considered a traditional structure, the use of destructive test techniques is discouraged. Thus, a mechanical characterization simulation tool using artificial neural networks (ANNs) was developed and applied to traditional granite walls. This database was developed through ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and sonic tests to characterize wall samples built. The walls were analyzed in a controlled environment, and the elastic modulus was used in response to the ANNs. Two case studies representing traditional granite masonry buildings in Portugal were evaluated through nondestructive characterization tests. For the Mancelos church and Miguel Bombarda Street building, ANNs were applied based on the sonic and GPR test results. The feasibility of using ANN simulation tools for characterizing traditional and historic buildings constructed with granite stone masonry was demonstrated.

Energy Efficiency and Economic Viability as Decision Factors in the Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings

The restoration of historical buildings often implies a change in the main use of the building so that it can once again become a part of people’s lives. Among the interventions needed to adapt the buildings to their new purpose, improving the energy performance is always a challenge due to their particular construction solutions and the influence that these improvements can have on their protected elements. The regulations in force in European Union (EU) member states leave a gap in how the energy performance evaluations in these types of buildings can be defined, and even exclude them from the process. However, rehabilitation of buildings is always seen as an opportunity, because it allows the building to once again be useful to society and play an important role in people’s lives. At the same time, it can also improve their performance and allow benefits to be gained from their use through a reduction in maintenance costs. In the rehabilitation process, the economic viability of the renovation plays a fundamental role which must be compared, in the case of protected buildings, to its impact on the architecture of the building. Since 2002, the EU has issued directives with the aim that countries should define objective methods to improve the energy performance of buildings and, in recent times, methods that demonstrate the amortization of such improvements. Within the process of implementing the new methodologies adapted to the EPBD, Spain was one of the last EU countries to define a process for the energy assessment of existing buildings, introducing an analysis of the economic viability of the construction improvements suggested in the process. The objective of this research was to describe the decision-making process during the evaluation of the feasibility of introducing construction improvements to the energy performance of two catalogued historic buildings located in a warm climate. The estimated energy consumption was evaluated, the net present value (NPV) and the payback period of the investment calculated, and the results obtained were compared with the real energy consumption. At the end of the process, it can be said that the methodologies adopted in Spain offer results that can lead designers to make wrong decisions that may affect the protected heritage values of these buildings.

Improvement of sonic tests methodology for the characterization of stone masonry

The maintenance and rehabilitation of historical buildings is vital and it is not recommended to use destructive investigative techniques on them. Non-destructive geophysical tests (NDT) have been increasingly used to characterize historical buildings ((Binda et al., 1998; Anzani et al., 2006; McCann and Forde 2001; Silva et al., 2013; Manning et al., 2014; Leucci et al., 2011). However, this practice, although in wide use, still has significant uncertainties in obtaining reliable quantitative and qualitative data and information. This paper focuses on the application of sonic tests as a NDT (non-destructive testing) research option for characterizing granite masonry walls. The sonic test, one of the commonly used NDT techniques, is performed with an instrumented hammer as an active source for wave generation and accelerometers for wave reception. The conventional and expeditious use of sonic tests relies on a methodology for wave generation and acquisition as well as signal analysis processing and interpretation based on certain assumptions. This work calls into question some of the referred assumptions about wave generation and acquisition and interpretation procedures and aims to show a better understanding of the method allowing more accurate and reliable results in its application. In addition, we propose a non-conventional methodology for S-waves generation and acquisition as well as a technique for waves recognition.

Development of Lightweight, Remediation Plasters and Study of their Moisture Behavior

One of the strategic goals of Europe 2020 is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % by 2020 compared to year 1990 and increasing energy efficiency by 20 %. Closely related to the revitalization of structures necessary for reasons reduction of their unsatisfactory energy consumption and then also the construction of new building structures with minimal energy requirements by using less energy demanding materials, if is it possible from easily renewable resources. Currently, the structures involved a high degree of total energy consumption in the European Union, about 40 %. Thermal insulating plasters with using lightweight aggregate based on recycled glass are the appropriate remediation materials for the rehabilitation of existing buildings, or even for thermal insulation of new structures. In view of the fact that historic buildings are often exposed to dampness and moisture, it is necessary for these redevelopment plasters also tackle studios moisture transport. The paper describes the results of the development of new insulating plasters that would have been reflected particularly in the rehabilitation of historic buildings and problematic details of building structures.

Rehabilitation of farmhouses and barns: limits of salt content

The rehabilitation of historic buildings is a practice that aims to turn a historic property into a state of contemporary comfort for private or commercial use, while preserving its historic, architectural and cultural value, respecting items of authenticity, compatibility and sustainability. What once was a modest use of locally fired brick and mortar has become the subject of ambitious rehabilitation campaigns conforming to the rules of comfort and hygiene of the twenty-first century. A pre-investigation concerning the diagnosis of damage phenomena and the risk assessment of interventions is a crucial aspect for the success of a restoration campaign. The question of “How to optimally preserve a monument within its current conditions” is replaced by “How can a monument optimally perform in the conditions suited to the assigned rehabilitation project”. Today historic farms and their surroundings, after being abandoned for several decades, are the subject of different types of private or commercial rehabilitation projects. An example of such a project is the farm “Hof De Pleyne” in Loppem (West-Flanders, Belgium). The project intended to integrate a restaurant kitchen into the former animal barn. The limits of salt content with respect to the desired rehabilitation facilities while respecting safety regulations are presented.

Sustainability assessment, rating systems and historical buildings Case study: Rehabilitated construction in a university site

This paper explores the relationship between the indicators and different factors that “rating systems for green projects” concentrates on, and principles and factors considered in the rehabilitation of historical buildings. In recent years, different methods and systems concerned and improved for assessing environmental sustainability. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment (BRE) Environmental Assessment Method) are two most commonly used rating systems, established in U.S and UK. These systems comprise some categories and different factors to achieve environmentally responsible design. Firstly, this study focuses on the list of rating systems indicators and criteria. Secondly this paper investigates a historical rehabilitated building in the site of Tabriz Art University, as a case study and has tried to compile its green design elements. Finally, this work intends to compare mentioned elements with indicators and factors of building rating systems. Findings of the study revealed that “Materials and Resources”, “indoor environmental quality” and also “Sustainable Sites” ,the most significant indicator of rating systems, had major and important role in the rehabilitation of the building. Beyond this materials’ life cycle was considerable in construction.

Development of Thermal Insulation, Capillary Active Plasters Suitable for Historical Buildings

The paper describes the results of research in the field of thermal insulation plasters suitable for thermal insulation and rehabilitation of historical buildings. The aim was to develop energy-efficient, lightweight plasters, using both common and alternative binders. These were mainly materials based on lime slurry and light porous aggregates that are compatible with the original plaster and masonry materials. These materials are, given their high porosity, capillary active materials and can therefore be used in the restoration of historical buildings, which are often burdened with higher moisture.

Urban Policy in Disguise

In 1976, the federal government adopted tax incentives to engage the private sector in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings. This article examines the development and evolution of federal tax policy related to historic preservation, focusing on four major pieces of legislation: the Tax Reform Act of 1976, the Revenue Act of 1978, the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, and the Tax Reform Act of 1986. From the outset, the motivations behind federal tax incentives for preservation were as much about urban revitalization, as they were about preserving historic resources. Furthermore, the history of federal preservation tax incentives, which often benefited from bipartisan support, sheds light on current debates about amending, enhancing, or eliminating the current historic rehabilitation tax credit.

A társadalmi fenntarthatóság szempontjai közép-európai épületrehabilitációk esetében

The paper analyses the role of building rehabilitations based on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental consciousness, economic sustainability and social responsibility; to verify that all these aspects of sustainable development are accentuated in the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Beyond these aspects the study emphasizes the particular criteria of social sustainability highlighting the significance of contemporary use and conversion of built heritage. In the issue of historical continuity — local identity the tradition is displayed as a determinative element of the image of the local community. Related to the search for local identity the continuity of built heritage may be dominant for a population — especially in Central Europe where because of the specific political background the appearance of modernism equaled a cultural rupture. Exploring the question of urban continuity — fitting it can be established that built heritage preserved by current usage enriches the city with connotational contents providing reference points in space and time for the local community. The third subtopic, the issue of functional continuity — functional change investigates the idea of integrated monument protection, emphasizing the importance of continuous usage of the heritage that is elemental for the sustainability of a monument. The examples presented in the paper, the high-quality, well-functioning projects from the last 10 years of Central European architecture justify the raison d’etre of building rehabilitations.

First Evaluations on Structural Response of FRP Pultruded Applications Subjected to Seismic Actions

The present work proposes and analyses the solution for seismic behaviour of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers) applications to evaluate the performances respect to dynamic actions considering the global effect on historical structures. The good strength-self-weight relationship defines the GFRP pultruded profile as an efficacious and innovative solution for structural rehabilitation of historical buildings. The composite material with polymeric matrix, FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymers), is widely used in civil engineering as sheets, bars and strips. Recently a new technology was adopted to improve the structural response with limited increment of dead load with reversible and independent solution.

AN EXPERIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE DOCUMENTATION IN IRAN USING A LOW-COST TECHNIQUE

Abstract. Today, the need for preservation of cultural heritage as an important, irreplaceable resource for human is well recognized. In this regard, prior to any conservational measure, detailed documentation and recording of these precious resources should be performed; since this way, not only preservation requirements of the object will be identified, but also the existing condition will be recorded for future generations. Accordingly, since Iran is known as an ancient land possesses valuable historic resources, and due the numerousness of Iran's monuments and the high possibility of occurring natural disasters which are counted as significant threats for the monuments, the necessity of fast and appropriate documentation in this country will be clarified. This paper is in fact a part of the project entitled "Study of the application of digital technologies in recording and rehabilitation of historic buildings" in Iran. Here, the surveying process of aforesaid project's case study which is one of the two Kharraqan Tomb Towers placed in Qazvin province of Iran, using close range photogrammetry and low cost equipment will be demonstrated.

Procedures and Techniques Used to Increase the Durability of Weak Masonries with Clay Mortars

For the past decades the importance of structural rehabilitation of historical buildings, in order to preserve the cultural heritage, has increased considerably. The weak masonry (made from bricks and bounded with low-strength mortars) were created using mortars which, depending on different external factors, were degraded and there are necessary urgent rehabilitation interventions in order to assure the masonrys durability by protecting the joints with new, compatible and reversible materials and techniques (according to Venice charter requirements). In order to increase the durability characteristics of the weak masonry, the design and application techniques of some particular materials and solutions used will be considered in present paper. The used procedures are based on joints reinforcing using fibre reinforced mortar (fibres made of steel, carbon and glass). The test results have revealed a significant improvement of the structural response and a noticeable increased durability depending on the materials and techniques used.

Radar investigation as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of historic masonry buildings

Preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings can be successfully accomplished only if the diagnosis of the state of damage of the construction has been carefully carried out. Among the investigation techniques and procedures which have been proposed in these last years, georadar seems from one hand to be the most promising, from the other to need a great deal more of study and research. Some typical problems solved by the authors with the use of GPR and a combination of other techniques; the research was carried out on several historic buildings. The paper also presents the most recent advancements of the GPR technology and their impact on the effectiveness of masonry investigations. In the meantime, the authors will also show the limits of the GPR in some applications. The aim of this contribution is also to help in giving guidelines for the choice of an appropriate use of GPR tools in the solution of various problems.

On 4R Principle in the Rehabilitation of Concrete Historic Buildings

vThe 4R principle refers to reduce, reuse, recycle and regeneration, which should be implemented in the process of concrete treatment. In terms of the special micro-structural properties and self-repairing capacity, concrete is one kind of regenerative construction materials. Through proper handlings, self-repairing (crack close-up) of concrete cracks is possible in the concrete hydration damaged region. Due to the effect of heterogeneous nucleation and subsequent crystal growth of calcium hydroxide, a better bonding strength forms interlocking the new and old concrete interfaces. A proposal on the relationship between the self-repairing, regeneration function of concrete and the rehabilitation of historic buildings is suggested, this is based on the formed process of the bonding strength of the interfaces and the function on concrete repairing. Besides the constitution and features of the microstructure of concrete, the relationship between the micro-structure and the macro-mechanical property is also investigated in this paper

Arqueología y rehabilitación en Sevilla. Desarrollo metodológico y práctico

A partir del año 1985 la ciudad de Sevilla ha conocido un desarrollo extraordinario de la actividad de rehabilitación de edificios históricos debido a tres razones principales: la celebración en el año 1992 de la Exposición Universal y la consiguiente recuperación de viejas instituciones como el Convento de la Cartuja y San Clemente; las nuevas atribuciones de la administración autonómica, que se ha ocupado de palacios como los de Mañara o Altamira; el impulso prestado por el ayuntamiento para la recuperación de las murallas islámicas, monasterios, etc.
 
 Como resultado de estas experiencias se ha producido un desarrollo metodológico de la Arqueología de la Arquitectura.

Glue Joints Used For Reinforcing the Damaged Ends of Wooden Beams

The development of various methods of repair and reinforcement of structural components with the use of bonding techniques has been observed over the last 30 years and has become more widely used in the rehabilitation of historical buildings. The glue joints ensure the uniform performance of structures and enable the introduction of reinforcing elements within the cross-section area of the reinforced components. Despite wide application, theoretical studies of the distribution of forces in glue joints are rarely found in literature. Discussion in this paper has been limited to the case of replacement of wooden beam ends while employing the glue joints and various types of reinforcing elements. The results of laboratory tests concerning the load capacity of the beams after reinforcement, stress patterns in the joints and the pictures of failure of elements are presented. The test results obtained were verified by application of a developed mathematical model describing the performance of “bar-wood” joints. Also the empirical expressions to determine the anchorage length of reinforcement bars in wood are presented.