75405 - Materials Preservation for Cultural Heritage M

Learning outcomes

The course provides the student with basic tools for selecting and properly applying the materials and technologies for the conservation of historic buildings, in accomplishment with the requirements of durability, effectiveness and compatibility.

At the end of the course, the student is able to indicate the technical requirements for the materials to be employed for the rehabilitation of historic buildings and for preventing future decay processes.

Moreover, in the frame of module 2, the course provides the students with basic knowledge of microbiology and biotechnology required for understanding the role of microorganisms in the biodeterioration of cultural heritage and their possible implication in the prevention and conservation of the materials and the restoration of altered ones.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules (3 credits each).

 

Module 1 (Dr. Elisa Franzoni)

Historic building materials: natural stones; fired-clay bricks; binders, mortars, plasters/renders, stuccoes and finishing; timber; cements; artificial stones and cement-based concrete. Classification and microstructure. Historic and technological evolution.

 

Historic building materials and environment: pollutants and physical-mechanical and chemical decay processes in building materials. Role of moisture in materials decay.

 

Destructive and non-destructive diagnostic techniques for the characterization of historic building materials and their transformation products. Case histories. Standards.

 

Materials and technologies for the conservation and preservation of materials. Effectiveness, compatibility and durability requirements. Surfaces maintenance and cleaning. Materials and technologies for consolidation. Materials and technologies for surface protection. Dehumidification systems for historic masonries. Inspections and monitoring of repaired buildings.

Case histories on the materials and technologies above.

 

Degree theses: on every topic of the course, in a practical and applied perspective, also in collaboration with other teachers of the Course, Public Institutions, Enterprises, etc.

 

Module 2 (Dr. Noura Raddadi)

Contents

Major prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes of interest for the biodeterioration/biocuring of cultural heritage. Classification of microorganisms. Main features and physiology of bacteria, archaea, fungi (yeasts and molds), algae, lichens.

 

Metabolism of microorganisms of interest for cultural heritage. Anabolic and catabolic pathways occurring on stoneworks and their close interactions. Aerobic respiration of organic and inorganic matter. Anaerobic respiration: overview on the biochemistry, microbiology and relevance of the anaerobic respiration process for the removal of black crusts from stone monuments (i.e., nitrate-reduction, sulfate-reduction).

 

Culture-dependent and independent approaches (molecular techniques) for the analysis of microbial communities involved in biotederioration of cultural heritage.

                                                           

Application of microrganisms and/or their enzymes for the bioremediation of altered cultural heritage and for conservation purposes.

Readings/Bibliography

- Standards and recommendations  (EN, NORMAL, etc.)

 

- G. G. AMOROSO, V. FASSINA, “STONE DECAY AND CONSERVATION: ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION, CLEANING CONSOLIDATION AND PROTECTION”, ELSEVIER 1983

 

- Madigan et al. (2012) Brock-Biology of microorganisms .

 

Further documents on the topics of the course are indicated and/or distributed during the lessons.

Teaching methods

Photographic supports will be used for a better showing of the case histories about the course topics.

 

Didactic outings in historic buildings and/or restoration workplaces.

Assessment methods

Final oral test.

 

The test dates for the whole year and the registration lists are available on-line on the official AlmaEsami website (the lists are closed 24 hr. before each exam date).

Office hours

See the website of Elisa Franzoni

See the website of Noura Raddadi