99570 - Stone Materials Characterization

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire knowledge of the main types of natural stones of ancient and modern employment. The student will be able to: -recognize the most common minerals and their physical properties; -identify and classify the most important rock types employed in historical and modern buildings; -be acquainted with main pottery classes and artificial stones (bricks, mortar); -define the mineralogical and geochemical composition and deterioration products of ceramic and stone materials; -be acquainted with petrographic methods used for the characterization of stone materials.

Course contents

Introduction to mineralogy: introduction to the most important rock-forming minerals (quartz, feldspars, micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles, calcite-dolomite, gypsum, pyrite, clays). Properties of rock-forming minerals.

Natural stone materials of ancient and modern employment (granites, marbles and stones). Short introduction to processes of rock formation. Classification and systematic description of igneous (plutonic and volcanic) rocks. Classification and description of metamorphic rocks. Classification and description of sedimentary (clastic, limestones) rocks. Systematic exam and description of marbles used in the classical antiquity.

Production and use of ceramic materials (pottery and bricks). Binder, mortar, plaster, concrete and mosaics. Decay morphologies and deterioration mechanism of stones. Sampling, cataloguing and elaboration of a diagnostic project. Mineralogical-petrographic study of natural and artificial stone materials through polarizing optical-microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), also handheld XRF instruments for in-situ analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-ESEM) end EDS microanalysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning probe microscopy (SPM), Raman spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analisys (TG-DTA), (DTG). Evaluation of experimental mineralogical and chemical data and their graphic representation.

Readings/Bibliography

Klein C., Philpotts A.R. (2016): Earth Materials. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1316608852.

Hodges H. (2009): Artifacts. Duckworth London. ISBN 978-0715623169

Ingham J.P. (2013) Geomaterials under the microscope. Academic Press

Orton C., Tyres P., Vince A. (1993): Pottery in archaeology. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 798-0-521-44597-9

Putnis A. Introduction to Mineral Sciences, Cambridge University Press.

G. Valdrè, U.Valdrè. Misure e Complementi di Fisica, CLUEB Bologna

Velde B. (1992) Introduction to Clay Minerals, Chapman & Hall.

Nesse, W. Optical Mineralogy, Oxford University Press.

Goldstein et al. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis, Springer.

Williams D.B. and Carter C.B. Transmission Electron Microscopy, Springer.

Meyer E. et al. Scanning probe microscopy, Springer.

Specific notes from the teacher.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and laboratory exercises.

The course will include laboratory activities. To attend these activities students are required to follow Module 1 and 2 in e- learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] and a Module 3 about health and safety in study places. Information about the dates and modes to attend module 3 will be published on the Degree Course website.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Teaching tools

LCD projector for Power Point presentations. Examples of minerals and rocks samples. Thin sections of minerals, rocks, bricks, mortars and ceramics. Transmitted Polarized Light Microscopes, photomicroscope with digital camera. Examples of analitycal instrumentations and lab.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Valdrè

See the website of Gianfranco Ulian

See the website of Daniele Moro