75405 - Materials Preservation for Cultural Heritage M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the class, student has knowledge of the basic methodological tools useful to make a correct selection and application of materials and technologies for the conservation of historic building materials, aiming to effectiveness, compatibility and durability. In particular, at the end of the course he/she is able to specify the requirements that must be met by the materials for the historic building rehabilitation and the prevention of decay phenomena.

Course contents

Module 1 (Prof. Enrico Sassoni, 24 h)

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 the 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.

 

Module 2 (Prof. Noura Raddadi, 24 h)

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

• 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.

Teaching methods

• Lectures in classroom and practical classes in the laboratory.
• Visits to historic buildings and restoration sites

Assessment methods

inal oral examination.

The examination is aimed at assessing the learning of the topics of both modulies and is carried out in a single oral test.

The exam is aimed at assessing whether the student has developed knowledge on the topics covered within the course and has developed the ability to critically apply the acquired knowledge (e.g. by knowing how to apply the acquired concepts to new cases and how to perform comparisons and selections).

The ability to express the acquired knowledge and ability by using proper technical lexicon is taken into consideration to award the final grade.

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

Teaching tools

Slides shown during the classes are made available to the students through Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Sassoni

See the website of Noura Raddadi