Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Historical Buildings: 7th(v. 13 Advances in Architecture)

Public appreciation of the benefits and values of our architectural heritage has advanced considerably over the past decades. The part played by old buildings in the historical identity of a region, town or nation is increasingly recognised and appreciated, while their effective preservation requires looking beyond borders and continents to benefit from experience gained by others. Featuring state-of-the-art research and recent case studies, this book contains papers presented at the Seventh International Conference on Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Historical Buildings. The pre-eminent conference series on this topic, the STREMAH meetings provide an ideal forum for architects, curators, engineers, art historians, surveyors and archaeologists to exchange opinions and experiences, present the most up-to-date scientific and practical findings, and discuss problems and solutions. Over 65 papers from specialists working throughout the world are included and these cover: structural issues; seismic behaviour and vibrations; material problems; maintenance; prevention of structural damage; stabilization and reinforcement; experimental techniques; monitoring and testing; simulation and modelling; deterioration, protection and evaluation of materials; and historical and architectural aspects.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Structural Issues Identification of structural pathologies of San Martin tower; Practical applications of the constructional principles for ancient pagoda; The stability of slender masonry mullions; New ideas on the use of systematically constructed tension structures to cover historical archaeological sites; Fire resistance of historic iron structures in multi-storey buildings. Section 2: Seismic Behaviour and Vibrations Seismic stabilization of heritage structures in California; Seismic rocking response of the columns of Agrigento temples; Earthquake risk analysis on historical buildings in A stanbul; Stress analysis of an ancient stupa in Sri Lanka in connection with its conservation; Histride: an integrated software environment for dynamic structural identification; Post-earthquake renewal in the So - a Valley region, from the aspect of preservation of traditional buildings and from the economic point of view; Fundamental investigation concerning restoration of ruins of Machu Picchu: discussions on seismological aspects; The reform of story-increasing and anti-seismic strengthening of certain historical buildings; Analysis and investigation of seismic behavior for multistory-pavilion ancient pagodas in China. Section 3: Material Problems Characterization of damage in a limestone; Triaxial testing of historic masonry, test set-up and first results; Effectiveness of polymer-based impregnation agents on natural stones - long-term studies. Section 4: Maintenance Experimental research to forecast the maintenance times for historic buildings damaged by urban pollution; A necessary restoration for the traditional and historical buildings in Volla plain (Naples, Italy); Informatic tools for historical centres maintenance; The specification for a Web-based integrated document management system relating to building renovation; The restoration of ancient brickwork chimneys. Section 5: Prevention of Structural Damage Assessing 19th century 'fireproof' buildings; Two-layers jacketing for column drums; Proposal on movement of the church "Saint Cathoghikeh" in Yerevan City to prevent further deterioration from vibrations and to increase earthquake resistance; Dry rigid block masonry: safe solutions in presence of Coulomb friction. Section 6: Stabilisation and Reinforcement About the strengthening design of the masonry chimney of the former sugar house in Cesena (Italy); Long-term review to the rehabilitation of the collegiate church in Konigslutter, Germany. Section 7: Experimental Techniques Creep failure of ancient masonry: experimental investigation and numerical modeling; Backfill role on the stability of arches and vaults; Dynamic and earthquake behavior of ancient columns or colonnades with or without shape memory alloy devices; Imaging structural elements of a cathedral using ground penetrating radar. Section 8: Monitoring and Testing Monitoring a masonry building of the 18th century by the acoustic emission technique; Sonic tomography of the stone pillars of a 17th century church; Application and limits of weathering simulation on the maintenance of monuments; Application of vibroacoustical methods for testing and condition monitoring of historical buildings in St.-Petersburg; Feedback control of masonry vault. Section 9: Simulation and Modelling Influence of strengthening techniques on the dynamic response of masonry structures; A study of the membrane state of Florence Cathedral dome; Interior thermal insulation systems in the renovation of historical buildings: a computational analysis; Mechanics of traditional connections with metal devices in timber roof structures; Statical analysis of infilled frames; Methodology for the building estate knowledge: analytic tools for identifying degradation processes; Suitability tests of improvements to half-timbered walls by simulations; Investigation and recalculation on the "Hyparschale" in Magdeburg; "Virtual Project": the future for the representation and the restoration of historical-artistic buildings. Section 10: Deterioration, Protection and Evaluation of Materials Close range digital photogrammetry for the measurement of erosion to historic adobe structures; Tensile and low-cycle compressive tests on a natural structural stone; Investigation of the protective effect of repair mortars with migrating corrosion inhibitor in deterioration of structural damage; The quantification of the moisture distribution in renovated historical wall structures and exposed monuments; Injection methods for retrofitting of moisture damaged constructions;Rehabilitation of hydraulic masonry heritage structures: injection of special cement-based grouts and tomographic control; The role of the pointing mortar in the damage due to salt crystallization; Classification of masonry structures used in domestic architecture of 17th-19th centuries in Madrid; Soluble and non water soluble sulphates in damage layers on hydraulic mortars; Influences affecting compressive strength of modern non-hydraulic lime mortars used in masonry conservation; Influence of different surface systems and humidity-controlled ventilation systems with heat recovery on the indoor climate in flats. Section 11: Historical and Architectural Aspects Documents in stone: at the interface of material history and conservation; Evolution of architectural forms of historical buildings; Some observations on the concept of construction; Degrees of physical adaptation: current uses of historic naval building types; Heritage structures are the benchmarks of our cultural evolution; Interdisciplinary approach for the restoration of the Church "La Madonna della Pieta"; Reconstructing ancient buildings by generating systems; Historical pointing and the preservation of its value; Influence of geometrical and material properties on multiple-leaf walls behaviour; Protection of cultural heritage in a modern city: the case of Belo Horizonte - Brazil; Rehabilitating historic buildings: an European Action project.

Review :
"As a publication the book is well suited for the bookshelf of the structural engineer...very scientific and well compiled and has some authoritative and worthwhile conclusions on many of the topics that have been under investigation. This book is also seen as a valuable aid and source of reference to those engaged in laboratory and research work on the conservation and care of historic buildings."