Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
3,142
result(s) for
"Stone Conservation."
Sort by:
Assessing the Impact of Lichens on Saint Simeon Church, Paşabağ Valley (Cappadocia, Turkey): Potential Damaging Effects versus Protection from Rainfall and Winds
The impact of lichens on the conservation of monuments, such as the World Heritage Site (WHS) of Cappadocian churches, presents a multifaceted challenge for conservators. Previous studies have shown that lichens can both induce deterioration processes of stone through their penetration into the substrate and chemical interactions as well as provide bioprotection, forming encrustations including calcium oxalate layers, which help mitigating the effects of weathering, reducing water penetration and eolian erosion. Evaluating the impact of lichens requires a comprehensive understanding of various factors, which include the type of rock substrate, the colonizing lichen species, the monument architecture, and the prevailing physic-chemical weathering processes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of lichen colonization on Saint Simeon Church in the Paşabağı Valley (Turkey) with a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the interplay between lichens, microclimatic conditions, and the degradation of stone. Specifically, this study examines the influence of wind-driven rain (WDR) occurrences on lichen distribution and stone weathering to develop comprehensive conservation strategies. The results confirmed the previous observations and showed a prevalence of the protective role of lichens over their deterioration. The northwest side of the church, despite being heavily impacted by environmental factors such as WDR and freezing–thawing cycles, showed reduced deterioration due to extensive lichen coverage. In contrast, the northeast side, with lower lichen colonization, demonstrated more severe deterioration. These findings suggest that integrating the protective aspects of lichen colonization into conservation strategies can enhance their preservation.
Journal Article
Conservation and Restoration of Two Candleholders from Kaunas Church of St. George the Martyr: Reconstruction Proposals
The paper is concerned with the process of developing the concept for the conservation, restoration, and reconstruction of the missing parts of the seventeenth-century candleholders from the Church of St. George the Martyr in Kaunas. The paper will review the issues encountered in the effort to find and select materials for the conservation and restoration of stone fragments. It will also describe the tests carried out during the process and highlight the role of chemical and non-interventional analysis as an auxiliary tool in the process of conservation and restoration.
Journal Article
A new ingredient to improve Chinese traditional hydraulic lime and its assessment on stone heritage conservation
Ginger nut, AGA soil, and shell lime are the primary building limes used in traditional Chinese architectural sites. They have been widely researched and developed for restoring rock and soil heritage over the last decade. Previous studies have shown that these materials are compatible with weathered rock in terms of mechanical properties and environmental adaptability. In this study, metakaolinite was added to Chinese hydraulic limes to improve the mortar abilities. The basic properties and weather abilities of the mortars were evaluated. The characteristics of carbonation and hydration were analyzed over 900 days. The results indicated that the early strength improved and the contracting rate reduced when metakaolinite was added. The shell lime mortar was improved considerably compared with the modified ginger nut and AGA soil. The lime mortar content was determined using the X-ray diffraction results. The carbonation and hydration characteristics revealed that the metakaolinite aided the generation of hydraulic products (Ca2Al2SiO7·nH2O and β-CaSiO3·nH2O), particularly in the early stage. The microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed more uniform and consolidated structures when metakaolinite was added.
Journal Article
Advancements in Stone Object Restoration Using Polymer-Inorganic Phosphate Composites for Cultural Heritage Preservation
Recent advancements in cultural heritage preservation have increasingly focused on the development and application of new composites, harnessing the diverse properties of their components. This study reviews the current state of research and practical applications of these innovative materials, emphasizing the use of inorganic phosphatic materials (in particular the hydroxyapatite) and various polymers. The compatibility of phosphatic materials with calcareous stones and the protective properties of polymers present a synergistic approach to addressing common deterioration mechanisms, such as salt crystallization, biological colonization, and mechanical weathering. By examining recent case studies and experimental results, this paper highlights the effectiveness, challenges, and future directions for these composites in cultural heritage conservation. The findings underscore the potential of these materials to enhance the durability and aesthetic integrity of heritage stones, promoting sustainable and long-term preservation solutions.
Journal Article
Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool to Support the Development of a Novel Multifunctional Treatment for Porous Sandstone Conservation
Porous stones are widely used in historical constructions and represent a major component of built cultural heritage. Their conservation commonly depends on multiple single-function products, such as consolidants, hydrophobic agents, biocides, or cleaning agents, which are often toxic and environmentally burdensome. This study performs an environmental assessment of a novel multi-function product designed for the sustainable conservation of porous stones and compares it with other conservation treatment alternatives. This product integrates green chemistry and nanotechnology through a water-based alkoxysilane modified with layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles. Laboratory and field tests on Portuguese monuments demonstrated suitable technical performance, including high substrate compatibility, effective consolidation depth, durable hydrophobicity, biocidal effect, and minimal visual alteration. To evaluate its environmental performance, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out, from cradle-to-grave. The system boundaries encompassed production, application, and transportation stages, with 1 m2 of treated sandstone surface as the functional unit. LCA was performed using CML-IA and ReCiPe methodologies in the SimaPro software. The results revealed the extent of environmental impacts of the novel product, addressing the multi-function strategy compared with conventional products and treatment scenarios. They identified critical life cycle stages for improvement to further enhance environmental performance across scenarios, particularly the influence of perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane on the environmental burden of the novel product. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of LCA as a design and decision support tool for developing sustainable, multifunctional materials for cultural heritage conservation.
Journal Article
A Novel Approach to Carbonate Stone Conservation: Induced Calcium Oxalate Formation Through the Application of Ammonium N-Ethyloxamate (AmEtOxam) on White Carrara Marble
Ammonium N-ethyloxamate (AmEtOxam) was synthesized, fully characterized by microanalytical and spectroscopic means, and assayed as a precursor of calcium oxalate, acting as a protecting agent for white Carrara marble. The monohydrate form of AmEtOxam shows a water solubility of 1.5 mol·L−1 (~23% w/w), significantly higher than that of common calcium oxalate precursors (CaOx), such as ammonium oxalate (0.4 mol·L−1, ~5% w/w). While AmEtOxam is stable in water solution and in the solid state in its monohydrate form, during the application on carbonate stone it undergoes a complete hydrolysis resulting in the formation of a uniform weddellite layer (CaC2O4·2H2O) on carbonate stone surfaces. Application of 5% w/w aqueous solutions by spraying, brushing, and immersion resulted in different effects. Spraying yielded the most balanced performance, improving mechanical strength, reducing water absorption, recovering superficial tension, and limiting chromatic alteration. Brushing achieved significant gain in surface hardness with minimal esthetic impact. Immersion most effectively reduced porosity and increased surface tension. These results, coupled with the negligible chromatic changes induced in all cases, make AmEtOxam a promising candidate for the conservation of stone cultural heritage.
Journal Article