Evaluation and monitoring of water diffusion into stone porous materials by means of innovative IR thermography techniques

This paper shows the application of two innovative infrared thermography (IRT) methods for the evaluation of water transport phenomena through the outer layers of porous stone materials. An infrared camera measured: a) the moisture stain due to the water absorption after having spilled a drop on the stone surface and b) the ”moisture ring” around the damp surface, after the contact between a soaked round sponge and the stone surface. The time of spreading and the geometric shape of the damped area depend on the porosity of the stone material and are useful to characterize the physical stone features. In addition, monitoring the evolution of the moisture ring by IRT allows implementing and optimize the data coming from protocols of water repellent products with data coming from the “contact sponge measures”. Moreover, moisture ring test links IRT and laboratory tests characterizing the transport phenomena of liquid and water vapour in porous building materials. Thirty specimens of marble, calcarenite and sandstone were tested with steady methods (dry index and water absorption by capillarity), that validated the data provided by the two innovative IRT techniques

Focus on soluble salts transport phenomena: the study cases of Leonardo mural paintings at Sala delle Asse (Milan)

The program of investigations on “Sala delle Asse”, which hosts a monochrome landscape attributed to Leonardo, in the Sforza Castle in Milan recently concluded the first step. Results of the analytical tests for the characterization of materials and their damages showed the high diffusion and concentration of nitrates and sulphates on the surface of the monochrome at the edge with the restoration mortars, on the right side of the north-western wall. On the base of the scientific literature and laboratory tests, the researchers identified a threshold of RH above which deliquescence of salts could easily occur. Microclimatic monitoring results informed that during the most humid days in spring, summer and fall, RH trespasses this threshold, with a frequency of about 30 events/year. After an accurate analysis of air temperature (T °C) and relative humidity (RH) resulted that the exterior changes especially affect the interior climate at some summer conditions as middle-high speed of wind and, especially, its direction due to some cracks and holes in the north western exterior wall of the hall

Evaluation and monitoring of water diffusion into stone porous materials by means of innovative IR thermography techniques

This paper shows the application of two innovative infrared thermography (IRT) methods for the evaluation of water transport phenomena through the outer layers of porous stone materials. An infrared camera monitored: a) the moisture stain due to the water absorption after having spilled a drop on the stone surface and b) the ”Moisture ring” around the damp surface after the contact between a soaked round sponge and the stone surface. The time of spreading and the geometric shape of the damped area depend on the porosity of the stone material and are useful to characterize the physical stone features. Monitoring the evolution of the moisture ring by IRT allows to implement and optimize the data coming from the water repellent products protocols with data coming from the “contact sponge measures”. Moreover, moisture ring test links IRT and laboratory tests characterizing the diffusion phenomena of liquid and water vapour in porous building materials. 30 specimens of marble, calcarenite and sandstone were tested with steady methods (dry index and water absorption by capillarity), that validated the data provided by the two innovative IRT techniques

EN 16883: Una norma per migliorare l'efficienza energetica degli edifici storici

La EN 16883 fornisce ai soggetti coinvolti nel processo di miglioramento del rendimento energetico di un edificio storico uno strumento per pianificare e selezionare le procedure più adeguate da seguir

Prolonging the Durability and Conservation of Historic Materials by Microclimatic Monitoring in the Archaeological Areas

Many factors have to be considered for the correct conservation of cultural heritage, in particular, the exposition of the object/site to open air, as the archaeological sites have. The risk factors can be intrinsic (durability of materials, construction and decorative techniques) and extrinsic (environmental and microclimatic conditions). The consideration of the conservation issue regarding the second has to take into account the effects the microclimatic parameters on the objects and the variation of microclimate for the use, as well as the modification due to the improvement of accessibility, safety and installations (for example plant and architecture addition/modification). In fact, the main objective of the conservation/fruition of the archaeological areas is achieving the project choices most integrated, functional and adequate to meet the needs of conservation. Monitoring and diagnostics are a necessary condition to be able to correctly define the design choices. The proposed contribution aims to specify how monitoring the microclimatic values play a fundamental role in the whole process of conservation, since the early study to the management of the site, to ensure the greater conservation and durability of the material and, ultimately, the best fruition at present and in the future

Restoration mortars at IRT: optical and hygroscopic properties of surfaces

Plaster finishing affects thermal and hygroscopical behaviour of the exterior layers ofmaterial. IRT application, active and passive approaches, is useful to localizeplasters which were superimposed by means of different tools (float, sponge, trowel,spatula)