Problems and Technical Issues in the Diagnosis, Conservation, and Rehabilitation of Structures of Historical Wooden Buildings with a Focus on Wooden Historic Buildings in Poland

This article discusses the problems and technical issues related to the conservation and rehabilitation of historic wooden structures. Showing the history of wooden construction in Europe and Poland, it analyzes the technical solutions used for the timber structure of buildings. The author highlights the leading technical and conservation issues arising from the principles of conservation of wooden heritage buildings, taking into account the role, importance, and proper implementation of diagnostics preceding conservation engineering activities. The article discusses interdisciplinary diagnostics developed by the author, an original method for assessing the revitalization capability of a historical building, which analyzes non-technical issues, including those relevant to conservation, in addition to the technical aspects of assessing the technical condition of a building. Based on engineering practice, problems and technical issues that often occur in the conservation process of wooden buildings, as well as in the broader process of their revitalization, are presented. They concern various engineering activities that must be implemented in this process according to the principles discussed

Evaluation of the revitalization capacity of the historic building as an example of interdisciplinary diagnostics

The revitalization process is an interdisciplinary process that combines many fields of economy and science. It is a set of urban planning, architectural and construction, economic, business, pro-social and pro-environment actions, which purpose is to lead the area out of a crisis situation. This is often done by restoring to the revitalized area its former utility function or creating a new one. In case of buildings, especially historic ones, located in the revitalized area, a key element of revitalization is their rehabilitation. The successful revitalization process requires adequate interdisciplinary diagnosis, taking into account not only the technical issues relating to the technical condition of the building, but also beyond technical issues arising from the principles of sustainable development. The revitalization capacity of the historic building is a set of features, properties and states defining the building, in terms of its construction, form, function, location, environmental, social and health values, defining opportunities and economic viability of planned revitalization, including all aspects of revitalization, also principles of sustainable development. The article discusses the methodologies for evaluation of the revitalization capacity of a historic building, on the example of interdisciplinary diagnostics of specific historic buildings located in Warsaw

A two-step approach for assessing the revitalization capability of historic buildings

The assessment of the revitalization capacity of historic buildings is an innovative method of interdisciplinary diagnostics, in which the condition of the building is analyzed in a context of a revitalization process. This context enforces an approach which takes into account nontechnical issues, the analysis of which gives the opportunity to draw up appropriate revitalization concepts. These issues are usually described in communal revitalization programs, taking into account social, educational and health problems of the local community. Properly carried out interdisciplinary diagnostics can show how non-technical problems can be solved by technical actions concerning a building located in a revitalized area. The two-step approach for assessing the revitalization capacity is aimed at showing the current state of the existing historic building, which has a certain potential in both technical and non-technical areas, which may directly affect the process of revitalization of the area in a crisis situation. In the first stage of the analysis, we obtain the values of partial factors - legal and formal state, historical and cultural value, structural aspects, impact on human, external environment, energy efficiency, innovation and impact on the local community factors. The difference between the acquired value of the factor and its maximum value shows a potential of the building concerning a given issue. Taking it into consideration, non-technical factors can be used to increase the building’s value by planning specific revitalization activities which utilize the building's potential. The article discusses the method of effectively shaping revitalization activities by raising the partial assessment factors

Interdisciplinary diagnostics in the process of revitalization of historic buildings, in terms of changing their function

Revitalization of historic buildings in crisis areas is a complex, interdisciplinary process that addresses not only the technical problems of buildings, but also the social, environmental, economic and cultural issues of the local community. Proper diagnosis of the dangers and social problems in the crisis area should be the basis for identifying new functionalities for this area. It should help to resolve the diagnosed problems, as well as to stimulate growth and revival in all spheres related to the life of the local community. The construction process, which results in the change of the function of the building and its adaptation to modern demands - technical, utility and formal, requires innovative interdisciplinary diagnostic methods. Each building, its structure and its components, has a certain adaptability that can be presented in a measurable and comparable manner. Evaluation of adaptability is a part of the expanded, interdisciplinary diagnostics of the historic building, which should be applied in the process of its revitalization. Determination of adaptability is an element of wider diagnostic procedures, which results in assessment of the revitalization capacity of a building

Stability of Treatment from Earth-Based Mortar in Conservation of Stone Structures in Tanais, Russia

Identification of materials, masonry elements, their shapes, physical and mechanical parameters and type of connection is crucial for the conservation works related to ancient masonry structures. In the case of the archaeological site where the research was carried out (Tanais in Russia), some irregular masonries made of limestone and earth-based mortar were stated. Such type of structures is a common finding during the archaeological excavations in the Black Sea basin carried out by the Division of Fundamental of Building of the Civil Engineering Faculty of the Warsaw University of Technology in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Warsaw and the Antiquity in Southeastern Europe Research Center. The structure of such walls is degraded to a large extent, has low strength, internal cohesion and, as a result—low durability. At the same time, due to their historical importance, proper conservation, as well as the development of the whole methodology for selecting the best composition of earth-based mortar, is of great importance. Presented in the article, research on earth-based mortars were carried out to determine the best way to strengthen them, using cement (creating an earth-based mortar stabilized with cement with the most appropriate recipe) and other substances available in the region where conservation works are carried out not only to improve the durability physical and mechanical parameters but also to achieve the desired esthetic effect in the form of a suitable tone together with the compatibility of repair mortar with the substrate and constitutes the primary stage of creating the whole methodology of selecting a proper composition of earth-based mortar for the conservation of ancient stone structures. In this stage, four criteria were taken into consideration: mechanical (compressive strength test), conservation (compatibility, reversibility, color, texture and surface profile), durability (freeze–thaw test, the appropriate finish of the surface, shrinkage, workability) and technological one (application of materials, technology and techniques available at the conservation area). Applied treatment was evaluated in the next two years of the conservation works. Parameters of repair earth-based mortar stabilized with cement fulfilled all of the above-mentioned requirements

Numeryczna weryfikacja drewnianych zabudowań grodu z wczesnej epoki żelaza w Biskupinie

Biskupin is one of the most recognizable archaeological site in Poland and Central Europe. The origins of the excavations dates back to year 1934 and had lasted almost continuously until 1974. In the framework of the grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage interdisciplinary team of scientists from Archaeological Museum in Biskupin and Warsaw University of Technology performed multi-dimensional analysis of the settlement. Based on the integrated vector documentation, resulting from the photographic documentation, numerical models of structural systems of main types of buildings and defensive rampart were prepared. The aim of the analysis was a verification of the earlier findings of archaeological and architectural researches. The analysis allowed to verify both the arrangement of individual parts of structure of buildings, their work and the interconnection, as well as the possible dimensions of the individual components.Jednym z najbardziej spektakularnych osiągnięć przedwojennej polskiej archeologii było odkrycie grodu z przełomu epoki brązu i wczesnej epoki żelaza w Biskupinie, stanowisko 4. Podstawowymi drewnianymi konstrukcjami kształtującymi zabudowę tego terenu były zewnętrzne ulice, falochrony, mury obronne, ulice wewnętrzne i budynki gospodarcze. Gród został zniszczony i odbudowany dwukrotnie podczas swojego istnienia. Badania dendrochronologiczne dowodzą, że większość materiału drewnianego użytego do budowy budynków ze starszej fazy osady została wycięta w latach 739-736 p.n.e. W ramach grantu Ministra Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego interdyscyplinarny zespół naukowców z Muzeum Archeologicznego w Biskupinie i Politechniki Warszawskiej przeprowadził wielowymiarową analizę zabudowy. Na podstawie zintegrowanej dokumentacji wektorowej, powstałej w oparciu o dokumentację fotograficzną, opracowano modele numeryczne układów konstrukcyjnych głównych typów budynków zarówno z etapu starszego, jak i młodszego oraz wału obronnego. Celem badań była identyfikacja i weryfikacja układów i rozwiązań konstrukcyjnych, określenie parametrów geometrycznych elementów tworzących układ konstrukcyjny wykorzystywany w budynkach kultury łużyckiej w Biskupinie jak i konstrukcji wału obronnego. Kolejnym celem była ocena wpływu warunków gruntowych na pracę konstrukcji nośnej analizowanych budynków. Ponadto oceniano wpływ niektórych rozwiązań konstrukcyjnych, takich jak wpływ sumików na sztywność przestrzenną budynku, wpływ ciągłości zabudowy i wpływ półpiętra na nośność wyboczeniową słupa wewnętrznego. Analizy przeprowadzono na modelu budynku przedstawionym w literaturze(Rys. 2), a także zrekonstruowanym na podstawie zachowanej dokumentacji

Approach to conservation of irregular stone masonry based on archaeological excavations in the Black Sea basin

The article presents and describes the methodology of conservation of masonry structures that are architectural monuments discovered as part of the work carried out during archaeological excavations. The authors' experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology, the National Museum in Warsaw and the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Center at the University of Warsaw. Examples of preserved masonry structures come from excavations located in the Black Sea area - from the archaeological site in Tyritake in Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula and Tanais near Rostov-on-Don in Russia. Works on masonry structures located in the area of archaeological excavations are characterized by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The basic technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric conditions and preparing the structure for possible exhibition in archaeological parks organized on the site of excavations. Environmental issues relate to local, social and economic conditions. The article presents the procedures that should be used in the conservation of these types of structures and presents the specific technological and material solutions used in the presented objects

Prace konserwatorskie w miasteczku archeologicznym w Tanais w latach 2016-2019

The article presents and describes the methodology of the conservation of stone structures that are architectural monuments discovered as part of the work carried out during archaeological excavations in Tanais. The authors’ experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology and the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Centre at the University of Warsaw. Examples of preserved masonry structures come from an excavation in Tanais near Rostov-on-Don. Works on stone structures located in the area of archaeological excavation are characterised by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The primary technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric conditions and preparing the structure for possible exhibition in archaeological parks organized on the site of excavations. The article presents the procedures that should be used to conserve this type of structure and the specific sustainable technological and material solutions used in the shown objects.W artykule przedstawiono i opisano metodologię konserwacji zabytkowych murów kamiennych będących zabytkami architektury odkrytych w ramach prac prowadzonych podczas wykopalisk archeologicznych w Tanais. Doświadczenia autorów przedstawione w artykule są wynikiem wieloletniej współpracy Wydziału Inżynierii Lądowej Politechniki Warszawskiej z Ośrodkiem Badań nad Starożytnością Europy Południowo-Wschodniej Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego. Przykłady zachowanych konstrukcji murowanych pochodzą z wykopalisk w Tanais koło Rostowa nad Donem. Prace przy obiektach kamiennych zlokalizowanych na terenie wykopalisk archeologicznych charakteryzują się wyjątkową specyfiką obejmującą zarówno kwestie formalne, wynikające z międzynarodowych norm i umów regulujących konserwację zabytków, jak również kwestie techniczne i środowiskowe. Do podstawowych zagadnień technicznych należy zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa dalszych prac wykopaliskowych, zabezpieczenie konstrukcji murowanych przed niszczącym działaniem warunków atmosferycznych oraz przygotowanie konstrukcji do ewentualnej ekspozycji w parkach archeologicznych organizowanych na terenie wykopalisk. W artykule przedstawiono procedury, jakie należy zastosować w celu konserwacji tego typu konstrukcji oraz rozwiązania technologiczne i materiałowe zastosowane w omawianych obiektach

Zalety zastosowania skaningu laserowego w badaniach zabytków architektonicznych na przykładzie stanowisk archeologicznych w Egipcie i Rosji

Every conservation works related to an ancient masonry structures should be preceded by an appropriate diagnostic. This should be understood as geometrical survey and various tests, which results with a proper analysis of the structure, identification of materials, technologies and techniques used during construction. The effective tool which could be used in this field is 3-D laser scanning. The digital image obtained as a result of scanning could be a proper base for a preservation programme, as well as help for creation of a precise digital models for a structural analysis. The examples of 3-D laser scanning application presented in the article are diagnostic works carried by the Division of Fundamentals of Building, Warsaw University of Technology, with the cooperation of Warsaw University, at the archaeological sites in Alexandria, Egypt and in Tanais, Rostov, Russia. Based on this works some most important advantages of laser scanning in identification, diagnostics and preservation of ancient architectural monuments was stated.Wszelkie działania konserwatorskie dotyczące starożytnych konstrukcji murowych powinny być poprzedzone dokładną diagnostyką. Można tutaj wyróżnić działania pomiarowe i różnorodne badania, mające na celu dokładną inwentaryzację analizowanej struktury oraz identyfikację materiałów, technologii i technik użytych w procesie wykonania, które często są współcześnie zapomniane, niestosowane lub zupełnie nieznane. Właściwa interpretacja otrzymanych wyników może przyczynić się do opracowania skutecznego programu konserwatorskiego, mogącego zawierać nie tylko działania zabezpieczające i wzmacniające, ale również rekonstrukcje, zarówno rzeczywiste jak i wirtualne. Efektem tych działań może być również stworzenie wirtualnego obrazu zabytku, zawierającego wszystkie dane o nim. Może to przyczynić się do zachowania zagrożonych obiektów światowego dziedzictwa kulturowego w rzeczywistości wirtualnej. Skutecznym narzędziem do tego typu diagnostyki jest skaning laserowy. Obraz numeryczny uzyskany ze skaningu, z wielością danych, które zawiera, jest podstawa stworzenia skutecznego programu konserwatorskiego, a także daje możliwość wykonania dokładnych, numerycznych modeli badanych konstrukcji, wykorzystywanych w obliczeniach statyczno-wytrzymałościowych. Może być również podstawą dokładnych wizualizacji i rekonstrukcji wirtualnych obiektu. [1]. Przykładem zastosowania skaningu są działania diagnostyczne prowadzone przez Zespół Budownictwa Ogólnego i Zrównoważonego Rozwoju Politechniki Warszawskiej, we współpracy z Uniwersytetem Warszawskim, na wykopaliskach w Aleksandrii w Egipcie i w Tanais pod Rostowem w Rosji

Conservation of irregular stone masonry in Tanais in Russia

The article presents and describes the conservation of masonry structures at archaeological site in Tanais near Rostov-on-Don in Russia. The authors' experiences presented in the article result from many years of cooperation between the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology and the Centre for Research on the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe at the University of Warsaw. Works on masonry structures located in the area of archaeological excavations are characterized by a unique specificity covering both formal issues, resulting from international standards and agreements regulating the conservation of historic buildings, as well as technical and environmental issues. The basic technical issues include ensuring the safety of further excavation works, protection of masonry structures against the destructive effects of atmospheric condition and preparing the structure for possible presentation in archaeological parks organized on the site of trenches. Environmental issues relate to local, social and economic conditions. The article presents the procedures that should be used in the maintenance of antique irregular masonry and presents the specific technological and material solutions used in the example objects