Recommendations for restoration of ancient buildings and the survival of a masonry chimney

In the last years significant developments occurred with respect to the possibilities of experimental and numerical analysis of ancient cultural heritage buildings. Such advances result from the societal growing concern about the preservation of this heritage, together with the evident cultural and economic importance of this activity. Recommendations for interventions in architectural heritage structures recently issued by ICOMOS are briefly reviewed here, with a discussion about the proposed methodology. Then, a case study is fully detailed, including the aspects of survey, advanced numerical analysis, diagnosis, justification of remedial measures and detailing of the adopted strengthening. The paper also advocates that significant information can be obtained from numerical analysis, namely with respect to the understanding of existing damage and to the minimum and adequate design of strengthening. A clear understanding of the structural behaviour, based on sophisticated tools of analysis, can therefore reduce the extent of the remedial measures in the restoration of ancient structures. In this case, a masonry chimney with severe damage is strengthened keeping the old fabric, as a significant example that ancient timber and masonry structural elements can often survive if appropriate methodologies for diagnosis and repair measures are adopted

Possibilidades actuais na utilização da alvenaria estrutural

O presente artigo aborda brevemente a evolução da alvenaria estrutural, das linhas de pressão ao funcionamento conjunto com paredes de contraventamento. Para a alvenaria estrutural moderna, discute-se a aplicação da alvenaria simples, alvenaria armada e alvenaria confinada num contexto de sismicidade baixa a elevada, apresentando soluções bem sucedidas em países desenvolvidos e em Portugal, bem como desenvolvimentos com potencial em curso

Conservation of cultural heritage buildings: methodology and application to case studies

Las sociedades modernas entienden su patrimonio cultural como un hito de cultura y diversidad. Sólo durante las últimas décadas la idea de que edificios antiguos podrían ser conservados y reutilizados se ha convertido en atractiva. Sin embargo, una gran parte de este patrimonio es afectado por problemas estructurales lo cual amenaza la seguridad de los edificios y personas. Los desarrollos en el área de inspección, ensayos no destructivos, seguimiento y análisis estructural de construcciones históricas, bien como recientes normas para reutilización y conservación, permiten medidas correctivas más seguras, económicas y adecuadas. El artículo aborda las metodologías adoptadas, en diferentes casos de estudio así como presentes desafíos. En particular, intervenciones recientes en casos de estudio en Portugal (Catedral de Porto y Seminario de Braga) son analizadas con detalle.Modern societies understand built cultural heritage as a landmark of culture and diversity. Only during the last decades the idea that ancient buildings could be conserved and reused became appealing. Still, a large part of this heritage is affected by structural problems which menace the safety of buildings and people. The developments in the areas of inspection, non-destructive testing, monitoring and structural analysis of historical constructions, together with recent guidelines for reuse and conservation, allow for safer, economical and more adequate remedial measures. The paper addresses the issues of the methodology to adopt, of different cases studies and of present challenges. In particular, recent interventions in Portuguese cases studies (the Cathedral of Porto and a theological school in Braga) are analyzed in detail

Conservation of cultural heritage buildings: methodology, practice and challenges

Las sociedades modernas entienden su patrimonio cultural como un hito de cultura y diversidad. Sólo durante las últimas décadas la idea de que edificios antiguos podrían ser conservados y reutilizados se ha convertido en atractiva. La política actual no solo es preservar si no también hacer de los edificios y toda la parte histórica de las ciudades en una parte viva, funcional y atractiva para sus habitantes y turistas. Sin embargo, una gran parte de este patrimonio es afectado por problemas estructurales lo cual amenaza la seguridad de los edificios y personas. Los países europeos han desarrollado una valiosa experiencia y conocimiento en el ámbito de la conservación. Grandes inversiones han sido concentradas en este campo, dando lugar a impresionantes desarrollos en el área de inspección, ensayos no destructivos, seguimiento y análisis estructural de construcciones históricas. Estos desarrollos, y recientes normas para reutilización y conservación, permiten medidas correctivas más seguras, económicas y adecuadas. El artículo aborda las metodologías adoptadas, en diferentes casos de estudio así como presentes desafíos.Only during the last decades the idea that ancient buildings could be conserved and reused became appealing. The present policy is not only to preserve but also to make buildings and the whole historic part of the cities alive, functioning and appealing to the inhabitants and to the tourists. Still, a large part of this heritage is affected by structural problems which menace the safety of buildings and people. European countries have developed a valuable experience and knowledge in the field of conservation. Large investments have been concentrated in this field, leading to impressive developments in the areas of inspection, non-destructive testing, monitoring and structural analysis of historical constructions. These developments, and recent guidelines for reuse and conservation, allow for safer, economical and more adequate remedial measures. The paper addresses the issues of the methodology to adopt, of different cases studies and of present challenges

Preservation-engineering education for masonry construction and structures

Is licensing for preservation engineering necessary or can anybody do it

Conservation of cultural heritage buildings: Methodology, research and applications

Proceedings 5th Symposium on Strengthening and Preservation of Historical Buildings and Cultural Heritage.Modern societies understand built cultural heritage as a landmark of culture and diversity. Only during the last decades the idea that ancient buildings could be conserved and reused became appealing. Still, a large part of this heritage is affected by structural problems which menace the safety of buildings and people. The developments in the areas of inspection, non-destructive testing, monitoring and structural analysis of historical constructions, together with recent guidelines for reuse and conservation, allow for safer, economical and more adequate remedial measures. The paper addresses the issues of the methodology to adopt, of different cases studies and of present challenges. In particular, recent interventions in Portuguese cases studies (the Cathedral of Porto and a theological school in Braga) are analyzed in detail

Computational strategies for masonry structures : multi-scale modeling, dynamics, engineering applications and other challenges

Masonry is a composite material that can be defined as a material incorporating a visible internal structure and having a low strength in tension. The latter characteristic has shaped most civil engineering structures up to the advent of reinforced concrete and iron/steel. Masonry is also present in most of our cultural heritage buildings, which are part of our identity and represent a key attractor for tourism, a major economical asset of Europe with 10% of the GDP. The paper will address different challenges: micro-modelling and homogenization techniques, which represent both a popular and active field on masonry research; dynamics and earthquake engineering, which remain far from being understood and challenge our modelling capacities. The presentation also addresses dynamic identification and inverse problems, or the art of a modelling engineer, as well as the engineering use of sophisticated numerical models, which provide significance to most of the problems addressed before

Applications des recommandations icomos sur la conservation de structures anciennes: de l'element constructif a la structure globale

L'intérêt de la communauté technique dans la conservation et la réhabilitation du patrimoine construit de valeur culturelle a augmenté énormément dans les dernières années. Des développements très significatifs se sont effectivement produits à l'égard de la capacité d'essais expérimentaux et simulations numériques sur le patrimoine et monuments historiques. Telles avances résultent d'une croissante prise de conscience de la part de la société concernant la nécessité de conservation de ce patrimoine, simultanément avec l'évidente importance culturelle et économique de cette activité. L'absence de normalisation pour déréglementer l'intervention dans ces structures rend difficile de forme évidente les interventions par lesquelles s'introduisent les recommandations ICOMOS récemment approuvées