S. Naldini

The stratified significance of a historic facade as a basis for a more durable conservation approach

Abstract In heritage conservation, a gap is often observed between the theory of conservation as a durable process that aims at the preservation of a historic building and the practice of restoration as a single intervention that aims at a fast and convincing result. This paper describes the proposed approach for the conservation of the main façade of the Shoemakers Chapel (in Dutch: Schoenmakerskapel) in Antwerp (Belgium), a listed monument since 1976. It serves as an example of how to develop a durable and realistic approach for the conservation of a sixteenth century façade. The basis for the conservation approach is the understanding that each intervention should take the stratified significance of the historic façade into account. In this paper, it will be shown how to combine a study of the façade from a technical point of view with an analysis of the façade as a carrier of cultural significance.

Definition of Structural Damage Patterns: A Structural Damage Atlas / Definition der Schadensmuster an Tragwerken: Ein Atlas der Tragwerksschäden

The paper proposes a Structural Damage Atlas. The atlas is to be part of the expert system MDDS (Monument Damage Diagnostic System) and is meant as a support for the identification and the explanation of structural damage. It contains a selection of well described and illustrated damage patterns, which may be formed by more than one damage type. They are ordered according to the most probable damaging process(es) causing them. The atlas serves as a reference for making sound hypotheses, which should be further supported by a thorough survey of the building, possibly tests, an analysis of the context in which the damage occurs and by information on the past and present state of the building.

Strukturelle Schäden in Mauerwerk: Beschreibung und Interpretation von Rissmustern, um die Schadensursache heraus zu finden / Structural Damage in Masonry, Description and Interpretation of Crack Patterns: Basis for Finding the Damage Causes

Before deciding on any repair technique for the conservation of damaged historic masonry structures a diagnosis based on experimental investigation and modelling has to be carried out. The first important step of this diagnosis is the survey and interpretation of the structural damages usually shown by a crack pattern. This operation is not always easy. In order to associate the damage symptoms to the damage causes it is necessary to describe the mechanical behaviour of masonry under different actions and to describe the possible causes of the structural damage. The aim of the paper is to define the basis for a structural damage atlas that will be further proposed as part of an expert system, MDDS, which has already been set up for the detection of physical damages to the masonry materials.

Ein System zum Charakterisieren von Schäden an Mauerwerk / The Masonry Damage Diagnostic System

The MDDS (Masonry Damage Diagnostic System) is an expert system for the evaluation of the deterioration of ancient brick masonry structures. A demo version was developed in an EC-Environment project. The system is centered on damage related to the interaction between materials (brick masonry, brick, mortars, plasters/renderings) and environmental factors. In order to meet the needs of the users MDDS can be further developed, including for example knowledge on natural stone. The system is meant for user groups like: national bodies in charge of the conservation of the cultural heritage, universities and restoration architects. An example of a complete diagnosis is given and commented. Ein System zum Charakterisieren von Schäden an Mauerwerk