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Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2024) | Viewed by 16280

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Schabowicz

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil Engineering W2/Z1, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: nondestructive testing of building materials and elements; ultrasonic tomography in civil engineering; analysis of CT images obtained with ultrasound; computer knowledge representation of building materials and elements using nondestructive testing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last years, we ran a successful Special Issue on:
“Non-destructive Testing of Materials in Civil Engineering” with 26 papers published
“Testing of Materials and Elements in Civil Engineering” with over 50 papers published
“Testing of Materials and Elements in Civil Engineering (2nd Edition)” with over 40 papers published.

Please click the following links for examples of earlier Special Issues:
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/non-destructive_testing
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/testing_civil_engineering
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materials/special_issues/testing_civil_engineering_2nd

The field of renovation problems in constructions and historic buildings is very broad and has spawned several fascinating engineering and scientific perspectives.

This new Special Issue is proposed and organized as a means to present recent developments in the field of renovation problems in constructions and historic buildings.

The articles highlighted in this Special Issue should relate to different aspects of the renovation problems in constructions and historic buildings.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue mainly focused on novel different renovation problems in constructions and historic buildings.

The topics of interest include but are not limited to:

the history and techniques of erecting buildings;
laser scanning in HDS technology;
diagnostics and monitoring;
the application of physicochemical methods in the surveying and conservation of historic buildings, archaeological artefacts, and works of art;
conservation doctrines and technologies;
theoretical analyses and experimental investigations;
repair and reinforcement techniques;
damp-proofing and water-proofing;
upgradings.

Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Schabowicz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

renovation
constructions
historic buildings
reinforcement techniques
conservation doctrines and technologies
diagnostics and monitoring

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 12000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Material Testing of Historic Bricks and Mortars in Degraded Masonry Structures

by Dariusz Bajno, Krzysztof Schabowicz and Agnieszka Grzybowska

Materials 2024, 17(13), 3192; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133192 - 29 Jun 2024

Viewed by 763

Abstract

The subject of this article is material research carried out on the ruins of a medieval castle located in west-central Poland. This facility was built at the beginning of the 15th century by the Order of St. John, and during its long life, it was subjected to many reconstructions. Unfortunately, in 1975, it was destroyed by fire. Since then, it has been left in a state of advanced ruin, exposed to climatic influences without any protection. The subject of the research was to assess the possibility of maintaining such buildings in a severely degraded condition while ensuring their technical efficiency. The article discusses a particular instance of “consolidation” applied to a structure in a state of historical, architectural, and structural ruin. After the diagnosis, it was determined that the structure should be safeguarded using a minimally invasive method. The purpose of these activities was to answer the question of whether the structure could be left to continue operating despite failing to meet the requirements of current standards and regulations while posing an additional danger to itself and the environment,. This goal was achieved by obtaining a considerable amount of data on the condition of the materials embedded in the masonry structure, thanks to which the initial parameters for conducting an assessment of the technical condition of the damaged masonry structure and evaluating the degree of its danger were developed. The results of the research and analysis carried out and described in this article can be used in other similar situations where saving national heritage objects through “artificial modern” strengthening will be unsafe and will lead to a loss of their authenticity. We still have a long way to go to develop a comprehensive method for “in situ” diagnosis of heterogeneous masonry structures, so we should use possible techniques and knowledge to conduct such assessments and propose rescue methods for historically valuable objects in a way that could minimize the damage and that can “easily” disappear from our surroundings. Each study should have a specific purpose, not only research but also a long-term perspective, making it possible to leave material for further research and analysis, including testing new research methods in real conditions of its installation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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19 pages, 11073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on 18th-Century Building Structures in Terms of Static Scheme Changes

by Monika Mackiewicz, Janusz Ryszard Krentowski, Kamil Zimiński and Aldona Skotnicka-Siepsiak

Materials 2023, 16(24), 7689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247689 - 18 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1118

Abstract

The evaluation of the technical condition of historic buildings that have operated for several hundred years is a complicated issue. Even buildings that are in very poor condition must be checked and assessed in terms of their further repair, strengthening, or compliance with conditions that allow the facility to be safely operated. Most 18th-century buildings have not survived to this day retaining their original arrangements and structural elements. Renovations and repair work in the past were often carried out using materials of uncertain quality, with repair work of different qualities and without detailed analysis or methodology, based only on the experience of the former builders. In historic structures, the character of the work of individual structural elements has often changed due to significant material degradation, the poor quality of repair work, or the loss of adequate support. When load transfers change, internal forces are redistributed, and, as a result, the static scheme changes. This article presents an overview of identified defects affecting the change in static schemes in historical building structures built in the 18th century, using the example of a historic building with a large number of aforementioned defects. The process of assessing the technical condition of the facility is presented, in which non-destructive testing (NDT) methods were used. Detailed computational analyses were carried out for the wooden roof truss structure, which had partially lost its support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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15 pages, 7399 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Description of Material Properties of Degraded and Damaged Segments of Multi-Leaf Masonry in Analyses of Large Three-Dimensional Structures

by Czesław Miedziałowski and Adam Walendziuk

Materials 2023, 16(11), 4076; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16114076 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1518

Abstract

This article focuses on the description of material properties of segments of masonry structures in three-dimensional analyses. It mainly considers degraded and damaged multi-leaf masonry walls. In the beginning, the causes of degradation and damage to masonry are described with examples. It was reported that the analysis of such structures is difficult due to the adequate description of the mechanical properties in the individual segments of the structure and the amount of computational cost of large three-dimensional structures. Next, a method of describing large fragments of masonry structures by means of macro-elements was proposed. The formulation of such macro-elements in three-dimensional and two-dimensional problems was given by introducing limits of variation in material parameters and damage of structures expressed by the limits of integration of macro-elements with specified internal structures. Then, it was stated that such macro-elements can be used to build computational models by the finite element method, which allows the analysis of the deformation–stress state, and at the same time, reduce the number of unknowns in such issues. A strategy for performing analyses and examples of practical applications in masonry analyses were proposed. It was reported that the results of the analyses can be used to plan the repairs and strengthening of structures. Finally, the conducted considerations and proposals were summarised, as well as examples of practical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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15 pages, 3190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fused Filament Fabrication and Computer Numerical Control Milling in Cultural Heritage Conservation

by Daniela Fico, Daniela Rizzo, Francesco Montagna and Carola Esposito Corcione

Materials 2023, 16(8), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16083038 - 12 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

This paper reports a comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of fused filament fabrication (FFF) and computer numerical control (CNC) milling, when applied to a specific case of conservation of cultural heritage: the reproduction of four missing columns of a 17th-century tabernacle. To make the replica prototypes, European pine wood (the original material) was used for CNC milling, while polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) was used for FFF printing. Neat materials were chemically and structurally characterized (FTIR, XRD, DSC, contact angle measurement, colorimetry, and bending tests) before and after artificial aging, in order to study their durability. The comparison showed that although both materials are subject to a decrease in crystallinity (an increase in amorphous bands in XRD diffractograms) and mechanical performance with aging, these characteristics are less evident in PETG (E = 1.13 ± 0.01 GPa and σ = 60.20 ± 2.11 MPa after aging), which retains water repellent (ca = 95.96 ± 5.56°) and colorimetric (∆E = 2.6) properties. Furthermore, the increase in flexural strain (%) in pine wood, from 3.71 ± 0.03% to 4.11 ± 0.02%, makes it not suitable for purpose. Both techniques were then used to produce the same column, showing that for this specific application CNC milling is quicker than FFF, but, at the same time, it is also much more expensive and produces a huge amount of waste material compared to FFF printing. Based on these results, it was assessed that FFF is more suitable for the replication of the specific column. For this reason, only the 3D-printed PETG column was used for the subsequent conservative restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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19 pages, 8650 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Historic Materials and Structures Due to the Aspect of Their Actual Challenges

by Dariusz Bajno, Agnieszka Grzybowska and Ireneusz Trzyński

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062302 - 13 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1275

Abstract

The subject of the article is to assess the suitability of over materials over a hundred years old that are embedded in historic building structures in conditions of contemporary utility challenges in residential and public buildings. It is based on an example of technical condition evaluation of a ceramic staircase erected in 1840 and a structure of two reinforced concrete staircases from the year 1910. As a part of in-situ and laboratory tests, the physical and mechanical parameters of unique historical materials (brick, concrete) were determined. Then the conditions for their incorporation were inventoried and determined in order to save the unique material and technical solutions used in the first half of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. The article is a summary of the research and analyzes carried out in terms of proper handling of historical materials, buildings and their elements that could still fulfill their original function and be a witness to the history of a certain era. Both a research case and an application case are described here. It will allow for the continuation of these studies directly in the facility, thus assessing the effectiveness and suitability of such methods for use in similar or other situations. The aim of this approach was to introduce a non-invasive reinforcing technique that would not change the valuable and authentic appearance of these historic structures. It would also not change their static schemes, and at the same time would ensure their proper load-bearing capacity, bearing in mind that the materials used here are not equivalent to current regulations and standards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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14 pages, 23034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Ceramic Tiles Produced Using Old Technology Applied on Historic Roofs—Possibilities and Challenges

by Krzysztof Ałykow, Łukasz Bednarz, Magdalena Piechówka-Mielnik, Magdalena Napiórkowska-Ałykow and Michał Krupa

Materials 2022, 15(21), 7835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217835 - 6 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2969

Abstract

In the case of historic buildings, especially those under protection, it is important to replace elements of the roof covering, while maintaining current technical standards, to meet the requirements of the conservator. The authors of the article present alternatives to commonly used solutions, based on their experience with replacing historic building roofing with ceramic tiles made according to the production and firing technology of the nineteenth century. They emphasize that the correct/specialized restoration of existing tiles in a building makes it possible to preserve and reuse them, which is in line with the principles of historic preservation. However, due to the preservation of the roof tiles, it is not always possible to revitalize them. As a solution to the problem, the use of clay roof tiles manufactured according to 19th-century firing technology, including handmade methods, is presented, which preserves the geometry of the historic roof tiles. The approach presented by the authors meets both the requirements of conservation theory and the building standards for roofing elements. Although it is much more expensive than the solutions currently commonly used that result from modern technical requirements and tile-manufacturing technology, in the case of objects of significant cultural heritage, it is a solution that meets modern technical requirements while not compromising the original appearance of the monument. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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14 pages, 3575 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostics of the RC Roofing Structure of the 100-Year-Old Municipal Theatre Facility

by Marta Kosior-Kazberuk, Janusz Ryszard Krentowski and Maciej Wardach

Materials 2022, 15(21), 7438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217438 - 23 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1449

Abstract

Reinforced concrete has been a widely used material for the construction of buildings for many decades. However, with the passage of time, the material characteristics and connection of structural elements gradually degrade. Development in measurement technology makes it possible to efficiently obtain data on the current state of the structure and material characteristics using non-destructive methods, with limited or no destructive testing. The paper presents the analysis of the condition of the reinforced concrete roof of a 100-year-old theatre building in terms of its further use after planned modernisation. The tests carried out in situ as well as the computational analysis of structure are described. Based on the test results, the current load-bearing capacity was assessed and the limit state conditions were checked. Limitations on the accuracy of the non-destructive test results in relation to the destructive test results were formulated. Options for the strengthening reinforced concrete beams with regard to structural and technological considerations were analysed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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16 pages, 10836 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of NDT Diagnostic Methods and Calculations in Assessing the Masonry Tower Crowned with the Steel Dome

by Krzysztof Grzyb, Łukasz Drobiec, Julia Blazy and Jakub Zając

Materials 2022, 15(20), 7196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15207196 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2036

Abstract

Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods are a diagnostic tool for evaluating the risk of failure or the need for repair and renovation. In analyzing constructions of high historical value, destructive diagnostic methods should be avoided. This study is a comprehensive NDT investigation of the masonry tower topped with a steel dome, a remnant of the overhead telecommunications network from the end of the 19th century. Visual inspection and research made it possible to assess the degree of damage to the structure. Stress–strain state analysis showed the sufficient load-bearing capacity of the steel dome. In addition, calculations have shown that the masonry tower is subjected to significant horizontal forces causing structure cracks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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11 pages, 4462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Biofilm on Selected Properties of Thin-Coat Mineral-Based Plasters on EPS Substrate

by Monika Dybowska-Józefiak and Maria Wesołowska

Materials 2022, 15(17), 5963; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175963 - 29 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1087

Abstract

This paper discusses changes in the microstructure and water absorption of thin-coat mineral-based plasters after prolonged exposure to the external environment and infected with biological corrosion. The results of laboratory and field tests for external thermal insulation composite system Styrofoam-based plasters are presented. The test samples were taken after 6 years of exposure to the external environment. The microstructure parameters such as porosity distribution and water absorption of the plasters were evaluated. The pore size ranges that were sensitive to frost corrosion and capillary flow were separated in the porosity distribution. Based on the porosity and absorption changes, it was found that biological corrosion interferes with the microstructure of the thin-coat mineral-based plasters on the expanded polystyrene substrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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9 pages, 1707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Frost Impact on Traditional Ceramic Building Materials Utilized in Facing Walls

by Anna Kaczmarek and Maria Wesołowska

Materials 2022, 15(16), 5653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165653 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1377

Abstract

This paper takes into consideration the performance of traditional bricks as part of a building exterior wall finish. Exterior wall materials change their properties when exposed to external environment. This process is extended over time and its intensity is closely related to microstructure, moisture and freeze–thaw cycles. Two methods of freeze–thaw durability tests were used in this study: standard and defined by the authors. The authors’ method incorporated the actual conditions of masonry unit function in exterior wall finish, i.e., cyclical effects of precipitation water, changes in temperature and air humidity. The laboratory test study included 50 freeze–thaw cycles. Three characteristic ranges of pore dimensions were indicated in the analysis: below 0.1 µm, between 0.1 and 3.0 µm and above 3 µm. Based on the method of freeze–thaw durability testing, the areas of microstructure changes were determined. The obtained results were related to the absorption of ceramic building materials. The authors’ method confirms the usage of traditional ceramic building materials designed for use in protected walls against water penetration in unprotected exterior wall finish. The critical water saturation method of masonry units (standard) based on extreme environmental conditions generates significant changes in porosity distribution that do not reflect real, i.e., moderate, conditions. This method is appropriate for masonry units operating in severe conditions, i.e., F2. The aim of this study is to suggest a methodology for durability tests of traditional ceramic masonry units to cyclic freezing and thawing, which are only exposed to F1 (moderate) conditions during operation. Changes in the microstructure of the ceramic building materials were used as the primary evaluation criterion. In order to determine the effect of cyclic temperature changes, the freeze–thaw durability test was performed according to generally accepted standard procedures and in-house methodology. The purpose of the study is to point out the individual approach for the analysis of the material–environment system. At the same time, it should inspire researchers to innovative methods which use external conditions in a laboratory environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renovation Problems in Constructions and Historic Buildings)

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