This book identifies novel advanced materials that can be utilized as protective agents for the preservation of stone. The innovative solutions to stone conservation presented here result in increased sustainability, reduced environmental impact, and increased social and economic benefits. It provides an overview of recent trends and progress in advanced materials applied to stone protection. It also explores the scientific principles behind these advanced materials and discusses their applications to diff erent types of stone preservation efforts. Essential information as well as knowledge on the availability and applicability of advanced nanostructured materials is also provided, with focus placed on the practical aspects of stone protection. Th e book highlights an interdisciplinary eff ort regarding novel applications of nanostructured materials in the advancement of stone protection. It provides insight towards forthcoming developments in the fi eld. Advanced nanostructured materials are designed and developed with the aim of being chemically, physically, and mechanically compatible with stone. Advanced materials for stone conservation that are characterized by several functional properties are considered in this book. These include the physico-chemical, protective, and morphological properties, eco-toxicity, and mechanisms of degradation. The authors present a thorough overview of cutting–edge discoveries, detailed information on recent technological developments, breakthroughs in novel nanomaterials, utilization strategies for applications in cultural heritage, and the current status and future outlook of the topic to address a wide range of scientific communities.

First published in 1996, this volume has been substantially updated to reflect new research in the conservation of stone monuments, sculpture, and archaeological sites.

This series includes monographs, research results, and state-of-the-art reviews of conservation literature by Institute staff and others.Discusses the types and causes of stone biodeterioration in hot and humid climates, preventive and remedial methods, selection of chemical treatments, status of current research, and areas for further investigation.

Stone is one of the oldest building materials, and its conservation ranks as one of the most challenging in the field. The use of alkoxysilanes in the conservation of stone can be traced as far back as 1861, when A. W. von Hoffman suggested their use for the deteriorating limestone on the Houses of Parliament in London. Alkoxysilane-based formulations have since become the material of choice for the consolidation of stone outdoors.^l This volume, the first to cover comprehensively alkoxysilanes in stone consolidation, synthesizes the subject's vast and extensive literature, which ranges from production of alkoxysilanes in the nineteenth century to the extensive contributions from sol-gel science in the 1980s and 90s. Included are a historical overview, an annotated bibliography, and discussions of the following topics: the chemistry and physics of alkoxysilanes and their gels; the influence of stone type; commercial and noncommercial formulations; practice; lab and field evaluation of service life; and recent developments. This book is designed for conservators, scientists, and preservation architects in the field of stone conservation and will also serve as an indispensable introduction to the subject for students of art conservation and historic preservation.

This book presents a review of research on the use of epoxy resins as consolidants for sculpture and buildings. It deals with both the methods and materials used by conservators, focusing on a detailed chemistry of the materials as well as the practical methods of application. Epoxy resins have been widely used as structural adhesives to repair cracks in commercial and historic buildings, but the application of this technology to the stabilization of fragile stone has generally failed. However, the proper formulation of epoxy systems with solvents has solved problems of viscosity, penetration, crust formation, and discoloration, leading to two different schools of treatment detailed in the publication. Conservators in Europe have concentrated on the treatment of statuary and isolated sections of structures, with alcohol solutions of the resins maintained in contact with the surface for a period of time in order to get deep penetration. In the United States, treatment has focused on stabilizing entire structures or major portions of buildings by spraying them with acetone solutions of epoxy resins. The various techniques of application are discussed and evaluated. The book seeks to provide an expanded inventory of these different techniques allowing the conservator to make informed judgments.

Over the concluding decades of the twentieth century, the historic preservation community increasingly turned its attention to modern buildings, including bungalows from the 1930s, gas stations and diners from the 1940s, and office buildings and architectural homes from the 1950s. Conservation efforts, however, were often hampered by a lack of technical information about the products used in these structures, and to fill this gap Twentieth-Century Building Materials was developed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service and first published in 1995. Now, this invaluable guide is being reissued—with a new preface by the book’s original editor. With more than 250 illustrations, including a full-color photographic essay, the volume remains an indispensable reference on the history and conservation of modern building materials. Thirty-seven essays written by leading experts offer insights into the history, manufacturing processes, and uses of a wide range of materials, including glass block, aluminum, plywood, linoleum, and gypsum board. Readers will also learn about how these materials perform over time and discover valuable conservation and repair techniques. Bibliographies and sources for further research complete the volume. The book is intended for a wide range of conservation professionals including architects, engineers, conservators, and material scientists engaged in the conservation of modern buildings, as well as scholars in related disciplines.

This book is based on Dr. Torraca's 2002 publication, Lezioni di scienza e tecnologia dei materiali per restauro dei monumenti. The English-language Lectures includes new and updated material. An excellent resource for architectural conservators, engineers, and conservation scientists.

The conservation and protection of buildings that constitute our cultural heritage are complex tasks calling for a comprehensive knowledge of the historical background of the buildings, as well as the construction technologies and materials used. Nanomaterials in Architecture and Art Conservation gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of using nanomaterials in conservation sciences, mainly for stone, mortar and plaster strengthening, but also for the consolidation of wall paintings. The book compiles and details deterioration mechanisms of stone and historical mortars, as well as methods of characterising and testing consolidation effects. The non- or semi-destructive characterisation methods that will be presented allow additional measurements to characterise objects before and after any interventions. Besides, general aspects of inorganic consolidants are targeted. The focus, in particular, is the application of nanolime as a new consolidation agent. Basic characteristics and application advices as well as beneficial combinations with other consolidation agents, such as silicic acid esters, are emphasised. What makes this book so special is the large number of practical applications described from the viewpoint of different restorers, offering a direct inside view of the procedure for the conservation of historical monuments. Restorers dealing with stone, mortar and plaster conservation; artists; advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students of conservation science, art and nanotechnology; offices for the protection of monuments and heritage agencies; and researchers in materials science, conservation, nanotechnology and chemistry, especially those with an interest in applied sciences, will find this book a great reference.

When the J. Paul Getty Museum received 28 sculptures from the collection of Ray & Fran Stark, it found itself suddenly in the forefront of the evolving field of outdoor sculpture conservation. This volume charts presents an account of the challenges & how the J. Paul Getty Museum staff met them.

The design of treatments for the conservation of stone in historical buildings and works of art is a challenging task, as a deep understanding of the working properties and performance of the available products and methods is required to tackle complex decay patterns. The chapters in this book illustrate the state of the art on traditional and innovative materials and methods for stone conservation, examining current trends and future perspectives. Each of them is focused on describing the consequent phases that complement the spectrum of the conservation intervention: preliminary investigations, condition assessment, and mapping of the deterioration patterns; surface cleaning, with a specific focus on laser technology; consolidation; protection; repair mortars and grouts; and onsite assessment and monitoring of conservation treatments. The performance of the applied conservation interventions is criticized and discussed with an aim of providing the specialists with specific tools for stone conservation. This book intends to bridge the gap between laboratory studies and conservation interventions, by linking together the diverse scientific areas involved in the preservation of stone heritage. Different case studies are included, highlighting specific conservation challenges and their solutions in order to understand and overcome them. The aim is to guide conservators, conservation scientists and heritage stakeholders in the selection of compatible and sustainable materials and techniques for Conserving Stone Heritage.