CIPA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey
Phase I. Visual Analysis and Documentation
The first thing to do in a damaged historical building is visual
analysis. It is necessary to observe where the original mortar is.
Since there is a possibility that the building may have had more
than one restoration, different materials and building techniques
can be found. Therefore, the original plaster or wall system
should be determined by removing the layers that belong to the
new period. While doing that, it is necessary to find and use the
documents that are related to the building. After determining the
original mortar and plaster, causes of damage and their types
should be drawn to seal and their pictures should be taken in the
light of visual analyses. The requirements of visual analysis and
documentation are summarized in Table 2. In addition to these
steps, factors that may lead to deterioration around the building
should be analyzed and documented.
I. Visual Analyses and Documentation
LI. Historical
Timeline
Chronological ordering of the previous
restorations by searching the historical
documents.
1.2. Mapping of the
Morphology of the
Deterioration
Mapping of the visually observed
damages on drawings, making legends
in accordance with damage types.
1.3. Mapping of the
Mortar, Plaster
Types
The drawing of the mortar and plaster
types determined on the building by
making a legend on the drawings.
Table 2. Requirements of visual analysis and documentation
Phase II: Experimental Research (Investigation)
Tnis phase consists of experimental systématique that can be
followed during the determination of mortar performance and
the production of repair mortar. The experimental work is
composed of two groups: l.In-situ / Non-destructive tests, 2.
Laboratory / Destructive tests. First, in order to make an in-situ
examination, non-destructives tests are conducted on mortar and
plaster which are found to be damaged during the observation.
Consequently, in order to determine the mixture of the new
repair mortar to be produced, samples should be taken and
laboratory experiments should be made.
II.l. Non-Destructive Test Methods (In Situ Tests)
Besides visual data, non-destructive-in-situ tests where
necessary should be conducted which can provide information
about the physical and mechanical properties of the mortar in
order to determine the level of deterioration. Such experiments
can be conducted with an attempt to remove any doubts about
the damage determination encountered during the visual
analysis. In addition they also constitute a sub-knowledge
accumulation for the required laboratory tests. These methods
are briefly explained in Table 3.
ILL Non-Destructive Experimental Methods
II.I.l.
Determination
of the amount
of water
absorption
With the help of “Carsten” type test tube, the
amount of water absorption is determined on
the surface of the original mortar.
II.1.2.
Determination
of the amount
of humidity
The amount of humidity of the mortar is
measured with the help of neutron sondage.
II.1.3.
Determination
With the help of a needle, the hardness of the
mortar is evaluated in accordance with the
of hardness
Mohs hardness scala.
II. 1.4.
Endoscopic
examination
In order to see the thickness and the level of
preservation of the mortar and plaster layers,
a hole is opened in the material and a camera
sent through the hole for observation (Croci,
G., 1998).
II.1.5.
Ultrasonic
examination
By measuring the sound transfer speed which
is sent from the ultrasonic device,
homogeneity and micro-cracks are
determined (Croci, G., 1998).
Table 3. Non-Destructive experimental methods that can be
applied on historical mortars
IL2. Destructive Test Methods (In Laboratory Tests)
Destructive test methods are used in order to design the mixture
ratios of the original mortar and to find its the current physico-
mechanical properties. These information will help us produce
the appropriate repair mortar. In order to conduct these
experiments in a laboratory, samples should be taken from
certain parts of the building in adequate amount and dimension
with the help of a professional device in a very delicate and
planned manner. Those samples are collected from different
parts of the building which are thought to be constructed or
repaired in different time periods. In order to understand the
behavior of the mortar underground and upperground, samples
should be taken from different levels (Gtile?, A., 1992). While
taking samples, they should be collected from varying
directions as well as from the structure and the surface layer of
the building. In the process of taking samples, the
photogrametric drawings prepared during the visual analysis
phase which depict the mortar and damage types shall be useful.
These drawings should show where each sample is taken from,
and information cards that contain detailed data about the
location of the samples should be prepared.
Sampl
e No.
Location
Functio
n
Timeline
Colour
Dama
ge
Type
Table 4. Example for preparing a sample card
II.2.1. The Determination of the Mixture Ratios of the
Original Mortar
Making a character analysis of the original mortar will serve to
prepare the design criteria of the repair mortar that will be
produced and help to design the current condition of the
building. The list of experiments which shall be realized in
making a character analysis is composed of: Minerology-
Petrography Analyses, Chemical Analyses, Physical and
Mechanical property tests, (shown in Fig.l). These experiments
serve to find the necessary parameters in order to produce the
material similar to the original one. Calculating the
binder/aggregate ratio, determination of binder types, the
dispersion of aggregate granulometry within the binder, the
mineorological definition of the aggregates, the presence of
organic matter, its properties and its ratio are among the list of
parameters that should be considered while producing the
material that shall be used in the restoration of historical
buildings (Teutonico, J.M., 1988).
