Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T06:53:12.642Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Assessment of Cleaning Conservation Interventions on Architectural Surfaces Using an Integrated Methodology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Antonia Moropoulou
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, Athens, Greece
Ekaterini T. Delegou
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, Athens, Greece
Nicolas P. Avdelidis
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, Athens, Greece
Maria Koui
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, Athens, Greece
Get access

Abstract

In this work, pilot cleaning interventions applied by a wet micro-blasting method on architectural surfaces of three historic buildings in marble and porous stone were evaluated in situ and in the laboratory. The investigation was performed on characteristic stone surfaces (marbles and porous stone) of the following historic buildings: Athens Academy and National Library of Greece in Athens center polluted urban environment and Bank of Greece in Piraeus marine environment. The materials of the facades were characterized, and the mechanism of decay was diagnosed. In addition, the cleaning method's efficiency was evaluated based on the acceptability of the alteration of the cleaned architectural surfaces. Criteria were both aesthetic and physico-chemical. In particular, the architectural surfaces were examined in situ by the means of fiber optic microscopy, infrared thermography and colorimetry. In the laboratory, methods of investigation were optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion by X-ray analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, conductivity and pH measurements. The majority of measurements and analyses were applied before and after the pilot cleaning interventions. Finally, the results of this study contribute to the development of an integrated methodology for the assessment of cleaning interventions applied on architectural surfaces.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Verges-Belmin, V., Journal of Technology for Cultural Heritage, 5, 1, (1996).Google Scholar
2. Lanterna, G. Matteini, M. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 1, S1, (2000).Google Scholar
3.ASTM D2244-93. Standard Test Method for Calculation of Color Differences from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates, (1993).Google Scholar
4. Delegou, E.T. Master Thesis, National Technical University of Athens, Greece, (2000).Google Scholar
5. Koller, M. The Getty Conservation Institute Newsletter, 15, 3, (2000).Google Scholar
6. Young, M.E. Ball, J. Laing, R.A. in Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Deterioration and Conservation of Stone, Venice, Italy, (2000), pp. 179186.Google Scholar