Analysis of Biodeteriogens on Architectural Heritage. An Approach of Applied Botany on a Gothic Building in Southern Italy

The degradation of stone materials depends on several interlinked factors. The effects caused by biodeteriogens on mineral-based substrates are now increasingly considered in the field of cultural heritage conservation from different experimental approaches. In this study, biodeteriogenic micro- and macroflora within the gothic building of Santa Maria della Pietà, Squillace, Calabria, have been analyzed using multiple approaches, such as optical microscopy and molecular techniques. All 17 plant species detected are usually widespread in Mediterranean regions and some of these, such as Ailanthus altissima and Ficus carica, showed a very high hazard index, which is potentially dangerous for masonry stability. Fungi, cyanobacteria, and green algae were identified within biofilm compositions in a total of 23 different taxa, showing many similarities with microbial associations commonly found in cave and hypogean environments. All of the 11 fungal taxa detected belong to Ascomycota phylum, with Penicillium as the most represented genus. Photoautotrophic organisms are mostly represented by filamentous genera, with widespread presence of Leptolyngbya as the most abundant genus. The results highlighted how the singular environmental conditions of the study site, combined with the architectural features and the building materials, determined all the degradation phenomena affecting the building’s internal surfaces, compromising over time the structural integrity.

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Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials from Mayo-Kebbi region, Chad

Radioprotection ◽

10.1051/radiopro/2018030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 265-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Penabei ◽

D. Bongue ◽

P. Maleka ◽

T. Dlamini ◽

Saïdou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Radiological Hazards ◽

Radiation Hazard Index

In order to assess the levels of natural radioactivity and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials of the Mayo-Kebbi region (Chad), a total of nineteen samples were collected on the field. Using a high resolution γ-ray spectrometry system, the activity concentrations of radium (226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) in these samples have been determined. The measured average activity concentrations range from 0.56 ± 0.37 Bq kg−1 to 435 ± 7 Bq kg−1, 1.3 ± 0.6 Bq kg−1 to 50.6 ± 1.1 Bq kg−1 and 4.3 ± 2.0 Bq kg−1 to 840 ± 9 Bq kg−1, for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The highest 226Ra average activities is found in soil brick samples of Zabili. The highest mean value of 232Th and 40K concentrations are found in soil brick samples of Madajang. The activity concentration and the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) have been compared to other studies done elsewhere in the world. Their average values are lower than most of those of countries with which the comparison has been made. Were also evaluated, the external radiation hazard index, the internal radiation hazard index, the indoor air absorbed dose rate, the outdoor air absorbed dose rate, the activity utilization index, the annual effective dose, the annual gonadal dose equivalent, the representative level index, as well as, the excess lifetime cancer risk. In accordance with the criterion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, our results show that soil brick samples of Zabili and Madajang increases the risk of radiation exposure, thereby the possibility of developing cancer by people living in this environment. Based on these findings, brick samples from Zabili and Madajang are not recommended for construction purposes. All other sample materials have properties that are acceptable for use as building materials in terms of radiation hazard.

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Damage of Reinforced Concrete Structures due to Steel Corrosion

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1111.187 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1111 ◽

pp. 187-192

Author(s):

Corina Sosdean ◽

Liviu Marsavina ◽

Geert de Schutter

Keyword(s):

Reinforced Concrete ◽

Building Materials ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Colorimetric Method ◽

Concrete Structures ◽

Steel Corrosion ◽

Degradation Process ◽

Reinforced Concrete Structures ◽

Chloride Ingress ◽

Rc Structures

Reinforced concrete (RC) became one of the most widely used modern building materials. In the last decades a great interest has been shown in studying reinforcement corrosion as it became one of the main factors of degradation and loss of structural integrity of RC structures. The degradation process is accelerated in the case of RC structures situated in aggressive environments like marine environments or subjected to de-icing salts. In this paper it is shown how steel corrosion of the embedded rebars occurs and how this affects the service life of reinforced concrete structures. Also, an experimental study regarding the combined effect of carbonation and chloride ingress was realized. Samples with and without rebars were drilled from a RC slab which was stored in the laboratory for two years. Non-steady state migration tests were realized in order to determine the chloride profile, while the carbonation depth was measured using the colorimetric method based on phenolphthalein spraying. It was concluded that carbonation has a significant effect on chloride ingress, increasing it.

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Measurement of NORM in Building Materials to Assess Radiological Hazards to Human Health and Develop the Standard Guidelines for Residents in Thailand: Case Study in Sand Samples Collected from Seven Northeastern Thailand Provinces

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12081024 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1024

Author(s):

Phachirarat Sola ◽

Uthaiwan Injarean ◽

Roppon Picha ◽

Chutima Kranrod ◽

Chunyapuk Kukusamude ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity ◽

Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Dose Rates ◽

External Hazard Index ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Standard Guideline ◽

Northeastern Thailand

A total of 223 sand samples collected from seven provinces in Northeastern Thailand were analyzed for their gamma radioactivity from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and the data were used to calculate the concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40. Radiological safety indicators such as the indoor external dose rates (Din), the annual indoor effective dose (Ein), the activity concentration index (I), the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex), the internal haphazard index (Hin), and the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The activity concentrations were found to be 36 ± 10 Bq/kg for Ra-226, 2.64 ± 0.58 Bq/kg for Th-232, and 323 ± 168 Bq/kg for K-40. Din is 62 ± 23 nGy/h. The Ein is 0.30 ± 0.11 mSv/y. The activity concentrations and other indicators were reported by each province and compared with the safety standards and are found to be within the safe limits in this study. The results can be used to develop the standard guideline levels for choosing building materials in Thailand.

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A SUSTAINABLE HOMESTEAD PROTOTYPE IN SUNDARBANS Disaster adaptability through alternative building materials

10.31705/faru.2021.28 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

R.H. Bhuiyan ◽

◽

S. Shirin ◽

K. Paul Shourov ◽

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Adaptive Strategy ◽

Structural Flexibility ◽

Existing Building ◽

Coastal Defense ◽

Housing Materials ◽

Biogas Energy ◽

Waste Drums

Sundarbans as the primary coastal defense of Bangladesh against various natural disaster encounters recurrent homelessness due to these calamities, resulting in cutting down forests for housing materials from the only nearby resource. The traditional vernacular practice and socio-cultural studies show a symbiotic relationship between the forest and inhabitants, but the ecological imbalance created by climate change made life difficult for them, whose livelihood solely depends on the forest as well. The inability to reuse the building materials any disaster causes an ever-increasing cycle of carbon footprint. Regarding these, the non-experimental research aims to build such a homestead prototype that creates an adaptable solution. The existing building practices consist of non-reusable materials, poor structural integrity, and lack of sustainable approaches, thus unfit to withstand the increasing disasters and calamities. The approach discussed here utilizes plastic waste, drums, bamboo for disaster adaptability, structural flexibility, rainwater harvesting, solar, and biogas energy for a sustainable lifestyle. So, the goal is to provide a sustainable solution for the economically challenged population. This prototype creates an adaptive strategy for mitigating the disastrous events in Sundarbans to promote resilience and sustainability.

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Natural radioactivity and radiological hazard of red-clay brick produced in Shangluo, China

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection ◽

10.2298/ntrp2004347z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 347-353

Author(s):

Sukai Zhuang ◽

Xinwei Lu

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Radiological Hazard ◽

Clay Brick ◽

Red Clay ◽

Clay Bricks ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Red Clay Brick

The radiological hazard of building materials originating from clay, rock and other mineral wastes has attracted more attention because they contain natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K). The activity concentration of radionuclides in red-clay brick samples obtained from three different brickyards in Shangluo, China waHs measured. Various indexes, including radium equivalent activities, Raeq, external hazard index, Hex, internal hazard index, Hin, indoor air absorbed dose rate, D, and annual effective dose, AED, of the aforementioned radionuclides in the bricks were used to assess the radiation hazard for people. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were respectively 34.5 ? 1.9, 62.5 ? 2.1, and 713.7 ? 19.8 Bqkg?1 for the studied red-clay bricks. The Raeq values of the red-clay brick samples varied from 167.0 to 184.7 Bqkg?1, which are lower than the limit of 370 Bqkg?1. Moreover, the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in unfired brick, clay and coal were also determined and the results were compared with that in the red-clay brick samples. This study shows that the red-clay bricks produced in Shangluo, China can be used safely in construction industries.

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DETERMINATION OF RADON AND NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN SOME BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN IZMIR, TURKEY

Journal of Green Building ◽

10.3992/1943-4618.15.1.107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 107-118

Author(s):

Daniel Hatungimana ◽

Caner Taşköprü ◽

Mutlu İçhedef ◽

Müslim Murat Saç ◽

Şemsi Yazıcı ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Gamma Spectroscopy ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Dose Rates ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Materials Used

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the radon and natural radioactivity concentrations of some building materials and to assess the radiation hazard associated with those mortar materials when they are used in the construction of dwellings. Radon measurements were realized by using LR-115 Type 2 solid state nuclear track detectors. Radon activity concentrations of these materials were found to vary between 130.00 ± 11.40 and 1604.06 ± 40.5 Bq m−3. The natural radioactivity in selected mortar materials was analyzed by using scintillation gamma spectroscopy. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for the studied mortar materials ranged from ND to 48.5 ± 7.0 Bq kg−1, ND to 41.0 ± 6.4 Bq kg−1 and ND to 720.4 ± 26.8 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent activities, external and internal hazard indexes, gamma and alpha indexes and absorbed gamma dose rates were calculated to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in studied samples. The calculated Raeq values of all samples were found to be lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg−1 set for building materials. The estimated hazard index values were found to be under the unity and the absorbed dose rate values were also below the worldwide average of 84 nGy h−1.

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The Plaka Bridge in Epirus: An Evaluation of New Building Materials for Its Restoration

Heritage ◽

10.3390/heritage2020074 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 1136-1159

Author(s):

Maria Apostolopoulou ◽

Ioannis Nikolaidis ◽

Iakovos Grillakis ◽

Myrto Kalofonou ◽

Vasileios Keramidas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cultural Heritage ◽

Heavy Rainfall ◽

Building Materials ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Mechanical Performance ◽

Building Stone ◽

Historical Building ◽

Historical Materials ◽

Important Landmark

The sustainable preservation of monuments requires the use of performing materials which are at the same time compatible with the monument’s historical building materials to ensure structural integrity, adequate performance of the structure in earthquake stresses, and resilience of both restoration and historical materials. This is especially true for cultural heritage assets that have experienced major destruction, demanding extensive reconstruction. The Plaka Bridge in Epirus, Greece, partially collapsed after a heavy rainfall in 2015. It was a supreme example of traditional stone bridge architecture of the region and an important landmark. In the present study, a potential restoration stone from a nearby quarry was examined in terms of compatibility in relation to the dominant historical building stone of the bridge, as well as in terms of mechanical performance, through a variety of in lab techniques. In addition, criteria were set for restoration mortars, taking into account the characteristics of the historical materials, as well as the environment of the bridge. The results of the study regarding the restoration stone and mortars are presented and assessed, in order to select the most appropriate restoration materials for Plaka Bridge in its upcoming restoration, aiming to enhance the overall resilience of the structure.

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Minero-Petrographic Characterization of Chianocco Marble Employed for Palazzo Madama Façade in Turin (Northwest Italy)

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11154229 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 4229 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Francesca Gambino ◽

Alessandro Borghi ◽

Anna d’Atri ◽

Luca Martire ◽

Martina Cavallo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Selective Dissolution ◽

Historical Buildings ◽

Trade Routes ◽

Subaerial Exposure ◽

Stone Materials ◽

Dolomitic Rock ◽

Baroque Era ◽

Ancient Times ◽

Materials Used

The study of ancient marble plays an important role in the interpretation of historical and archaeological sites and gives interesting information about building materials used in ancient times and their trade routes. The present work focuses on Chianocco marble that represents one of the most important ancient white marbles for cultural heritage exploited in the Piedmont region (Northwest Italy) and employed for the Palazzo Madama façade. A multi-analytical study based on petrographic (optical and scanning electron microscopy), electron microprobe, cathodoluminescence and stable isotope analyses was carried out on these marbles in order to perform an archaeometric study. Chianocco marble was used in Turin during the baroque era by the Savoy architect Filippo Juvarra (1678–1736) in historical buildings, such as the façade of the Palazzo Madama, the plinth of the façade of the town Cathedral and the columns (now plastered) of the portico of Piazza San Carlo. This stone is a dolomitic rock belonging to the Mesozoic cover of the Dora Maira Massif (Pennidic Unit). It shows a vuggy fabric characterized by a vacuolar texture due to tectonic brecciation and subsequent selective dissolution during subaerial exposure. This kind of research is useful to highlight the importance of the use of local stones as building materials and to investigate stone materials for the restoration and maintenance of historical buildings.

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EXPLORATION OF THE EASTERN GATE AND FORTRESS WALLS OF THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF SYGANAK

Iasaýı ýnıversıtetіnіń habarshysy ◽

10.47526/habarshy.vi1.374 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 30-40

Author(s):

K ZHETIBAYEV ◽

B SYZDYKOV ◽

M BAKHTYBAYEV ◽

M GURSOY

Keyword(s):

Field Data ◽

Building Materials ◽

Research Work ◽

The Political ◽

Archaeological Research ◽

Historical Sources ◽

Architectural Features ◽

History Of ◽

The City ◽

Syr Darya

The article, based on medieval historical sources and research conducted on the medieval city of Sygnak, provides a brief overview of the role and significance of the city in the history of the Kazakh nation.One of the major centers on the Great Silk Road, the most important city on the Syr Darya, Sygnak has long been a well-developed culture, economy, crafts and trade, agriculture and cattle breeding.In the XI–XIII centuries it was known as one of the centers of the Kypchak Khanate, in the XIV–XV centuries it was the capital of Ak Orda, and in the XV–XVI centuries it was the capital of the Kazakh Khanate, becoming the political and economic center of the khanate. The defensive system of the medieval city of Sygnak, including the fortified walls with gates, has not been sufficiently studied, therefore, within the framework of this topic, we decided to conduct research work, identify the specifics of the city's defensive system and introduce it into scientific circulation.The article examines the results of archaeological research carried out at the medieval settlement of Syganak, analyzes the architectural features of the eastern gates and fortress walls of the city, manufacturing technology and building materials. In addition, a comparative analysis of the Signak gate with the gates of medieval cities in the region was carried out and additional scientific conclusions were drawn. Based on field data obtained during the excavations, the chronology of the eastern gate and fortress walls was determined.

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Research of Guangxi Longsheng Zhuang Residential: Case Study of Longji Village

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.584-586.119 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 584-586 ◽

pp. 119-123

Author(s):

Da Yao Li ◽

Jiang He ◽

Yan Qing Li

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Living Conditions ◽

Building Structures ◽

Monsoon Climate ◽

Architectural Features ◽

Subtropical Monsoon Climate

Longji Zhuang village is a typical stem bar building villages, its mountainous subtropical monsoon climate as the main geographical terrain and climatic conditions, as well as unique ethnic customs of the local people's production and life have a profound affected. The paper through analysis of characteristics of Longji Zhuang village’s stem bar building , it’s architectural features and it’s building structures and building materials; to make a further understanding of the living conditions of the ancient Zhuang Village residential architectural forms and residents. Hoping to provide reference for the development of traditional residential of Zhuang people in Longji Village. Keywords: Guangxi, traditional residential of Zhuang people, the stem bar building,traditional architectural culture, Longsheng

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