The Conservation of Earthen Architectural Heritage in Seismic Areas

2010 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 65-77
Author(s):  
Julio Vargas Neumann
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Vulnerability ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Stone Masonry ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
The Past ◽  
Earthen Structures ◽  
Historical Monuments ◽  
Conservation Principles ◽  
Seismic Forces

The acceleration of climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters mean that there is an urgent need to adapt conservation strategies for architectural heritage to the world’s new demands and situations. This is particularly relevant for the most vulnerable constructions, such as earthen structures. Because of the dramatic effect that earthquakes can have on architecture, and especially on historical monuments, they have been studied for the past 50 years. Earthquakes divide the world in two very distinct geographic areas: seismic and non-seismic. The seismic vulnerability of earthen architectural heritage, such as earthen structures and mud mortar masonry, evidences in by how weak they are when compared to structures built using other construction materials (10 to 15 times weaker). Humanity’s past experience in the conservation of architectural heritage allows us to be aware of the need to improve and eventually perfect the existing conservation charters, which were discussed and signed in Europe in the last century. These charters do not make a distinction between heritage conservation in seismic and non-seismic areas. It is imperative to address this particular issue, as seismic forces can be too strong for earthen constructions to resist, which can lead to their irreparable collapse. Inspired by the Venice Charter and China´s principles as well as by more modern documents, such as the Burra, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Lausana Charters, researchers have tried to establish adequate and resistant conservation guidelines, based on achieving the best structural performance using a minimum permanent and reversible reinforcement. Although this involves causing some impact on the architectural heritage, it also means that human lives and buildings can be protected. The paper will provide real examples to illustrate these cases and will attempt to outline the conservation principles required to protect vulnerable structures, such as those earthen constructions or mud mortar brick or stone masonry built in seismic areas.

scholarly journals Review of the Methods for Strengthening and Retrofitting Cultural Heritage Structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Bira Wafaei Baneh ◽  
Koosha Wafaei Baneh
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Shear Capacity ◽  
Historical Monuments ◽  
History Of ◽  
Historical Sites ◽  
Traditional Construction ◽  
Seismic Forces ◽  
Low Shear

Referring to the fact that the history of each country is the identity of its people and the preservation of originality and culture is also considered as a social value, the maintenance of valuable historical monuments, which indicates the path to the growth of human civilization, is of particular importance. Each country is trying to prevent the destruction of its historic buildings and cultural heritage by applying various methods of reparation and retrofitting. Iran, as a country with an ancient civilization, is a heritage of many valuable historical monuments. Traditional construction materials included masonry materials such as clay and mud, stone, wood and brick, and due to the weakness in physical structure and their low shear capacity and tensile strength, these materials do not have strength for example against strong forces from earthquakes and are suffered heavy damages. Unfortunately, in our country, fundamental work has not been performed on historical sites and complexes so far, and practically, the measures have been taken without any improvement in the structural performance of the buildings. Using special technical and specialized methods, the seismic behavior of such buildings could be enhanced against the seismic forces caused by the earthquake, and minimize the damage on the historical buildings to the least possible extent by strengthening historical monuments. In this paper, by separating the components, we examine a number of strengthening methods belonging to each of them.

The Intervention of Earthen Heritage in Seismic Areas and the Conservation Charters

2010 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 727-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Vargas Neumann ◽  
Marcial Blondet ◽  
Carlos Iwaki
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Activity ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Stone Masonry ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Catholic University ◽  
Reinforced Earth ◽  
Recent Earthquakes

Earthquakes are recurring natural phenomena that cause cumulative damage to earth constructions that can lead to their collapse. The discovery of earthen architectural heritage in Peru, has led to the re-exposure of adobe buildings, increasing their vulnerability to seismic activity. How can we prevent protect them from further damage their loss and? Due to their gradual and progressive destruction, earth constructions located in seismic areas constitute a critical and unique case. The structural response of stone masonry joined with mud mortar depends on the weakest of their construction materials: earth. This paper presents the criteria for structural conservation of earthen architectural heritage and tools for seismic-resistant reinforcement developed by field experts during the last 25 years. The concepts of reinforced earth and liquid mud injection, developed by the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) with support from the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), are also included in this work. The article also analyzes recent cases of the re-intervention of earth monuments initially restored during the last century and re-destroyed by more recent earthquakes; offers solutions to this situation, ranging from the safest and friendliest to the most aggressive ones. Finally, I concludes expressing the urgent need to reassess the conservation criteria accepted by the International Charters ratified by ICOMOS and UNESCO regarding earthen architectural heritage located in seismic areas.

scholarly journals Review of the Methods for Strengthening and Retrofitting Cultural Heritage Structures

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 45-56
Author(s):  
Bira Wafaei Baneh ◽  
Koosha Wafaei Baneh Wafaei Baneh
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Shear Capacity ◽  
Historical Monuments ◽  
History Of ◽  
Historical Sites ◽  
Traditional Construction ◽  
Seismic Forces ◽  
Low Shear

Referring to the fact that the history of each country is the identity of its people and the preservation of originality and culture is also considered as a social value, the maintenance of valuable historical monuments, which indicates the path to the growth of human civilization, is of particular importance. Each country is trying to prevent the destruction of its historic buildings and cultural heritage by applying various methods of reparation and retrofitting. Iran, as a country with an ancient civilization, is a heritage of many valuable historical monuments. Traditional construction materials included masonry materials such as clay and mud, stone, wood and brick, and due to the weakness in physical structure and their low shear capacity and tensile strength, these materials do not have strength for example against strong forces from earthquakes and are suffered heavy damages. Unfortunately, in our country, fundamental work has not been performed on historical sites and complexes so far, and practically, the measures have been taken without any improvement in the structural performance of the buildings. Using special technical and specialized methods, the seismic behavior of such buildings could be enhanced against the seismic forces caused by the earthquake, and minimize the damage on the historical buildings to the least possible extent by strengthening historical monuments. In this paper, by separating the components, we examine a number of strengthening methods belonging to each of them.

scholarly journals Multi-Leaf Stone Masonry Walls in Egypt: A Legend

Heritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2763-2791
Author(s):  
Osama Amer ◽  
Danila Aita ◽  
Ezzeldin k. Mohamed ◽  
Akram Torky ◽  
Ashraf Shawky
Keyword(s):  
Construction Materials ◽  
Stone Masonry ◽  
Masonry Walls ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
Architectural Heritage ◽  
Construction Technique ◽  
Historic Masonry ◽  
Transversal Section ◽  
Materials Used

Multi-leaf stone masonry walls are a typical construction technique in architectural heritage in Egypt. The assessment, modeling, and strengthening of historic masonry walls of multi-leaf systems essentially require suitable knowledge of their construction technology, typology, geometrical characteristics, and the properties of their components. Within the current research project, a comprehensive structural survey of multiple-leaf walls of medieval historic buildings in Cairo was performed. The observation and statistical analyses allowed characterization of the transversal section of the surveyed walls, as well as examination and identification of the construction materials and techniques. The slenderness ratios of this type of wall, its blocks’ dimensions, the utilized connectivity between the inner and outer leaves, and leaves ratio were also investigated. Three construction hypotheses of multiple-leaf stone masonry walls are presented considering weak, thick, and monolithic core infill layers. The study’s objectives were to enlarge the knowledge of typology, morphology, and construction materials used in three-leaf masonry walls and provide a proper characterization as a prerequisite for determining the most suitable materials and techniques for further strengthening interventions.

The Politics of Memory: Rededicating Two Historical Monuments in Postwar Germany

2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-280
Author(s):  
Sam A. Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Politics Of Memory ◽  
Postwar Germany ◽  
The Past ◽  
Historical Monuments ◽  
Coffee Table

For much of the past two centuries German governments encouraged or even sponsored the construction of war monuments. By the turn of the twentieth century Germany was covered in more than a thousand such shrines, most of which had local or regional significance as places of annual celebration or commemoration. Government, media, and business all contributed to an elaborate hagiography of Germany's battles, war heroes, and martyrs, with monuments usually serving as the centerpieces. Millions of middle-class Germans attended or participated in commemoration ceremonies at war monuments all over the country, and/or filled their homes with souvenir trinkets, tableware, wall decorations, coffee-table books, and other quotidian items that reproduced images of the monuments or scenes from the events they memorialized.

A benchmarking approach to the progress of green materials and systems’ use in the UAE construction industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aly Elgayar ◽  
Salwa Mamoun Beheiry ◽  
Alaa Jabbar ◽  
Hamad Al Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Green Materials ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines

Purpose Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) introduced several green regulatory guidelines, federal decrees, and a considerable number of environmentally friendly initiatives. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the top green materials and systems used currently in the UAE construction industry as per the new laws dictate as well as see if professionals are switching over to incorporate more green materials, systems, and/or designs. Design/methodology/approach The work involved reviewing internationally popular green materials and systems for construction, developing a questionnaire based on the literature review, surveying professionals in the seven UAE emirates, and ranking the findings based on the relative importance index. Findings Findings found the top used green materials and system in the UAE’s construction industry. As well as identified that there is a communication gap between the design and implementation phases that is possibly hindering the use of more green materials and systems. Originality/value This study sets a baseline to measure the UAE’s progress over the coming years in terms of integrating more green construction materials, systems, methodologies, and trends.

The past, present and future of carbon labelling for construction materials – A review

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 160-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wu ◽  
Bo Xia ◽  
Josua Pienaar ◽  
Xianbo Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Construction Materials ◽  
The Past

scholarly journals Bio-based construction materials for a sustainable future

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rijk Block ◽  
Barbara Kuit ◽  
Torsten Schröder ◽  
Patrick Teuffel
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Flax Fibres ◽  
The Past ◽  
Natural Building ◽  
Paris Climate Agreement ◽  
Primary Materials

<p>The structural engineering community has a strong responsibility to contribute to a more efficient use of natural resources. Nowadays the construction industry is by far the most resource intense industry sector, approximately 40-50% of all primary raw materials are used, which raises the question about the architects and engineer’s accountability. In this context and as a result of the Paris Climate agreement the Dutch government defined the program “Nederland Circulair in 2050”, which states the ambition to use 50% less primary materials in 2030 and to have a full circular economy in 2050.</p><p>One possible approach to achieve these ambitious goals is the application of renewable, bio-based materials in the built environment and to replace traditional, typically cement-based, materials. Already in the past natural building materials, such as timber and bamboo have been used widely, but in recent years new materials came up and provide new opportunities to be used in the construction industry. The authors explored various alternatives, such as hemp and flax fibres, mycelium and lignin-based fibres for composite materials, which will be described with various experimental and realised case studies.</p>

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