Bank Material Study for the Restoration of Historical Monuments in Michoacán, Mexico

Abstract

Nowadays, most of the infrastructure building has inside its structural elements stony material. Over the years, the rocks have been widely used in construction, as stony material in a ceramic or cement matrix, or as a structural element in historical buildings. Physical characteristics are determined as: the present Humidity, Absorption, Density, specific Gravity, and mechanics as uni-axial Compression Resistance, besides Capillary Suction. We obtained images with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and we compared the physical and mechanical proofs with microphotographs. These studies help a restorer to use the rocks wisely and with the conviction that the rock is appropriate for the goals searched. The stony materials are found in a material bank called Comanja in Michoacán, Mexico.

Characterization of Adobe Blocks: Point-Load Assessment as a Complementary Study of Damaged Buildings and Samples

“…The guidelines followed for the fulfilment of the test were the ASTM standards, and the previous experience with the PLT procedure in the materials laboratory [69][70][71]. The samples of fragments of adobes were measured and listed before the trial was performed,…”

“…Another interesting aspect of the test is to observe the rupture mode of the fragments, finding relations between the composition of adobes, their morphology, size, fibers and aggregates distribution (See Figure 10). The guidelines followed for the fulfilment of the test were the ASTM standards, and the previous experience with the PLT procedure in the materials laboratory [69][70][71]. The samples of fragments of adobes were measured and listed before the trial was performed, recording the values of each piece.…”