China’s brick history and conservation: laboratory results of Shanghai samples from 19th to 20th century

Shu, Chang-Xue; Cantisani, Emma; Fratini, Fabio; Rasmussen, Kaare Lund; Rovero, Luisa; Stipo, Gianfranco; Vettori, Serena

doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.06.094

Cited by 22 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The main factor to manufacture these bricks is the clay raw material types used and the firing temperature during their production, because both of these affect the quality and durability of bricks (Mostaghelchi et al 2013;Rasmussen et al 2012;Dunham et al 2001;Dondi et al 1999). A large number of studies have been reported about the ancient brick structures and materials to foster their cultural and economic importance in different parts of the world (Šarić et al 2018;Amadori et al 2017;Shu et al 2017;Bartz & Chorowska 2016;Oguz et al 2014;Fernandes & Lourenço 2007;Cardiano et al 2004;Elert et al 2003;López-Arce et al 2003;Paama et al 2000).…”

Section: Introduction and Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ancient Clay Brick Samples of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Bhattarai

Ghale

Chapagain

et al. 2018

Tribhuvan University Journal

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Physical and mechanical properties of seven ancient clay brick samples of Kathmandu valley consisting of quartz, feldspars, spinel, margarite, muscovite type of mica mineral and hematite were studied using ASTM standards. All the brick samples used in this study have the water absorption, apparent porosity and bulk density in the range of 10-28 percent, 17-33 percent and 1.2-1.8 g/cm3, respectively, while the compressive strength of all the brick samples is found to be in the range of 5-23 MPa. The bulk density of the tile samples is found to be increased with decreasing the water absorption and apparent porosity. The compressive strength of all the clay brick samples can be correlated with their physical properties. Consequently, durability of the ancient bricks is directly influenced by their physical properties of water absorption, apparent porosity and bulk density.

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Section: Introduction and Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ancient Clay Brick Samples of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Bhattarai

Ghale

Chapagain

et al. 2018

Tribhuvan University Journal

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“…Therefore, depending on the physical state, the chemical structures and the properties of the desired information, the PXRD test parameters and data analysis methods may vary greatly. In the field of architectural heritage, PXRD is one of the cheapest and most reliable technique to identify crystalline phases both in natural and man-made materials such as mortars [243,244], bricks [245,246], pigments [18,233], building stones [247,248] and so on.…”

Section: Powder X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (Pxrd)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent progress in instrumental techniques for architectural heritage materials

et al. 2019

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Both conservation and intervention methods must be compatible with each other and appropriate for the original building materials. Therefore, the characterization of historic building materials is indispensable for investigating chemical composition, micro-structure and morphological features to study the current condition, environmental influence and change mechanism due to natural aging or man-made decay processes. Given the great variety of chemicals which can be analyzed, complex problems related to architectural heritage materials are investigated via optimized methodologies. Among the existing techniques, optical microscopy (OM) is an inexpensive and dominating tool to obtain preliminary information on complex samples. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can provide real three-dimensional topographies showing sample surface properties. Electron microscopes combined with energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EM-EDX) are the instruments specifically developed to acquire images of target materials at high magnification. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies are frequently used to characterize inorganic and organic compounds. Thermal analysis can rapidly and accurately measure changes in crystalline structure, dehydration and decomposition. X-ray based technologies have a wide range of applications as follows. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is one of the most frequently used techniques for elemental analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a fast and inexpensive technique for the characterization of man-made and natural materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is applied to quantify the valence and electronic levels of specific elements. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful technique for detecting the electronic structure of matter. UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy is also of great importance in architectural heritage, which can reveal different physicochemical mechanisms causing color. Laserinduced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) can effectively eliminate the pollution on the surface and detect the internal elements of the target material. Ion beam analysis can quantify trace elements with high sensitivity. Mass-based techniques are mainly applied to identify unknown organic substances at the molecular level. This review describes some classical applications of individual techniques and provides scientific support for scientists and engineers to make decisions in the context of architectural heritage.

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“…The traditional blue brick was the dominant clay brick used in both official and private buildings before the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, the blue brick has been gradually replaced by European red bricks and other modern products such as Portland cement [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When oxygen is insufficient or when water is added during the latter stage of the firing process, the biomass fuel and water will produce carbon monoxide or hydrogen, both of which can reduce Fe 3+ into Fe 2+ , thereby forming a blue brick. The firing temperatures, which directly affect the textural evolution, vitrification, pore size distribution (PSD) of the bricks, and thus the physico-mechanical properties and weathering resistance, also show some differences between red and blue bricks according to the literature [ 1 , 3 – 5 , 7 ]. For example, Elert et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The data regarding firing temperatures of Chinese blue bricks are limited in the literature, Shu et al . [ 1 ] studied 14 blue and red brick samples derived from four modern buildings (constructed between 1866 and 1935) in Shanghai, China and reported that the maximum firing temperature of blue bricks ranges from 600 to 800°C. The distinctions of brick-making environments (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics and weathering mechanisms of the traditional Chinese blue brick from the ancient city of Ping Yao

Liu

Zhang

2020

R. Soc. open sci.

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The traditional blue brick was the dominant clay brick used in Chinese architecture before the mid-nineteenth century. The ancient city of Ping Yao, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage site, is an outstanding example of blue brick architecture. The Ping Yao bricks within the damp areas (up to 4 m at highest) of the ancient city's walls and private houses are subjected to various weathering, including contour scaling, flaking, powdering and salt crystallization. This study aims to characterize the properties, analyse weathering mechanisms, determine the main weathering factors and discuss the anti-weathering strategies of blue bricks. To do so, samples of brick and salt efflorescence were collected from the historical buildings of Ping Yao and were studied with regard to their mineralogical and physico-mechanical (e.g. density, porosity, pore size distribution, water absorption and uniaxial compressive strength) properties. The resistance to salt crystallization and frost, and the maximum firing temperatures of the brick samples were determined in the laboratory. Weathering mechanisms and anti-weathering strategies were discussed. Salt crystallization and freeze–thaw cycles were found to be two important factors that lead to brick weathering. An anti-weathering strategy of ‘damp blocking, desalination and brick replacing’ was discussed based on the laboratory experiments, suggestions in literature and site conditions.

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China’s brick history and conservation: laboratory results of Shanghai samples from 19th to 20th century

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 publications

Study on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ancient Clay Brick Samples of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Study on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Ancient Clay Brick Samples of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Recent progress in instrumental techniques for architectural heritage materials

Characteristics and weathering mechanisms of the traditional Chinese blue brick from the ancient city of Ping Yao

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