Petrographic of limestone cultural heritage as the basis of a methodology to rock replacement and masonry assessment: Cartagena de indias case of study

Saba, Manuel; Hernandez-Romero, L.N.; Lizarazo-Marriaga, Juan; Quiñones-Bolaños, Édgar

doi:10.1016/j.cscm.2019.e00281

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The permeability of limestone blocks and mortars is an important factor in the durability of the masonry of the structure. Initially, rising dampness and moisture from the embankment behind the wall could escape mainly through the original lime-based mortars of the structure, being a more porous and permeable material than limestone [39,71]. Once the original mortars deteriorated due to weathering or biodeterioration, they were progressively replaced by common hydraulic mortars used in modern buildings.…”

Section: Aquarela Buildingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Critical Assessment of the Current State and Governance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Saba,

Chanchí Golondrino,

Torres-Gil

2023

Heritage

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The port, fortresses, and monuments of Cartagena were included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1984. Nevertheless, since 2017 they are threatened to be categorized as “in Danger” by UNESCO. This research analyzes two main critical aspects, governance and the current state of the site. This study applies an innovative interdisciplinary methodology that merges empirical and scientific approaches to evaluate the governance of Cartagena’s heritage (causes) and its impact on the current state of the tangible cultural heritage (effects). Methodologically, secondary information is used to study governance. The study aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the UNESCO site governance. Exemplary heritage management systems are studied to propose an adaptable management approach specifically for Cartagena. Over the past five years, qualitative data collected through field observations, along with a photographic report, have revealed significant issues stemming from insufficient heritage management. These problems have rarely been addressed in the existing literature. Furthermore, a quantitative approach was taken by analyzing hyperspectral images obtained from a previous study to identify vegetation and asbestos-cement roofs within the cultural heritage site. It takes a unique perspective by investigating the root causes rather than superficial issues. The study comprehensively analyzes various factors, including material degradation, vehicular traffic, environmental elements, urban structure, and architectural integrity, forming an interconnected framework with governance problems. This research offers a broader perspective that considers complex reality and goes beyond isolated problems and solutions. The study reveals that the ambiguity surrounding decision-making authority for heritage management, distributed between the Mayor’s Office and the Ministry of Culture, is a primary challenge. The lack of coordinated action significantly compromises the conservation and protection of the cultural heritage Site. Moreover, twelve current shortcomings of cultural heritage in Cartagena are identified through the authors’ five-year on-site regular visits, photographic reports, and observation. To address the prevailing concerns, a new line of command for cultural heritage management is proposed as the most effective means of tackling these challenges. Additionally, general recommendations are presented to mitigate the existing problems and prevent the classification of Cartagena’s heritage as “at risk” by UNESCO in the near future. Although, each problem identified would need a research project ad hoc to be fully addressed. This research provides a scientific perspective, drawing upon years of experience studying heritage and residing in the city, devoid of political influences or conflicts of interest.

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Section: Aquarela Buildingmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Critical Assessment of the Current State and Governance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Saba,

Chanchí Golondrino,

Torres-Gil

2023

Heritage

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“…Regardless of whether a strengthening system is to be applied or not, the masonry substrate should first be prepared and repaired to meet its initial constructive and appearance features [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. In Europe, an ample debate has been held for decades on the priority and significance of the selection criteria for the materials used in restoration work [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. On one side are the research teams who promote the traditional approach, devoted to saving the construction authenticity either by preserving the original materials or, in severe cases, entirely replicating the original structural system with initially used materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sourcing Limestone Masonry for the Restoration of Heritage Buildings: Frumoasa Monastery Case Study

et al. 2022

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Cultural and religious heritage assessments and restorations are considered to be a fundamental requirement of any modern society because these constructions represent one of the most meaningful and tangible connections to our past. With rare exceptions, heritage buildings were built with materials and systems that could bear gravitational loads but not bending and shearing resulting from seismic loading. Thus, in many cases, earthquake ground motions have led to severe degradation and even the collapse of various parts of these structural systems. In order to address these issues, repair and replacement techniques are applied as common parts of restoration work. In the peculiar case of stone masonry structures, a standalone macroscopic examination is not self-assured and, most often, can lead to an inadequate selection of a replacement material. Therefore, a knowledge of mesoscopic, petrographic, physical and mechanical properties is compulsory in the design, planning and execution of restoration work. From this perspective, the present research has taken, as a case of study, the Frumoasa monastic complex from Iași, Romania, introducing microscopic, XRF (X-ray fluorescence) spectroscopy and petrographically based approaches, comparing three limestone samples with a sample dislodged from the original wall. The physical properties (bulk and real densities, open porosity and capillary water absorption coefficient) and the mechanical properties (compressive and tensile strengths) were also experimentally determined. The samples were extracted from stone quarries located on the territories that were part of the same historical region as the Frumoasa monastic complex. Based on the outcomes of this study, suitable criteria for the stone replacement—consisting of identifying the main structure, quarry rock petrographical parameters and physical and mechanical characteristics—were determined and applied.

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“…of the stone and of its alterability is therefore required to enable quality criteria to be established regarding its use (Vázquez et al, 2013a). Various different authors have analyzed, via a range of accelerated aging tests, the relationship between a stone's intrinsic properties and its resistance to decay (Tamrakar et al, 2007;Fort et al, 2013;Molina et al, 2013;De Kock et al, 2017;Fatah et al, 2018;Saba et al, 2019). However, less research has been done on the effects of the surface properties of the stone on its durability (e.g., Schiavon, 2000;Turkington et al, 2003;Vázquez et al, 2011;Urosevic et al, 2013;Vázquez et al, 2013b;Martinez-Martinez et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Surface Finishes and a Calcium Phosphate-Based Consolidant on the Decay of Sedimentary Building Stones Due to Acid Attack

et al. 2020

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Natural stone has long been used as a building material because of its physical-mechanical resistance and its esthetic appeal. However, over the last century increasing industrial activity has produced more acidic environments, such as polluted urban areas, that can cause serious damage to many buildings and historic monuments, and in particular those made with carbonate rocks, which are most prone to decay. In order to mitigate the physicochemical processes that degrade these buildings, a number of phosphate-based consolidants have been developed, which are highly compatible with the carbonated substrate. Research about the role of the surface and its different possible finishes in the transmission of the agents that damage or protect the stone would therefore be very useful, both when choosing the most suitable stone for new constructions and when restoring historic buildings. The main objective of this research was to determine whether the roughness of three types of surface finish (sawcut, honed and bush-hammered) influences the durability of four types of natural stone (two calcarenites, one travertine and one sandstone) widely used in Andalusia (Spain). The efficacy of a calcium phosphate-based consolidant as a mitigator of deterioration in polluted urban environments was also studied and to this end the physical properties of untreated and treated samples were measured and compared. The samples were exposed to artificial atmospheres with SO 2 pollution in order to assess the damage caused to each surface finish.The results indicate that all the surface finishes were vulnerable to the decay caused by acidic atmospheres, although the saw-cut finish was less affected, perhaps because it did not require additional industrial processing. The mineral composition and texture of the rocks were critical factors in terms of the amount and type of decay they suffered, and the travertine and sandstone were more resistant to deterioration than the calcarenites. Similarly, the pore system of each rock was decisive in the penetration of the consolidant. Application of the consolidant improved the behavior of the treated samples by making them more resistant to acid attack without significantly altering the water vapor permeability, the color or the roughness of the surface.

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Petrographic of limestone cultural heritage as the basis of a methodology to rock replacement and masonry assessment: Cartagena de indias case of study

Cited by 7 publications

References 23 publications

A Critical Assessment of the Current State and Governance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

A Critical Assessment of the Current State and Governance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Sourcing Limestone Masonry for the Restoration of Heritage Buildings: Frumoasa Monastery Case Study

Influence of Surface Finishes and a Calcium Phosphate-Based Consolidant on the Decay of Sedimentary Building Stones Due to Acid Attack

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