Description
Book SynopsisConservation in the built environment raises fundamental questions which have been debated for centuries - what is worth preserving, how is it possible, why is it important?
This book takes a modern approach to the meaning of a heritage structure and its conservation. The historical evolution of conservation is briefly addressed, considering prominent individuals and cases; along with the history of construction, focusing on materials and related structural elements, with insight on the sizing rules adopted by masons. This explains structural decisions made during the construction process and allows comparison of scientific theories from the 18th century to modern understanding of limit analysis. Damage and collapse mechanisms for masonry construction, as the most widespread structural form for historical buildings, is described. Excess permanent loading and settlement is differentiated from environmental and anthropogenic actions such as earthquake or incorrect interve
Table of Contents
1. Modern understanding of conservation and of heritage structures 2. History of conservation 3. Construction materials and main structural elements 4. Vaulted structures in history and modern structural solutions 5. Ancient sizing rules and limit analysis of masonry arches 6. Damage and collapse mechanisms in masonry buildings
