× Europe H2020

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 760858

Methodology

Example of methodology

Specific methodology for the restoration of concrete heritage proposed by Lorenzo Fernández Ordoñez

Elaborate a historical, artistic, technical and technological study of the work.

  1. Historical information from archives of the designer, artist and contractor.
  2. 3D survey of the sculpture by laser scanner as a basis for the geometric definition of the injuries, the definition of areas of intervention, to plan the restoration and to carry out the follow-up.
  3. Transfer to 2D of the real surfaces of the sculpture or the cultural property in question to carry out damage mapping, the annotation of all the pathologies, as well as the data obtained from the different tests and all the visual symptoms.
  4. Digital structural model to check the safety of the cultural property.
  5. Study of the environmental conditions.

Identify the materials used in the original work.

  1. Project for taking samples and tests, in order to obtain the corresponding permit for the work.
  2. Taking of samples that have become detached or are in the process of becoming detached for subsequent laboratory analysis.
  3. Possible drilling of holes to remove cores located in the upper part of a non-visible part of the cultural property. Restitution of the holes by filling them with water-repellent mortar mass without shrinkage.
  4. The following laboratory tests shall be carried out on the samples obtained and on the cores of the holes:
    1. Presence of Chlorides (colorimetric or determination of the diffusion coefficient). Chloride profile.
    2. Presence of sulphates (qualitative or quantitative determination by chemical tests or XRF/DRX)
    3. Density (pycnometer)
    4. Porosity. Very important in order to establish the treatment that we want to "absorb" the skin of the cultural property, and to know the degree of alteration.
    5. Cement content and characterization (scanning electron microscopy).
    6. Petrographic study to establish the depth of the carbonation front.
    7. Mineralogical study.
    8. Study of the type and size of the aggregate.
    9. Mechanical resistance.
    10. Resistivity.

Determine the state of conservation in situ: agents of deterioration and pathologies.

  1. Sclerometric study of the surface. The points of discontinuity that are detected will indicate if there is any area with greater porosity, or with loss of resistance.
  2. Ultrasound study. The velocity of the propagation of the waves through the material shall be measured.
  3. Definition of the map of reinforcements and their depths by means of a pachometer and/or geo radar.
  4. Detailed study of the concrete cultural property using a thermographic camera.
  5. Mapping of salts.
  6. Cartography of humidity.

Carry out a Diagnosis, based on the above data.

Establish the intervention criteria, considering the specific ones for Contemporary Art.

Selection of materials to be used in the restoration and necessary previous tests.

  1. Select, characterize the consolidators and propose the most appropriate application systems for each case.
  2. Apply the treatments on small damaged surfaces of the work, as well as on mortar or concrete samples that reproduce the original material.
  3. Characterize the cross-linked consolidators in the worksite and laboratory and their interaction with the cement paste.
  4. Check the modifications in the physical-mechanical and water properties, colour and shine of the mortars after the treatments.

Draw up the restoration project.

Select the restorer who will physically carry out the work.

Record the whole study and the restoration intervention in a technical report that includes graphic and photographic documentation.

Establish a maintenance and/or preventive conservation plan.