Mitigating salt damage in lime-based mortars by built-in crystallization modifiers

Damage due to the crystallization of salts is a common problem in porous building materials. Also mortars used in the restoration of historic buildings are often subjected to a high salt load, resulting in a rapid degradation and high maintenance costs. Especially lime-based mortars, used for example as render, plaster, bedding mortar or...

Nanostructured lime-based materials for the conservation of calcareous substrates

Nanolimes, i.e. dispersions of lime (Ca(OH)2)nanoparticles in alcohol, have been extensively investigated over the last two decades as consolidation products for calcareous substrates.<br/>The use of nanolimes for consolidation of mural paintings arises from the lack of e ective and compatible consolidants for this type of substrates; the use of...

Historic Concrete: From Concrete Repair to Concrete Conservation

Concrete like materials were already applied during the Roman Empire. After the decline of the Roman Empire, a wide scale application of concrete only reappeared in the 19th century. Here lies also the origin of modern (reinforced) concrete. Since then, both concrete application and composition have significantly changed. Today, concrete from...

Prototype of a diagnostic decision support tool for structural damage in masonry

This prototype of a diagnostic decision support tool for structural damage in traditional masonry is the result of a PhD research project. The research project has aimed to improve and facilitate the diagnostic process by offering support in the initial phase in which hypotheses are generated. The more precise hypotheses are formulated, and the...

Structural damage in masonry: Developing diagnostic decision support

This thesis deals with the diagnosis of structural damage in traditional masonry: cracks, deformations and tilts. Establishing the cause of this type of damage can be difficult. This research project has aimed to improve and facilitate the diagnostic process by offering support in the initial phase in which hypotheses are generated. The more...

Vervanging van witte Belgische steen: Materiaalkeuze bij restauratie

Dit proefschrift gaat over de keuze van natuursteensoorten ter vervanging van witte Belgische zandige kalksteen bij de restauratie van Nederlandse monumenten in de periode die loopt van het einde van de negentiende tot het einde van de twintigste eeuw. De studie is gericht op het identificeren van de keuzeargumenten en de gevolgen hiervan....

Sodium chloride damage to porous building materials

This research studied sodium chloride (NaCl) damage to porous building materials with the aim of: i) gaining a better understanding of the damage process and ii) developing an effective crystallization test. It has been definitely proven that NaCl modifies the hygric dilation of a material completely. Irreversible dilation occurs during drying...