LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide working methods and operational tools to analyze and understand the main materials of historic building: stone, brick, wood, mortar, metals. Each material will be read within its own production cycle thus also allowing a deeper understanding of good characteristics or vulnerabilities and limits of use. The "construction" system as a whole will also be analyzed, thus allowing students to understand the different ways of functioning (and decay) of buildings starting from the main construction elements (vaults, floors, systems, finishes…).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Active participation in the proposed training activities (lectures and field activities) and individual study will allow the student to - know in depth the main characteristics of historical building materials and understand how the chemical-physical properties influence processes, treatments and possible degradation and instability phenomena; - apply the differences between the different construction methods for their analysis and understanding of recurring and characterizing elements; - know the main mechanisms of decay of materials and of structures failure; - identify the main types of processing in relation to the different materials - apply knowledge on materials, their processing and installation techniques to identify recurrences and singularities; - provide examples of the processing of historical materials and their implementation; - acquire correct terminology to identify properties and characteristics of materials, their processing and installation

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures on theory and application examples. Visits to specific sites, construction sites or particular contexts will integrate the contents learned from the ex catedra lessons.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part one: the main historical building materials: stone: from quarries to installation (tools, processes, historical devices ...) brick: from molding to the main realizations, distinctions between technologies (raw, brick) wood: from the choice of essences to seasoning, to specific processes mortar: compound material. The basic elements, aggregates and the function of additives. Specific processes in relation to particular effects (resistance, appearance, water repellency ...) metal: from the methods of extraction to processing and particular finishes Part two: the "construction" system Through examples, the different modes of operation (and degradation) of the buildings will be described starting from the main construction elements (vaults, floors, systems, finishes ...)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliografy

A. Cagnana,  "Archeologia dei materiali da costruzione", ed.S.A.P. (Società Archeologica Padana s.r.l.), Mantova 2000

T. Mannoni, " Caratteri costruttivi dell'edilizia storica", ed. Escum, Genova 1994

T. Mannoni, E. Giannichedda, "Archeologia della produzione", ed. Einaudi, Torino 2003

G. Mor ( a cura di), "Manuale del Recupero di Genova antica", ed. Dei, Roma 2006

S.F.Musso ( a cura di), "Recupero e restauro degli edifici storici", EPC, Roma 2016

D. Pittaluga, "Questioni di archeologia dell'architettura e restauro", ed. ECIG, Genova 2009

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V. Conte, "Elementi della costruzione edilizia, Vitali e Ghianda, Genova 1970

G.V. Gallilani, "Dizionario degli elementi costruttivi", ed. Utet, Torino 2001

U. Menicali, "I materiali dell'edilizia storica", ed. Nis , Roma 1992

Some texts on specific topics will be provided from time to time in class.