LEARNING OUTCOMES

As part of the general objectives of teaching, the module deepens the knowledge of the principles and constructive rules, of the pathologies, of the phenomena of deterioration and of the deficits of traditional constructions in load-bearing masonry, as well as of their energetic behavior and possible recovery techniques. and consolidation.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module provides the specialized knowledge to intervene on traditional buildings in load-bearing masonry affected by problems of decay, structural failure and performance deficits. Such knowledge is also necessary to correctly set up any new intervention that interferes with existing structures.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

- Describe and graphically represent, albeit schematically, the construction characteristics of historic buildings, with particular attention to load-bearing elevation structures and roofing systems, windows and doors, and floor finishes.

- Recognize and correctly describe the forms of degradation, disruption and functional deficits that affect existing buildings.

- Identify the causes and concomitant causes that have caused them.

- Select the main techniques of maintenance, rehabilitation, consolidation, upgrading and energy improvement of buildings and their component parts.

- Correctly set design problems by applying the knowledge acquired.

TEACHING METHODS

The module is mainly articulated in lectures, possibly integrated with external seminars, visits and inspections, also in collaboration with other courses of the Master’s Degree Course and the School of Specialization in Architectural Heritage and Landscape of the University of Genoa. Virtual tours may be used, where the health situation does not allow physical participation in an inspection. Group exercises may be conducted on case studies to simulate real project settings. The teaching will be delivered in English and/or in English and Italian.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The lessons deal with the following basic topics:

1) Traditional constructions in load-bearing masonry based on local resources. Analysis of the structural conception, reading at the global scale. Identification of problems of deterioration and instability of the wall box. Setting the possible interventions.

2) Materials and construction techniques in load-bearing masonry buildings: Walls, floors, vaults, floors, stairs, roofing. Analysis of construction techniques and performance characteristics, reading of the prevailing phenomena of deterioration / instability and the related causes and consequences, examination of the related intervention techniques.

3) Energy efficiency in historic buildings: technical problems and architectural and landscape compatibility.

The examination of technical topics is framed within wider cultural horizons, even taking recent projects and achievements for example.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

P. Roca; P.B. Lourenco; A. Gaetani (2019).  Historic Construction and Conservation. Materials, Systems and Damage, Routledge. The book is available in the Polytechnic School Library. Study in particular:

Chapter 1 – Modern understanding of conservation and of heritage structures (all).

Chapter 3 – Construction materials and main structural elements (3.1, 3.2)

Chapter 4 – Vaulted structures in history and modern structural solutions (4.1, 4.2)

Chapter 5 – Ancient sizing rules and limit analysis of masonry arches (5.1)

Chapter 6 – Damage and collapse mechanisms in masonry buildings (6.1, 6.2)

Any other teaching materials in English will be made available in the aulaweb.