Search Results (86)

Masonry industrial buildings, common in the 19th and 20th centuries, represent a significant architectural typology. These structures are crucial to the study of industrial archeology, which focuses on preserving and revitalizing historical industrial heritage. Often left neglected and deteriorating, they hold great potential for adaptive reuse, transforming into vibrant cultural, commercial, or residential spaces through well-planned restoration and consolidation efforts. This paper explores a case study of such industrial architecture: a decommissioned factory near Naples. The complex consists of multiple structures with vertical supports made of yellow tuff stone and roofs framed by wooden trusses. To improve the building’s seismic resilience, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, encompassing its historical, geometric, and structural characteristics. Using advanced computer software, the factory was modelled with a macro-element approach, allowing for a detailed assessment of its seismic vulnerability. This approach facilitated both a global analysis of the building’s overall behaviour and the identification of potential local collapse mechanisms. Non-linear analyses revealed a critical lack of seismic safety, particularly in the Y direction, with significant out-of-plane collapse risk due to weak connections among walls. Based on these findings, a restoration and consolidation plan was developed to enhance the structural integrity of the building and to ensure its long-term safety and functionality. This plan incorporated metal tie rods, masonry strengthening through injections, and roof reconstruction. The proposed interventions not only address immediate seismic risks but also contribute to the broader goal of preserving this industrial architectural heritage. This study introduces a novel multidisciplinary methodology—integrating seismic analysis, traditional retrofit techniques, and sustainable reuse—specifically tailored to the rarely addressed typology of masonry industrial structures. By transforming the factory into a functional urban space, the project presents a replicable model for preserving industrial heritage within contemporary cityscapes. Full article

Cultural Heritage (CH) represents the identity of populations; it is a heritage not only for the culture that produced it, but also for the entire human civilization. Still, preserving it is not an easy task; several factors hinder its preservation, from time and natural disasters to wars and neglect. Science can play a leading role in preserving CH, and among the different techniques available, Electromagnetic (EM) techniques are particularly suitable for this purpose because of their efficacy, safety for both people and materials, and their applicability to artifacts made from different materials and of complex and irregular shapes. Although usually associated with diagnostic applications, EM techniques also have a crucial role in restoration applications thanks to EM radiation treatments for the recovery and consolidation of materials such as wood, paper, parchment, stone, ceramics, and mummies. The state-of-the-art of radiation technologies shows efficacy for the elimination of pests, mold, fungi and bacteria, and for the consolidation of damaged or weakened artifacts. This paper aims to provide a useful tool for a first yet rigorous understanding of the contribution of EM techniques to CH recovery and lifetime extension, also comparing them with traditional methods and highlighting main issues in their application, such as lack of protocols and distrust, and potential risks in their application. Full article

Efficient vehicle driving generally intends to reduce fuel consumption, emissions of harmful substances, and accident rates based on energy-efficient driving patterns as a set of parameters defining optimal vehicle and route characteristics, together with specific ways of driving a vehicle that the particular driver applies. To gain environmental friendliness in driving, two main approaches can be outlined: optimal route planning and driver training based on the principles of ecological driving. The latter can be supported by using software for real-time, efficient vehicle driving recommendations. In order to develop the principles of ecological driving as well as generate relevant real-time recommendations, it is necessary to identify the specific parameters required to analyze driver behavior and vehicle performance, determine the corresponding energy consumption, and understand the influence of route and environmental conditions on overall efficient vehicle driving. These tasks require a large amount of data, often obtained from heterogeneous sources, which, when publicly available, are complex for consolidation, transmission, and processing, not to mention the complexity of the data model itself. This study provides a thorough review of the current data sources and techniques for efficient vehicle driving analysis, focusing on the availability and relevance of dataset sources and repositories. The categorization of parameters and data processing techniques enabling efficient vehicle driving analysis is carried out according to efficiency types such as driver’s efficiency, resource consumption efficiency, and route planning efficiency. For each type of efficiency, we provide a list of contextual groups and features, identifying the dataset containing the necessary feature, making it possible not only to determine the parameters defining, for example, driver efficiency, but also locate the corresponding dataset serving as a stepping stone for researchers and practitioners to join the community investigating efficient vehicle driving analysis. We also discuss future trends and perspectives, identifying alternative data sources for efficient vehicle driving analysis, and focus on data collection issues revealed by the practical use case of collecting data from mobile phone sensors. Full article

The Gobi Wall is a 321 km-long structure made of earth, stone, and wood, located in the Gobi highland desert of Mongolia. It is the least understood section of the medieval wall system that extends from China into Mongolia. This study aims to determine its builders, purpose, and chronology. Additionally, we seek to better understand the ecological implications of constructing such an extensive system of walls, trenches, garrisons, and fortresses in the remote and harsh environment of the Gobi Desert. Our field expedition combined remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations at key sites. The results indicate that the garrison walls and main long wall were primarily constructed using rammed earth, with wood and stone reinforcements. Excavations of garrisons uncovered evidence of long-term occupation, including artifacts spanning from 2nd c. BCE to 19th c. CE. According to our findings, the main construction and usage phase of the wall and its associated structures occurred throughout the Xi Xia dynasty (1038–1227 CE), a period characterized by advanced frontier defense systems and significant geopolitical shifts. This study challenges the perception of such structures as being purely defensive, revealing the Gobi Wall’s multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. Furthermore, our spatial and ecological analysis demonstrates that the distribution of local resources, such as water and wood, was critical in determining the route of the wall and the placement of associated garrisons and forts. Other geographic factors, including the location of mountain passes and the spread of sand dunes, were strategically utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the wall system. The results of this study reshape our understanding of medieval Inner Asian imperial infrastructure and its lasting impact on geopolitical landscapes. By integrating historical and archeological evidence with geographical analysis of the locations of garrisons and fortifications, we underscore the Xi Xia kingdom’s strategic emphasis on regulating trade, securing transportation routes, and monitoring frontier movement. Full article

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stone disease) continues to pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals and placing substantial economic pressures on healthcare systems. Traditional diagnostic methods—such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and basic urinalysis—are often limited by issues including radiation exposure, lower sensitivity in detecting small stones, operator dependency, and the inability to provide real-time analysis. In response, electrochemical sensors have emerged as innovative and powerful tools capable of the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of key biomarkers associated with nephrolithiasis. This review highlights the advances in electrochemical approaches for monitoring oxalate and uric acid, the two primary metabolites implicated in kidney stone formation. We discuss the principles of electrode design and fabrication, including nanomaterial integration, 3D printing, and molecular imprinting, which have markedly improved detection limits and selectivity. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the practical challenges—such as sensor fouling, reproducibility, and stability in complex biological matrices—that currently impede widespread clinical implementation. The potentials for miniaturization and point-of-care integration are emphasized, with an eye toward continuous or home-based monitoring systems that can offer personalized insights into risk of stone formation and progression. By consolidating recent findings and exploring future trends in multi-analyte detection and wearable diagnostics, this review provides a roadmap for translating electrochemical sensors from research laboratories to routine clinical practice, ultimately aiming to enhance early intervention and improve patient outcomes in nephrolithiasis. Full article

The waterlogged archaeological wood from the Qiantang River Ancient Seawall site faces significant preservation challenges due to its unique and complex preservation environment. Without targeted dehydration and consolidation treatments after excavation, these artifacts are at risk of severe deformation, cracking, or even complete destruction. This study focuses on the waterlogged wood from Chaitang (bundled firewood structure) and Zhulong Shitang (bamboo–stone structure) within the ancient seawall, comparing two methods: ethanol dehydration and polyethylene glycol (PEG) dehydration. Both methods were combined with natural drying for comparative analysis. In addition to traditional metrics such as dimensional stability and weight percentage gain, the study employs a multidimensional evaluation framework, including colorimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of dehydration and consolidation. Combining natural drying with PEG, although it may reduce the chromaticity of WAW to some extent, effectively fills cellular cavities, enhances diffraction peak intensity, improves dimensional stability, and effectively prevents cracking and deformation. The results provide differentiated treatment strategies for WAW from different historical periods and varying degrees of degradation. This study offers valuable insights and a scientific basis for the further restoration and preservation of the WAW from the Qiantang River Ancient Seawall. Full article

With the increasing number of anti-seepage reinforcement projects and the continuous improvement of quality requirements, high-performance and green requirements have also been put forward for grouting materials. Traditional karst cave grouting mainly uses cement-based grouting materials, which not only have high carbon emissions but also do not comply with the sustainable development strategy with regard to being green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly. A green grouting material made by mixing a slurry A and slurry B is proposed in this paper. The solid phase of slurry A is composed of stone powder and bentonite, for which an anti-washout admixture is necessary. Slurry B is a suspension of thickener (CMC or HPMC) and anhydrous ethanol. By mixing the two slurries evenly, the grouting material is obtained. Experiments were used to investigate the ideal ratios of stone powder, bentonite, and water in slurry A, and the ratio of thickener to anhydrous ethanol in slurry B, and to analyze the development and evolution of the apparent viscosity of slurry A and slurry B after mixing. This study revealed that the optimum ratio of stone powder and bentonite was 4:1, and the most reasonable water–solid ratio was 0.8:1.0. The optimum ratio of anhydrous ethanol to CMC or HPMC in slurry B was 5:1. Slurry B was added to slurry A at a rate of 5~10% to obtain the best grouting material properties. The proposed mixed grouting material would not disperse even in flowing water and could harden and consolidate quickly. The strength of the consolidation grouting body was close to that of wet soil, which can meet requirements for tunnel construction. Full article

As energy efficiency measures have reduced the operational carbon footprint of buildings, the significance of embodied carbon has increased. Efforts by all construction players, including material and component manufacturers, are needed to avoid burdens shifting towards embodied impacts. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) can represent useful instruments to push the decarbonization of construction materials. This study examines EPDs to assess the embodied GWP of insulation materials, bricks, concrete, cement, steel, and natural stones. The variance structure of the GWP was studied for each material, the main variation parameters were detected, and statistically significant categories were identified. For each category reference values were calculated (i.e., mean or median values, lower and upper interquartile ranges, and box plot whiskers) which can be useful for manufacturers to reduce the impact of their products, for EPD verifiers to detect outliers, and for designers to determine safety coefficients for using EPD data in the early design stage. Consolidated results were achieved for materials produced through standardized processes whose GWP variability was mainly structured around universal physical properties or production techniques. More localized or artisanal products demonstrate higher decarbonization potential but require further segmentation and additional GWP data to establish more robust reduction benchmarks. Full article

In recent years, at the Kınık Höyük archeological site in Niğde province in Turkey, a city square (plaza) located in the town’s acropolis was discovered. Context and spatial finds indicate that this stone-paved plaza dates to the Hellenistic era. It is made of a large cobblestone masonry structure made of local amorphous units that were fixed only with compacted earth. The conservation plan concentrated on enclosing the unbound free edges by using new pavement and a retaining wall to stop the ongoing decay because the plaza had already lost its integrity before the discovery. To distinguish between the original application and modern interventions, new cladding was designed and installed lower than the ancient pavement’s level using smaller stones from the same source. Additionally, a retaining wall was planned and built to be plastered to achieve a plain surface, where the pavement’s texture created contrast and highlighted neat craftsmanship. For this consolidation application, a hydraulic lime-based binder was combined with local earth for compatibility with the older application. The application’s suitability and durability were demonstrated after it was observed for a few years while being subjected to atmospheric impacts without any protection. Therefore, the examination confirmed that the suggested method is safe to apply in situations where similar stabilization needs arise. Full article

The Karnak Temples complex, a monumental site dating back to approximately 1970 BC, faces significant preservation challenges due to a confluence of mechanical, environmental, and anthropogenic factors impacting its stone blocks. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the deterioration affecting the northeast corner of the complex, revealing that the primary forms of damage include split cracking and fracturing. Seismic activities have induced out-of-plane displacements, fractures, and chipping, while flooding has worsened structural instability through uplift and prolonged water exposure. Soil liquefaction and fluctuating groundwater levels have exacerbated the misalignment and embedding of stone blocks. Thermal stress and wind erosion have caused microstructural decay and surface degradation and contaminated water sources have led to salt weathering and chemical alterations. Multi-temporal satellite imagery has revealed the influence of vegetation, particularly invasive plant species, on physical and biochemical damage to the stone. This study utilized in situ assessments to document damage patterns and employed satellite imagery to assess environmental impacts, providing a multi-proxy approach to understanding the current state of the stone blocks. This analysis highlights the urgent need for a multi-faceted conservation strategy. Recommendations include constructing elevated platforms from durable materials to reduce soil and water contact, implementing non-invasive cleaning and consolidation techniques, and developing effective water management and contamination prevention measures. Restoration should focus on repairing severely affected blocks with historically accurate materials and establishing an open museum setting will enhance public engagement. Long-term preservation will benefit from regular monitoring using 3D scanning and a preventive conservation schedule. Future research should explore non-destructive testing and interdisciplinary collaboration to refine conservation strategies and ensure the sustained protection of this invaluable historical heritage. Full article

Recent advancements in cultural heritage preservation have increasingly focused on the development and application of new composites, harnessing the diverse properties of their components. This study reviews the current state of research and practical applications of these innovative materials, emphasizing the use of inorganic phosphatic materials (in particular the hydroxyapatite) and various polymers. The compatibility of phosphatic materials with calcareous stones and the protective properties of polymers present a synergistic approach to addressing common deterioration mechanisms, such as salt crystallization, biological colonization, and mechanical weathering. By examining recent case studies and experimental results, this paper highlights the effectiveness, challenges, and future directions for these composites in cultural heritage conservation. The findings underscore the potential of these materials to enhance the durability and aesthetic integrity of heritage stones, promoting sustainable and long-term preservation solutions. Full article

The preservation of cultural heritage, particularly historical stone structures, represents a very challenging matter due to several environmental and anthropogenic factors. Vicenza stone, a calcareous rock known for its historical significance and widespread use in architectural masterpieces, requires significant attention for conservation. In fact, as the demand for sustainable and effective preservation methods intensifies, the exploration of innovative consolidation strategies becomes essential. To this end, inorganic consolidants, based on alkaline silicate formulations and nano-silica, were explored for their promising performance in enhancing the surface properties and chemical stability of Vicenza stone. In particular, the durability of treated and untreated Vicenza stone samples was evaluated by means of accelerated weathering tests such as freeze–thaw cycles, salt crystallization and simulation of acid rain. The experimental results revealed that Vicenza stone is very resistant to the effects of freeze–thaw cycles and acid rain; both the accelerated weathering tests did not show significant differences between treated and untreated VS samples. A different behavior was detected for the test for resistance to salt crystallization, whose findings led us to deduce that, for this kind of degradation, it is possible to observe a more beneficial effect of the consolidation treatments on the stone durability. Full article

Situated within the context of a soft ground foundation at an iron ore mining site, this study investigates the impact of substantial surcharges on the settlement of such foundations and the adjacent infrastructure. By employing the finite-difference numerical software FLAC3D 6.0, a series of three-dimensional simulations were conducted to assess the stress response and deformation of gallery pile foundations, shallow foundations, and mine shed pile foundations to step loading. This study integrates the analysis of soil strength augmentation under considerable stress and its attenuation characteristics under significant deformation. Various reinforcement measures, such as the implementation of stone columns, prefabricated vertical drain, and surcharge preloading techniques, were examined for their capacity to consolidate the foundation, reduce settlement, and mitigate impacts on adjacent structures. The results reveal that horizontal displacements in the pile and shallow foundations escalate progressively with additional surcharge throughout the operational period. The most pronounced horizontal deviation in the pile foundations is observed at the juncture between sand and silt strata. Stone columns act effectively as a barrier to the sliding surface, consequently reducing the influence of surcharge on the movement of the foundation. Full article

In Romania, there are numerous Orthodox churches, many of which are historical monuments of great cultural value that have suffered multiple degradations over time due to various natural or man-made reasons. In a context that is currently increasingly focused on environmental protection, we aim to analyse the carbon footprint of several different consolidation proposals to an Orthodox church with structural deteriorations (and more) and the equivalent impact if a similar building were erected with new materials. The research is proposed to be a stepping stone for determining the sustainability of interventions for orthodox churches, as the existing literature is scarce when it comes to the emissions of these churches and there is no norm to prevent unsustainable interventions. The Orthodox Church “Sfintii Voievozi”, the subject of the analysis, is in the city of Tg. Jiu, Gorj County. The construction was documented to be between 1748 and 1764 and is a historical monument listed in the LMI GJ-II-m-A-09189 registry. The architectural solutions for the church and the structural elements that comprise the load-bearing system are presented. A detailed investigation was conducted to determine structural and non-structural degradations, specifying the main causes that have produced them. With regard to consolidation solutions, two options are presented and compared in this paper: Alternative I—minimal intervention and Alternative II—maximal intervention, both of which are reversible. The carbon footprint calculation was carried out for both options, determining the associated material consumption, and compared to the carbon footprint for the case of a new construction. In conclusion, the consolidation methods with a minimal degree of intervention is recommended as the “most environmentally friendly”, considering carbon emissions when comparing the options. Full article

Acrylic polymers were extensively used in past restoration practices, usually as consolidants or protecting agents. Their removal is often required because polymer coatings can improve some decay processes of stone substrates and, after ageing, may generate undesirable materials on the surface of artifacts. Therefore, the removal of old polymer coating from the surface of artifacts has become a common operation in the conservation of cultural heritage. As with other cleaning operations, it is a delicate process that may irreversibly damage the artifacts if not correctly carried out. The main aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cleaning procedure for efficiently removing old acrylic polymers (e.g., Paraloid B-72) from the surface of historical buildings. For this purpose, a polymer was applied to two different porous stone substrates (bio-calcarenite and arenaria stone). The hydrogel cleaning approach was used for the present study, as preliminary results suggested that it is the most promising polymer-removing method. The considered hydrogel (based on a semi-interpenetrating polymer network involving poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polyvinylpyrrolidone) was prepared and characterized using different techniques in order to assess the gel’s properties, including the gel content, equilibrium water content, retention capability, hardness, Young’s modulus, and morphology. After that, the hydrogel was loaded with appropriate amounts of nano-structured emulsions (NSEs) containing a surfactant (EcoSuf^TM), organic solvents, and H₂O, then applied onto the coated surfaces. Moreover, plain EcoSurf^TM in a water emulsion (EcoSurf/H₂O) was also used to understand the polymer-removing behavior of the surfactant without any organic solvent. A comparative study was carried out on artificially aged and unaged polymer-coated samples to better understand the cleaning effectiveness of the considered emulsions for removing decayed polymer coatings. The experimental results showed that the NSE-loaded hydrogel cleaning method was more effective than other common cleaning procedures (e.g., cellulose pulp method). In fact, only one cleaning step was enough to remove the polymeric material from the stone surfaces without affecting their original properties. Full article