Materials Research

The objective of this study was to develop a test method to measure the hardness of masonry mortars with a pendulum hammer.

A study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of renovating and upgrading an original condition window to the extent that its thermal performance would be equivalent to a window using replacement sash or window inserts.

A whewellite-rich rock crust covers vast areas of limestone inside dry rock shelters and under rock overhangs throughout the Lower Pecos Region in southwestern Texas (USA).

During rehabilitation of historic buildings, the question of how to treat the windows is inevitably raised. Within the decision-making process for deciding to replace or renovate an existing window, energy consideration should not be the primary criteria, but should not be ignored.

Because of the scale of contamination, gaseous fumigation with chlorine dioxide was proposed as the method of decontamination for the Senate building.

The objectives of this grant were to determine the responses of the microflora to contamination of historic limestone materials with atmospheric pollutants. We also studied the effects of these interactions on the deterioration of the materials.

Museum conservators and the like are well acquainted with the fact that some types of museum exhibits are susceptible to damage caused by exposure to light.

Simple book repair was defined as those repairs meeting the following criteria: the repair could be completed in a relatively short period of time, required a relatively low level of conservation skill and experience, and could be accomplished with available tools and supplies.

Hallmarks on silver objects can reveal much about the history of the piece. the name of the silversmith, the date of manufacture, the quality of the metal alloy, as well as other information can be determined form the study of the hallmarks.

Numerous studies have shown that air pollutants can cause deterioration of sensitive materials. This problem is particularly important for buildings and monuments, where materials are chosen for structural support as well as for their aesthetic value.

The analyses reported here indicate that the IUAM paintings have not been damaged by reaction with DEAE.

The CCI work is being carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 to establish appropriate analytical procedures for determining the presence and effects of DEAE on paintings, and Phase 2 to analyze the effects of DEAE and conservation treatments on DEAE contaminated paintings.

The role of air pollutants in the soiling of a limestone building was investigated by measuring pollutant airborne concentrations and deposition at different heights at the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Air pollution has been responsible for increasing the rate of deterioration of many historically and culturally valuable monuments.

The focus of this project was to investigate test methods for determining water vapor transmission (WVT) rates in mortar and to assign appropriate WVT rates for specific hydraulic and non-hydraulic restoration mortars.

The name of the silversmith, the date of manufacture, the quality of the metal alloy, as well as other information can be determined from the study of the hallmarks.

This manual teaches communities and neighborhoods how to complete their own historic resource surveys and share that information quickly.

This study evaluates the physical effects of drying waterlogged archaeological wood using supercritical carbon dioxide as compared to air drying and the polyethlene gylcol (PEG)/freeze drying method.

This video covers a workshop on the conservation and restoration of stained glass.

The use of hallmarks on silver has a long history, dating back to at least the sixth century AD.