Diagnosis, Conservation and Rehabilitation

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

These lectures will operate as seminar sessions. Expository introductions will be made by teachers, which will stimulate debate with PhD students. Visits, conferences (by invited teachers and researchers) and laboratory and field work sessions are envisaged.

The PhD students will present orally themes to be discussed. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge acquisition in the areas of experimental Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Civil Engineering, Conservation and Restoration, Conservation Sciences and Documentation Sciences.

2. Acquisition of a comprehensive overview of the techniques and scientific methods and problems that arise associated with cultural heritage. Knowledge of the relevant scientific research developments on this area.

3. Strengthening research skills in diagnosis and characterization of materials applied to artworks and to built heritage.

4. Promotion of comparative studies in the sciences and humanities.

5. Reflection on concepts, problems and theoretical models, stimulating the innovative knowledge.

6. Development of inter- and trans-disciplinary skills.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Review of scientific techniques currently used for the study of materials, in particular the materials applied to cultural heritage, such as Raman spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, ultraviolet, visible and infrared absorption and emission spectroscopies, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermoanalysis, mass spectrometry and electronic microscopy, prospecting techniques applied to cultural heritage, techniques for studying the biological agents’ action on materials, problems associated with the degradation of cultural heritage and the consequent approaches for their solution.

Case studies provided by experts from various fields of scientific research.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 10.0%
Report of a seminar or field trip: 35.0%
Synthesis work: 55.0%

Bibliography

Gil, F.; Catarino, L., coord (2017), 'Os revestimentos e os acabamentos do Centro histórico de Coimbra - um contributo para o seu estudo', Series 'Cidades e Arquitectura', nº 5, Almedina, CES-UC.

Gil, F.; Catarino, L. (2019), Biblos, nº 5, 3ª série, pp 71-103, Imprensa da UC.

Almeida, C.P.; Ramos, A.F.; Silva, J.M. (2018) 'Sustainability assessment of building rehabilitation actions in old urban centres', Sustainable Cities and Society 36: 378-385

Ciliberto, E.; Spoto, G., ed.s (2000), 'Modern Analytical Methods in Art and Archaeology', vol. 155, Series of M.A.C.A., Wiley-Interscience.

Janssens, K.; van Grieken, R., ed.s, (2004) 'Non-Destructive Microanalysis of Cultural Heritage Materials', Elsevier.

Torraca, G., (2009) 'Lectures on Materials Science for Architectural Conservation', The Getty Conservation Institute. 205p.

Herrero, J.M.; Vendrel, M., ed.s (2012) 'Archaeometry and Cultural Heritage: the Contribution of Mineralogy'.