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Applied Conservation Measurement and Analysis

  • Module code: AR5204
  • Year: 2017/8
  • Level: 5
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module provides you with an understanding of how measurement and analysis can be applied to practical conservation work. The module covers the study of the different survey techniques applicable to traditional buildings and places this knowledge in the context of the decay processes. Knowledge gained in the study of survey techniques and decay processes will be applied to the planning and implementation of conservation projects. The module is taught through lectures, seminars, workshop discussions and visits and is assessed through coursework.

Aims

  • To equip students with the necessary practical and academic skills to measure and record a buildings materials, layout and condition.
  • To enable students to specify appropriate methods of collecting and testing building materials to assess their suitability for repair
  • To equip the students with the skills necessary to devise evidence-based conservation strategies.
  • To enable students to apply project management skills in the context of conservation contracting.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the decay processes that affect traditional building construction
  • Inspect and record materials and identify particular considerations or conditions that might apply in planning and preparing conservation work
  • Select and adapt as necessary survey and inspection techniques so that an informed maintenance programme may be implemented
  • Identify and specify appropriate forms of laboratory analysis in support of field identification of conservation problems

Curriculum content

On successful completion of the module, students will have studied:

  • A detailed understanding of the composition and decay of materials.
  • How to collect samples for laboratory testing to support field diagnosis of decay processes.
  • How to assess the significance of that data, in relation to dampness buildings.
  • Methods of monitoring structure for stability.
  • The influence of soil conditions on the stability of traditional buildings.
  • Techniques for the inspection of conservation works and methods of assessing special conditions which may complicate them.
  • How to assess, interpret and write conservation specifications and reports.
  • How to assess, interpret and write a schedule of works.
  • The implications in terms of time cost and quality of the effective management of conservation resources.

Teaching and learning strategy

The module will be taught by lectures to introduce topics and guide students in directed reading in preparation for workshop discussion and seminars sessions. Group and individual tutorials will be held as necessary to provide 'feed-forward' advice in relation to the formative tasks set and to the development of work for summative assessment Field visit will be organised to show students historic buildings in situ and to reinforce knowledge of concepts introduced during lecture sessions and support practical work respectively. Students will be encouraged to develop a range of appropriate recording strategies for the data presented on field visits.

Appropriate learning technologies, such as Canvas, will be used to provide access to a range of support materials and where appropriate, facilities such as on-line discussion boards may be utilised. Emphasis will be on developing knowledge and skills through practical activities and problem-solving activities.

The virtual learning environment (VLE) Canvas acts as the main online location and portal for course and School information and news. Course Materials such as handbooks, module guides, timetables and information on talks, programmes, lectures and events are all accessible through the VLE.

All courses running in partnership with Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on Business and Management skills.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching activities Lectures (presentation) Tutorials (Individual and whole group) Workshops (whole group) Site visits (integrated with lecture content) 88
Guided independent study Applied reading, preparation for lectures, tutorials, site visit, keeping a sketchbook, preparation and completion of assessments and including practical experience on placement or at the students place of work. 212
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Assessment will be through the submission of a professional report (4000 words). This will include elements examining different aspects of decay, analysis and practical conservation. An annotated measured survey will be undertaken on a given property.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
Demonstrate understanding of how traditional building materials and techniques and the processes of decay which affect them differ from those in use in modern construction Professional Report
Inspect and record materials and identify particular considerations or conditions that might apply in planning and preparing conservation work Professional Report
Select and adapt, as necessary, survey and inspection techniques so that an informed maintenance programme may be implemented Professional Report
Identify and specify appropriate forms of laboratory analysis in support of field identification of conservation problems Professional Report

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Professional Report (4000 words) Coursework 100%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS a requirement that the element assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Burkinshaw, R. & Parrett, M. (2003) Diagnosing Damp. RICS Books

Craig, R.F. (1997) Soil Mechanics. Spon

English Heritage (2012) Practical Building Conservation. London: English Heritage

Forsyth, M. (Ed) (2008) Material and Skills for Historic Building Conservation. Blackwells, Oxford

Glover, P. (2003) Building Surveys. Butterworth Heinemann, London

Holmes, S. and Wingate M. (1997) Building With Lime : A Practical Introduction, Intermediate Technology, London,

McKay. W.B., Building Construction vols. 1 & 2, 4th Ed., Longman, Harlow (Editions before the mid 1950's are more relevant)

Schaeffer, (1928) The Weathering of Natural Building Stones, HMSO, London, (reprint available from Donhead)

Seeley, I.H.(1985) Building Surveys, Reports and Dilapidations. Macmillan

Stroud Foster,J. Structure and Fabric Part 1 and Part 2, Mitchell's Building Construction, Batsford London

Swallow, P. (1985) Measurement and Recording of Historic Buildings. Macmillan

Watt, D. (1996) Surveying Historic Buildings. Donhead

Bibliography recommended reading

Ashurst, J. and Clarke, B.L., (1972) Stone Preservation Experiments, HMSO, London

Ashurst, J., Mortars, (1984) Renders and Plasters in Conservation, EASA, London

Ashurst, J. (1988) Practical Building Conservation, Vols. 1-5, English Heritage Technical Handbooks, Gower Technical Press, London

Brebbia, C.A and Binda, C (2011) Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture: No. 12 (Transactions on the Built Environment). Southampton: WIT Press

Brown, R. W. (1992) Foundation Behaviour and Repair.

Cennini, d'A.C., (1960) The Craftsman's Handbook, Dover, New York,

Cowper, A.D., (1998) Lime and Lime Mortars (facsimile), Donhead, Donhead St. Mary,

Diamant, R.M.E., (1970) The Chemistry of Building Materials, Business Books, London

English Heritage (1993) Georgian Joinery 1660-1840: The history, design and conservation of interior woodwork in Georgian Houses. London

Everett, A. (1995) Mitchell's Materials 5th Ed. Longman Scientific and Technical, Harlow

Graham, R.G. (1996) Building Damage due to Ground Movement. Stem Systems

Hughes, P. (1986) The need for old buildings to "Breathe",  SPAB, London

Hurst, B.L. 'Concrete and the Structural Use of Cements in England Before 1890, Structures and Buildings : The Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers' in Special Issue : Historic Concrete

McClean, J.H. and Scott, J.S., (1995) The Penguin Dictionary of Building, Penguin, Harmondsworth

Millar, W. (1897) Plaster: Plain and Decorative, Batsford, London

Neve, R. (1969) The City and Country Purchaser and Builder's Dictionary (facsimile), David and Charles, Newton Abbot

Neville, A.M. (1983) The Properties of Concrete, 4th edition, Longman, Harlow

Nicholson P. (1823) The New Practical Builder and Workman's Companion, (facsimile), Beacon Books, Bath, 1993

Parker, J.H. (1896) A Concise Glossary of Architectural Terms, Parker, Oxford, (and facsimile, 1990)

Pasely, C.W. (1997) Observations on Limes (facsimile), Donhead, Donhead St. Mary

Powys, A.R. (revised by SPAB), Repair of Ancient Buildings, SPAB, London

Price Dr. C.A. (1994) Assault by Salts, The Decay of Historic Stonework, Chemistry Review, pp.9-14, London

Price Dr. C.A. (1996) Stone Conservation: an overview of current research, Getty, Santa Monica

Salzman, L.F. (1952) Building in England Down to 1540, OUP, Oxford

Teutonico, J.M., at al. (1994) 'The Smeaton Project: factors affecting the properties of lime based mortars' in APT Bulletin Vol. XXV, No's.3-4, p.32-49, Albany, New York

Thompson, M.W. (1981) Ruins: Their Preservation and Display, British Museum Publications, London

Vicat, L.J. (1997 facsimile) Mortars and Cements (facsimile), Donhead, Donhead St. Mary

Watt, D.S. (1999) Building Pathology: Principles & Practice, Blackwell Science, Oxford

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