The unit carries out supporting diagnostic analyses on existing historical or contemporary buildings dealing with material degradation and mainly aimed at tracing the degradation causes or processes at work, and for the identification of construction techniques. Surveys and monitoring activities support the drafting of conservation or maintenance plans, and of guidelines for existing buildings conservation or for the design of renovation works. Research is also carried out into the development and integration of innovative non-destructive techniques for monitoring deterioration, micro-climate and to control risk factors for the conservation of the materials in place; the standardisation of already established procedures is carried out in the same context. A parallel line of activity concerns the non-destructive inspection and testing of the energy performance of both traditional and modern or innovative buildings, following the latest energy certification standards.
Microclimactc monitoring of historic buildings and cultural assets
Monitoring and mapping of ambient temperature and relative humidity data, in enclosed spaces or otherwise, in order to identify any areas characterised by hygrometric anomalies and to determine the best microclimatic conditions for the preservation of historic buildings and cultural assets.
Site microscope
An investigation used to determine the nature of the materials used and their condition; for example, the identification of the type of mortar used for the plasterwork and to reveal the presence of soluble salt crystals on the surface.
Non-destructive building diagnostics
Analysis of a building (whether historic or modern) in order to identify the construction techniques and/or the state of preservation/degradation of the materials through the use and integration of non-destructive techniques such as: infrared thermography, to survey the superficial temperature values and highlight any issues (e.g., thermal dissipation, humidity in the masonry, irregularity of the materials, superficial damage); endoscopy and videoscopy, to inspect parts that are not visible by means of small openings, whether existing or made during the investigation; UV photography, to identify surface organic material and its distribution through illumination with UW lamps, which is of particular importance in the case of decorated surfaces; cover meters, to identify the presence, direction and diameter of metal elements within the structure.
Materials diagnostics – hygroscopic analysis
Hygroscopic analysis and characterisation of materials, with evaporation, water vapour absorption and water absorption testing, carried out primarily on stone materials (whether natural or artificial), and gravimetric testing, aimed at measuring the water content in samples extracted from masonry which are weighed and dried using a high precision thermobalance (accuracy: 0.001g).
