(Ed.) Report D5.2: laboratory and on-site testing activities, Part. 7: Laboratory characterization of on-site collected samples

Samples collected on-site from the different case studies considered in the project were analysed in the laboratory by means of different techniques in order to determine their physical-chemical properties or their contaminations (i.e. due to salts) and thus, obtaining information to be used as a support for restorer and conservation officers. These analyses were conducted according to task WP5.7 of the experimental WP5 Comparative Testing and they had different aims depending on the various characteristics and problematics of each historical building under investigations. As an example, pursued testing objectives have been the assessment of the state of previous conservation treatments, the investigation of environmental pollution effects or the assessment of material degradation due to weathering effects. The activities carried out in this task were strictly related to the ones presented in Task 5.4 Laboratory analyses of materials from test sites of the same work package, where the preparation of samples and the laboratory analyses on materials from test-sites (bricks, mortar samples, stones, plaster…) were explained in detail. Sampling positions and specific analyses to be performed were chosen in accordance with the indications of WP6 deliverables and in particular to section 2 of each case study report highlighting the existing damages and the specific problems of the buildings.