Simpósio Internacional sobre Consolidação da Pedra do Património Cultural

The Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) is organising in Lisbon, on May 6-7, 2008, the International Symposium on "Stone Consolidation in Cultural Heritage - Research and Practice".

Consolidation is one of the most complex and controversial actions in stone conservation. Different lithologies and distinct void/ microstructural relationships show different behaviours towards consolidation. The frequent presence of soluble salts also induces variability and complexity in the consolidation process.
Effectiveness is not within reach for all stone types and harmful effects are too often found. Research is currently being carried out around the world and new products and new knowledge are being produced for the benefit of conservation practice. This Symposium will focus on the present state of the art and state of the practice as regards consolidation mechanisms, degradation of consolidated stones, novel products for consolidation and long term monitoring of consolidation interventions on monuments aiming at discussing both research and practical issues.

The Symposium will include invited lectures and paper or poster presentations by symposium attendants. Lectures will be followed by discussion. The lecturers are international experts in the field, coming from well-known institutions in Europe and the United States.

The major topics of consolidation (basic research on products, lab and field testing, effectiveness, application, harmfulness, durability and long term behaviour) will be addressed from different points of view. The Symposium will conclude with a panel session that will provide an opportunity of interaction between experts and audience. Contributions from practicing conservators will be an essential dialogue of the Symposium and therefore they are more than welcome.

The Symposium will deal with the following main themes:

• Basic principles in stone consolidation;
• Consolidation products: research and practice;
• Inorganic consolidants;
• Consolidation of very porous limestones;
• Consolidation in the presence of salts;
• Durability and long term harmful behaviour;
• Application techniques;
• Parameters, technology and methods for performance assessment;
• Are there successful past treatments?
• Novel products and experimental setups;
• From the laboratory to the site: the practitioners view;
• Case-studies;
• Any other relevant issues.

More information: http://eu-artech.lnec.pt.