SY - (Symposium) In the Limelight: Examining the Spectrum of Lime and Cement Binders in Heritage Conservation

Friday, October 2, 2020

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM MDT

CE: 8

Symposium Organizer(s)

Fraser Shaw

Heritage Conservation Adviser
Government of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta

Symposium Speaker(s)

Rob Alexander

Historian and Journalist, Calgary
Joey Ambrosi

Acting Manager
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
Keith Blades

Principal
Keith Blades Consultant in the Conservation of Historic Buildings Incorporated
Nigel Copsey

Conservator
Earth Stone & Lime Company and Associates
Paulina Faria

Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
NOVA University of Lisbon
Lucie Fusade

Heritage Material Analyst
Rose of Jericho Ltd
Alison Henry

Head of Building Conservation & Geospatial Survey
Historic England
John Hughes

Reader
University of the West of Scotland
Alick Leslie

Senior Scientist
Getty Conservation Institute
Nigel Shrive

Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Maria Stefanidou

Associate Professor
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Magdalini Theodoridou

Newcastle University Academic Track Fellowship (NUAcT)
Newcastle University, Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment
Shawn Thibault

Principal
Ravenstone Masonry Conservation Inc
David Wiggins

Principal Engineer
Curtins
Simeon Wilkie

Assistant Scientist
Getty Conservation Institute
Heather Viles

Professor of Biogeomorphology and Heritage Conservation
University of Oxford

This 2-day course has been approved for 8.0 hours HSW.

Lime is rooted in ancient building practices worldwide and has been part of the conservation toolkit since the 1970s “lime revival.” An understanding of this versatile and durable material is essential for practitioners seeking compatible like-for-like repairs in historic structures. This year’s symposium is an exceptional opportunity to examine the physical properties of lime and related materials and their contribution to moisture management and overall building resilience, both historically and in the context of climate change. Two intensive half-days of presentations, demonstrations and virtual site tours with leading researchers, conservators and craftspeople will explore the history and evolving science of lime use, current conservation practices, the rediscovery of craft traditions such as hot-mixing, and lime’s role in sustainable heritage conservation. Question periods and panel discussions at the end of each day are opportunities to share experiences, engage in lively discussion, identity conservation resources, and tap into international expertise at this year’s virtual event.

Friday, October 2, 2020 (all times in Mountain Daylight Time (GMT-7)).
1000-1005: Day overview and introduction to latest research. Alick Leslie

1005-1030: Deterioration processes in lime mortars and sustainability issues. John Hughes (University of the West of Scotland)

1030-1100: Recent development in lime mortar research. Heather Viles (Oxford University) and Lucie Fusade (Rose of Jericho, Dorchester, England). Overview of some of the latest scientific research into lime mortar and examples of the importance of collaboration between practical conservation and academic research for better understanding and use.

1100-1130: An overview of nanomodification in lime mortar. Maria Stefanidou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). The addition of nano-silica, nano-alumina, nano-calcium oxide particles to modify the microstructure and improve the properties of lime pastes.

1130-1145: Frank Slide lime quarry tour. Joey Ambrosi (Frank Slide Interpretive Centre). A virtual tour of the lime quarry and in the debris field of the Frank Slide, site of the 1903 rockslide in the Crowsnest Pass of southwestern Alberta.

1145-1200: Break

1200-1230: Biological self-healing for masonry materials. Magdalini Theodoriou (Newcastle University). The use of biotechnology and bacteria to boost historic structures’ “immune system” and automatically heal damage in the built environment.

1230-1300: Lime and its use in earthen architecture. Paulina Faria (NOVA University of Lisbon). Traditional lime use to enhance the durability of rammed earth, adobe masonry construction and earth renders with examples from the 12th century.

1300-1330: Natural hydraulic lime mortars for conservation. Alison Henry (Head of Building Conservation & Geospatial Survey, Historic England). An overview of recent research into the properties and performance of NHL mortars.

1330-1400: Evolution of historic cement. Simeon Wilke (Getty Conservation Institute). Overview of cements invented in the 19th Century and an exploration of the most widely used cements and their implications for conservation.

1345-1445: Q&A / panel discussion; concluding remarks

Learning Objectives:

Describe the preparation and use of lime and other binders in mortars and renders in historic construction.
Explain how the physical properties of building lime such as compressive strength, bond, porosity and capillarity contribute to durability in traditional buildings.
Propose applications for lime in conservation where critical considerations include repair compatibility and authenticity, durability, and resilience in the face of climate change.
Summarize major areas of current inquiry and debate around building lime use in conservation based on international research and case study presentations.