Materials Engineering
In the past, as well as in modern times, the main constructions techniques employed were fired bricks and raw earth techniques, such as mud-bricks, or adobe, torchis and rammed earth. Compositional characterization of earthen architecture fills the gap in knowledge on the type of soil, the chemical and mineralogical composition of the earthen walls, whilst the analysis of bricks and tiles is performed to determine the firing techniques of the materials. This method allows the examination of technological changes and a sustainability evaluation of the structures for conservation, thus providing a resource and a methodology that can assist future researches.
The analytical methods employed in the research are: XRD, XRF, FTIR, TG-DTG, SEM.
This research is in collaboration with National (Roma La Sapienza) and International Universities (University of Cambridge, Franklin University Switzerland).
Contact person: Letizia Ceccarelli, Paola Gallo Stampino