Learning objectives
The course sets out to introduce students to the materials, construction elements, techniques and principles of statics of historic buildings. <br />
The course also aims to introduce students to the interpretation of buildings through the analysis of historic buildings of particular significance. <br />
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
COURSE CONTENTS <br />
1. Introduction to the understanding of historic buildings. <br />
2. “Utilitas, Venustas, Firmitas” and economy. <br />
3. Architectural surveying for understanding buildings and learning architectural planning and design. <br />
4. Units of measurement. <br />
5. Geometry, proportion and styles: tools for architecture. <br />
6. Historic building materials (stone, brick, mortars, concretes, wood, iron and cast iron). <br />
7. Stone and brick masonry. <br />
8. “Weight” of materials and structures. <br />
9. Balance and strength. <br />
10. Principles of physics. <br />
11. Art of building. <br />
12. “Modern” materials and structural mechanics. <br />
13. Structural elements and systems in historic buildings: trilith, “scatolari in muratura” systems, arches and straight arches, vaults, domes, domed systems, frames. <br />
14. Structures in wood. <br />
15. Structures in iron and cast iron. <br />
16. Structural and stylistic analysis of significant buildings. <br />
Full programme
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Bibliography
Gianni V. Galliani, Tecnologia del costruire, Alinea Editrice, 2002. <br />
Iori Ivo, Un diario didattico – Principi statici e tecniche costruttive nel loro sviluppo storico, Hevelius Edizioni, Benevento, June 2000, 96 pages. <br />
For a more detailed treatment the following texts are recommended: <br />
Di Pasquale Salvatore, L’arte del costruire – tra conoscenza e scienza, Marsilio Editori, Venice, 1996, 499 pages. <br />
Giovanni Carbonara, Avvicinamento al restauro: teoria, storia, monumenti, Liguori Editore. <br />
Manuale del Restauro, Editore Mancosu, Rome 2001. <br />
Teaching methods
TEACHING METHODS <br />
Teaching takes place through traditional classroom-based lessons and practical exercises. <br />
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EXERCISES <br />
Structural analysis and identification of a simple historic building or portion. <br />
Activities: <br />
- research for any historical information regarding construction; <br />
- “visual” survey of a simple historic building or portion: plans, elevations, axonometry, photographs (maximum 3). <br />
- identification and representation through freehand drawings of structural organisation and identification of structural “hierarchies” and materials used. <br />
- approximate weight of building <br />
- specification of units of measurement used and structural geometry. <br />
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Written papers: <br />
- maximum 10 A4 sheets (other formats not allowed), roughly as follows: one page of historical analysis with photographs, five pages describing the building construction system, three pages of geometrical and metrical analysis, indicating the proportions and units of measurement used for the projects, one page of weight calculations, one page of notes. <br />
The papers are to be handed in not later than the last lesson of the course (papers will not be accepted after this date). <br />
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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