Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Educational Toolkit
Teaching Material
Basic Course
Module
5
Monitoring and Maintenance
Topic
5.1
Definition of monitoring
Prof. Guido Biscontin & Dr. Francesca Caterina Izzo - University Ca’ Foscari of Venice
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Abstract
The aim of the present module is to introduce Professors and students to the concept of
monitoring as fundamental part of a conservation project.
Whenever people speak about conservation or restoration always think about the practical
intervention involving for example the cleaning of the architectural and decorative
surfaces(stones, frescos, mosaics, etc.).
The artefact materials are in fact subject to alteration over time, which is due to the interaction
between the artefact and physical (light, temperature, relative humidity, etc.), chemical
(atmospheric oxygen, various pollutants), and biological (bacteria, funguses, insects, etc.)
factors. For many years the attention was mainly devoted to the intervention itself aiming to
the stabilization of the degradation processes without thinking of the after intervention.
Only during the last decay, strong has become the attention to the concept of monitoring in
Cultural Heritage as Preventive Conservation. The term “monitoring” in Cultural Heritage
means not only checking the conservation state of the artefact before, during and after the
restoration process but finding the link with the environment where is located. Architecture
and decorative surfaces would in fact present different problems/degradation processes or
phenomena depending on the specific environment: indoor- outdoor, urban- rural, marine, etc.
therefore also the interventions and products would be different in order to obtain a successful
intervention.
In this context, crucial will be the definition and selection of suitable parameters and easy
methods for monitoring over time not only the artefact conservation state but also the
stability and efficiency of the products .
Prof. Guido Biscontin&Dr.Francesca Caterina Izzo - University Ca’ Foscari of Venice
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
Content
Main topics of this presentation
Definition of monitoring:
a)
Monitoring applied to architectural and decorative surfaces (stones, frescos,
mosaics, stuccos, etc.) after the intervention
b)
Monitoring actions linked to specific environment
c)
•
Indoor-outdoor
•
Urban-rural
•
Marine, ect.
Evaluation of conservative intervention
•
Selection of best treatments
•
Determination of most useful parameters
d)
Management and use
e)
Examples
f)
What to remember about monitoring
Prof. Guido Biscontin&Dr.Francesca Caterina Izzo - University Ca’ Foscari of Venice
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Definition
Monitoring & Maintenance (post-conservation process)
Monitoring
in the of
conservation
of Aachen
Cultural Heritage can be applied to all
Mosaics
Lourdes,
architectural and decorative surfaces: stones, frescos, mosaics, etc.
Conservation of surfaces needs continuous actions because weathering
processes often continue even on restored surfaces. In recent years a
sustainable conservation policy of Cultural Heritage is searched and
progressively frequent soft conservation works are preferred instead of an
impressive one.
In this frame monitoring become a part of the conservation plan and of the
intervention itself helping in the choice of the most successful intervention.
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Definition
The term “monitoring” in Cultural Heritage means not only checking the conservation state of the artefact
before, during and after the restoration process but finding the link with the environment where is located,
the degradation processes and the new and old products-treatments. .
Monitoring
Environment
Decay
Treatments
Preventive Conservation
Architecture and decorative surfaces would in fact present different depending on the specific
environment:
• indoor- outdoor,
The interventions and products would be
•urban- rural,
different in order to obtain a successful
•marine, etc.
intervention.
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring means…
to overview and understand the kinetics of the stability of CH, repeating
measurements over time
Maintenance,monitoring
study, analyis, etc.: less
rapid and more
prepredictable trend
100
%
stability
a)
0%
No control: rapid decay
time
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring means…
b)
to perform evaluation tests on
conservation products and
treatments
In laboratory
In situ
Selection
of the best conservative treatments considering: aesthetic and
material compatibility with the system, sustainability, low environmental impact,
low toxicity, etc.
Determination of the most relevant indexes for the correct evaluation of the
use of innovative methodologies or new products (meaningful, objective,
measurable and repeatable parameters)
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring means…
b)
evaluation tests on conservation products and treatments in laboratory
Biblioteca Marciana,
S. Mark’s square,
Venice
Analysis of
superficial
architectural layers
Patina with silicium
and calcium oxalate
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring means…
b)
evaluation tests on conservation products and treatments in situ
Application of
differnt
products
Select
the best one
Check
the stability,
compatibility of the
products over time
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring means…
c)
to carry out evaluation tests at the end of the conservation intervention and
over time to control:
the efficiency of the intervention and of the
products in term of compatibility
-Reversibility
In situ biological
- Water repellence
disinfestation test
on external
- Permeability
buildings
-Stability
-Low toxicity
-Transparency
- Low colour changes, etc.
after
Instrian stone water permeability before
and after protection treatment
before
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (1)
Evaluation of conservation intervention for architectonic surfaces (stones, frescoes, plasters,
mosaics, etc.)

Initial choice of the BEST CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS
considering required performances :
aesthetic and material compatibility with the system,
efficiency,
ease of implementation,
economy, low environmental impact, etc.
Area A1 : disinfestation treatment
hasn’t reached a good level

Determination of the most relevant INDEXES FOR THE
CORRECT EVALUATION of the use of innovative
methodologies or new products (meaningful, objective,
measurable and repeatable parameters)
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (2)
Monitoring in the conservation of Cultural Heritage can be applied to all architectural and decorative
surfaces: stones, frescos, mosaics, etc.
a)
Measurements and monitoring actions by following
determined repeatable PROCEDURES (where present,
international PROTOCOLS AND NORMATIVES)
•
Colour measurements on the surfaces (in loco)
•
Measurements of soluble salts (in laboratory)
•
Water absorption measurements : e.g. in laboratory water absorption and
contact angle measurements
135°
Angle <90° = wettability
105°
35°
Angle >90° = water repellence
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (2)
Monitoring in the conservation of Cultural Heritage can be applied to all architectural and decorative
surfaces: stones, frescos, mosaics, etc.
•
Water absorption measurements : e.g. in laboratory water absorption and contact angle
measurements
CONTACT ANGLE MEASUREMENTS
EVALUATION OF WATER REPELLENCE/WATER
AFFINITY OF STONE SAMPLES
Angle <90° = wettability
105°
135°
35°
Angle >90° = water repellence
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (2)
e.g. Colour measurements on the surfaces (in loco and in alboratory)
CIELAB system:
•L * defines the brightness
•a * indicates the value between red
and green: a * positive values appear
reddish, negative a * values greenish.
•b * indicates the value between yellow
and blue: positive b * values appear
yellowish, negative b * values bluish.
Color representation using threedimensional space
(coordinates of tristimulus)
-10
-8
TAL QUALE
-6
(b)
-4
(c)
(d)
-2
(e)
16
b*
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2 0
-4
-6
-8
-10
-12
-14
-16
100
L*
90
80
70
60
a*
2
4
6
8
50
10
40
30
20
10
0
Graphical representation of chromaticity coordinates in space CIE L * a * b *
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (2)
e.g. Colour measurements on the surfaces (in loco and in alboratory)
DE = the difference of recorded colour values (L*a*b*)
Colour measurements provide an excellent tool to describe the evolution of the
deterioration of the work over time, pointing to the color change, the emergence of various
forms of degradation.
DE =10 highest accepted value
DE >10 
DE <10 
Servirebberodue
foto da inserire per
far vedere
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. Monitoring: evaluation of conservation intervention (2)
Monitoring in the conservation of Cultural Heritage can be applied to all architectural and decorative
surfaces: stones, frescos, mosaics, etc.
b)
Determination of performance reference levels for
evaluating conservative treatments fitness and the right
time for a new intervention (MONITORING AND
PROGRAMMED ACTIONS)
Non treated material
0,003
Absorbed
water
(ml/cm2)
Treated material
0,002
Treated and ageing material
0,001
0
0
5
Time (min)
10
15
20
Water
absorption
Product is
deteriorated
Time for a maintenance intervention!!
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1.2 Monitoring actions linked to specific
environment
•
•
•
Indoor-outdoor
Urban-rural
Marine, ect
Air humidity level,
sun exposition,
pollution, dust,
particles, etc.
People, cars,
vibrations,
vegetations, etc.
Venice – high salt level!!
Study material resistance to salts
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. 3 Management and Use
Monitoring the
conservation state and
products
CONSERVATIVE
PREVENTION
MONITORING
Cultural
heritage
(after
consevation
intervention)
MANAGEMENT
AND USE
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Follow over time the
“heath” of the
surfaces
Check the efficiency
of the products
Planned
interventions
Good management of
money and resources
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. 4 Example
Antigraffiti System:

Organic system capable of forming a protection of the
material (microcrystalline wax)

System easy to apply

System completely chemically and physically inert

System capable of giving very low chromatic variations
•System with excellent reversibility

Removable system (after the writing of graffiti) with ease
and with non-invasive methods, totally compatible with the
historical material
Application of antigraffiti system
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. 4 Example
S. Mark’s square – Stone protected with
antigraffiti products
Before and after cleaning treatment
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring
Educational Linkage Approach In Cultural Heritage
5.1. 5 What to remember about monitoring…
can be applied to all architectural and decorative surfaces: stones, frescos,
mosaics, etc.
checking the conservation state of the artefact before, during and after the
restoration process
.
finding the link with the environment where is located, the degradation
processes and the new and old products-treatments
architecture and decorative surfaces would in fact present different depending
on the specific environment: indoor- outdoor, urban- rural, marine, etc.
interventions and products would be different in order to obtain a successful
intervention
Monitoring aims to preventive conservations: wise management of money and
of resources!!!
Prof. G.Biscontin & Dr.F.C. Izzo – Topic 5.1: Definiton of Monitoring