Keynote Lecture – Substructure design of ancient master builders
To achieve preservation in a building’s historical and cultural context, diagnostic studies for understanding the causes and mechanism of decay based on historical information, environmental monitoring, evaluation of the present level of safety and selection of appropriate preservation methods and materials are indispensable scientific and technical basis for correct interventions. For proper intervention, understanding of structural behavior and good engineering judgment with sufficient experience of the old construction techniques and concepts and correct interpretation of the analysis results of comprehensive structural analyses are needed.
Historical structures typically are more massive than contemporary structures and the structural resistance depends on the geometry of the structure, shape of the structural components and the characteristic strength and stiffness of the material used. Generally, the old foundation systems that support the historical structures are different from the current practice in terms of materials used, foundation-structure connections and the functionality. Ancient master builders had introduced special techniques to make the structure withstand the lateral forces and control the underground water level and humidity to minimize weakening effects on the building.
In investigating heritage buildings, for proper interpretation of the causes of the failures and for decisions on proper intervention, it is important to consider the engineering knowledge and practice of their construction time. This study is made through reviewing archaeological and history of architecture publications, discussions with archaeologists and experiences met during diagnosis phase of restoration works.