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Structural strengthening of monuments in Greece with visible metal structures. Theoretical considerations & aesthetic implications.

Nitadorakis Evangelos

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Summary

Cultural heritage structures are nowadays more than ever before in the need of strengthen-ing measures due to their weakening derived from cumulative effects such as lack of maintenance, environmental decay, injudicious alterations or earthquakes. This thesis is concerned with the issue of visible metal elements applied as structural strengthening technique in cultural heritage struc-tures of both vernacular (made of local materials and usual workmanship) and sophisticated (high quality materials and workmanship) class. Emphasis is given in cultural heritage structures in Greece, the majority of which are made of masonry, although numerous examples of similar appli-cations in Europe are being referred in the text. The major types of such metal strengthening struc-tures that are being examined are the tie-rods (in detail), hooping, ring beams, frames and cramps. Questioning arises regarding the use of visible metal elements in masonry construction, such as their structural function, whether they were included in the initial design of the structures, the types of materials used, the reason of their limited use in specific areas of the country and last but not least, if their often profound aesthetic impact is consistent with the principles guiding the preservation and restoration of monuments described in numerous international Charters.In a multidiscipline scientific context, many of the above issues are being carefully analysed so that the reader obtains a clear view of why, how and when the visible metal elements are imple-mented. Among others, information regarding the earthquake protection of monuments in a regu-latory context and a proposed methodology for the assessment of possible intervention schemes is being analysed. A special theoretical analysis is made on the usefulness of preventive mainte-nance and mild repairs as a counterpart of restoration interventions which were in the past quite invasive, as well as on the perpetual conflict between safety margin improvement and the inher-ent values of the monuments. The text is accompanied with an Annex with a list of monuments in which visible metal strengthening elements are present, with a basic description of their architec-tural type, construction period as well as a photographic documentation.This thesis hopes to provoke further discussion and attempts to resolve the challenge of balancing safety with consideration and respect of values embedded in each cultural heritage structure.

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