Concrete Conservation Workshop - Appraisal and Repair of Historic Concrete

Details

1-day course

CPD Credit: 6 hours, C1

Course Aim

The assessment and appraisal of early concrete structures can require a different approach to modern methods of analysis and this course will cover how to interpret visual signs to determine their structural significance. The most common types of decay and failure will be discussed together with the investigations and tests that are needed as part of well-considered appraisal.

Course Overview

Reinforced concrete was the pre-eminent building material of the 20th century and there are an increasing number of buildings and structures from this period that are being given statutory protection.

The conservation-based appraisal and repair of historic concrete is still a relatively new area and this can bring challenges and opportunities. How historic concrete is appraised and repaired can have significant implications for its appearance and future performance.

This 1-day course will look at the various forms of reinforced concrete from the 19th and 20th centuries and cover some of the major patented systems such as Hennebique. The assessment and appraisal of early concrete structures can require a different approach to modern methods of analysis and we shall look at how to interpret visual signs to determine their structural significance.

The most common types of decay and failure will be discussed together with the investigations and tests that are needed as part of a well-considered appraisal. 

A range of case studies of repairs of a number of different building types from a range of dates will look at the approach to its repair and their implementation. As well as lectures the course will include a visit to look at some of Dublin’s historic reinforced concrete buildings to make a ‘on the spot’ appraisal of the structure and condition and discuss the possible approaches to their repair.

Trainer Profile 

Stuart Tappin has a deep understanding of the special issues relating to historic buildings, scheduled monuments and buildings within conservation areas.

He has lectured on building conservation at Bath, Canterbury, South Bank and De Montfort Universities, the British Council in Delhi, West Dean College and to the national amenity societies. He is a member of the 20th Century Society Casework Committee, ICOMOS (UK) Structures Committee and the World Monument Fund’s UK Architectural Advisory Committee. He sits on the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage where part of his role is to link with TICCIH, The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage.

Stuart obtained a Distinction in his part-time MA degree in Art and Architecture from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London in 2001. As part of his studies he researched the structural development of domes in India and the early use of reinforced concrete in India. His studies reflect a desire to explore beyond the usual boundaries of engineering. Following his course he has worked for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in India and in Egypt.

Between 2002 and 2014 he was the Chair of the Tenants and Residents Association at the Brunswick Centre, a listed 1960s building. He has written many articles on engineering conservation and had written for Grand Designs magazine regularly over a two year period. In 2005 he contributed to a TV documentary for the History Channel on Mughal buildings. In 2015 he was a contributor to Channel 4's The Restoration Man on the conversion to residential use of a 1930s reinforced concrete water tower.