Materials Characterisation of Concrete and Bricks and the Evaluation of the Conservation Products

Materials constituting the object of the survey (Urbino University Collegi) has been characterised in order to get a better knowledge of the architecture, their state of conservation, their decay mechanisms. These data have been used when choosing the products for their conservation. A multi-analytical protocol has been applied: microscopic observations (both optical and scanning electron microscopes) and spectroscopy techniques have been aimed at grouping the samples taken from the concrete surfaces, in order to highlight differences and similarities. Moreover, residues of maintenance products has been detected as well. In the final part of the chapter the performances of a set of water repellent treatments have been evaluated by means of in situ techniques.