Principles and technologies of historical structures consolidation, case study of Banloc castle complex

¹ Polytechnic University of Timişoara, 2 /A Traian Lalescu Street, Timişoara, 300223, Romania
² Valahia University of Târgoviște, Doctoral School of Engineering Sciences, 35 Lt. Stancu Ion Street, Târgoviște, 130105, Romania
³ National Institute for Earth Physics, 12 Călugăreni Street, Măgurele, 077125, Romania
⁴ West University of Timişoara, 4 Vasile Pârvan Blv., Timişoara, 300223, Romania
⁵ Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Science and Technology, Valahia University of Târgoviște, 130004 Târgoviște, Romania
⁶ ICECHIM, Research Group ‘Evaluation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage’, 202 Splaiul Independenţei, Bucharest, 060021, Romania

^* Corresponding author: mosiu.alina@yahoo.com

Abstract

Historical monuments (palaces, churches, protected urban areas, so on) are integral part of the national cultural heritage which need activities and measures to protect them. The Banloc complex, located in the west of Romania, encompasses five buildings: the castle, the hunting pavilion, the kitchen, housekeeper house, and the stall. This study involves historical, architectural, structural and physical-chemical investigations with the aim of finding the correct restoration solutions, in good agreement with the Venice Charter, respectively the Nara Charter. Being affected by time and by the seismic sequence (Mw 5.6), the restoration of the building is absolutely necessary for recovering the functionality, structural solution and highlighting the artistic elements. Some analytical techniques, as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Wavelength Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), optical microscopy (OM), and zoom microscopy, Infrared spectroscopy Fourier Transformed (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, have been used in this paper in order to clarify the main aspects about the structure, composition and morphological of the samples collected from Pavilion building. The oxides composition, and the possible organic impurities has been identified by WDXRF amd FTIR/Raman spectra, respectively. The microscopy images revealed the colours, fissures, cracks and even holes due to the time weathering processes, and damages they suffered in time.