Final Report Summary - OLDMASONRYREPAIR (Exchange of Experience on the Preservation of Historic and Old Water Masonry Structures)
Hundreds of old water masonry structures in Egypt and in other African and Arabic countries are in a bad condition. These structures are suffering from several problems, i.e. salinity attack, cracks and other difficulties. Preservation and maintenance are needed for historic reasons and to guarantee water supply and distribution because those structures are still in use. Millions of people depend on them to regulate and distribute water for agricultural, industrial and drinking purpose. Such building structures exist also in Europe and the restoration or even the maintenance is complex and difficult. The replacement of old water masonry structures requires a large amount of fundings and investments. Also, the historical and artistic values of some of these structures are invaluable. In the past few centuries, important structures are built of heavy masonry. In Egypt life depends mainly on the river Nile, the longest river in the world. To regulate the water, building dams and regulators are necessary. The first regulator Al Kanater Al Khayriah was build in Egypt 22 km north of Cairo at the site in which the Nile divides into 2 branches from 1843-1863. Afterwards several other regulators were build. Some of them suffered greatly from structural fatigue and scour. The Resheed Branch regulator sill, as an example, lost about 0.50 m of its height due to scour caused by an increase in the difference between upstream and downstream water level values from 3.20 m to 3.70 m, which exceeds the actual design value. The thicknesses of Al Kanater Al Khayriah piers are 2.5 m. It makes impossible to inspect or repair such thick structures with conventional means.
Currently, some repair works are being done by Egyptian institutes and universities, mainly focusing on treatment of cracks and other mechanical properties. The Construction Research Institute in the National Research Water Center of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources in Egypt (CRI) is one of them. They have experience in the remediation of the structures in an arid and semi arid atmosphere. However, the physical properties have not been investigated because of lack of knowledge and experience. Additionally, the faculty of Engineering at Mansoura University has a large CE centrifuge laboratory and long experience in modeling for realistically simulation avoiding errors involved in scale modeling processes. Meanwhile, some Institutes in the EU have considerable experience in the field of building climatology such as the Institute of Building Climatology at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), Germany and the Institute Laboratoire d’Etude des Phénomènes de Transfer et d’Instantanéité: Agro-industries et Batimenté (LEPTIAB) at the University of La Rochelle (ULR) in France, but limited experience regarding semi arid areas.
To repair and to preserve the monuments it is necessary to measure and rely on the physical and mechanical properties of monumental stones and the degree of weathering damage. Also Egypt is seeking for guidance for effective test standards to accurately measure natural building stones strength and deformation characteristics. In this context several phenomena are of potential interest: efflorescence and their contributions to masonry disintegration; permeability and moisture absorption, moisture content, autogenous rebuilding capacity after damage, freezing and thawing, mortar joint durability under drying and wetting conditions.
The integration of different experiences between Egypt and EU countries in this project is an important step towards innovative repair methodologies and new approaches of preserving valuable old masonry structures and avoiding further deteriorations. In consequence, costs and time could be saved. In addition, a joint database is in preparation and new technologies will be developed by initiating this interdisciplinary academic cooperation.
The important objective of this project is to exchange and promote the experience in preservation of water masonry structures and pave the way to spread this type of experience to African and Arabic countries as well as Europe. The project will establish and reinforce the long-term research cooperation through the exchange of researchers. It is highly expected that the technology used and invented and the project outcomes will be transferred to African and Arabic countries through the training centers and post graduates students and engineers belonging to Ministry of water resources and Irrigation and Mansoura University (MAU), Egypt. The project will also qualify young Egyptian engineers on this issue for future teaching position, research activities and professional practice.
The main outcomes of OLDMASONRYREPAIR project could be summarized as follows:
Exchange knowledge specified in each partner country (state-of-the-art) is well done. Several activities among the participants in the project are an effective way to exchange knowledge and ideas. Through the project, Egyptian research and field staff were are trained on the methods used in Europe, whereas European researchers learned about the local conditions and required strategies in Egypt. Comparing and understanding deeply the physical and mechanical effects on the research and development of water masonry buildings are clarified. Seminars, workshops, lectures, specialist training units, field trips and scientific English training concerning building climatology terminology were realized in Germany and France(at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and University of La Rochelle (ULR)) and in Egypt (at the Construction Research Institute (CRI) and Mansoura University (MAU)). All activities underpin the objectives of OldMasonryRepair. German and France guidelines of historic preservation in context with old water masonry structures/buildings were presented and discussed if applicable or adapt to Egypt.
The participants achieved a well-advanced knowledge of the Software DELPHIN for numerical simulation for the combined heat, moisture, and matter (e.g. salt) transport in porous building materials and the material measurement techniques. It should be noted that participants took part to intensiv laboratory method training held in Germany TUD, France ULR and Egypt, CRI/Mau included test measurements.
Follow-up-projects are planned in the near future: a proposal within EU Horizon 2020 is under preparation, the project homepage (http://oldmasonryrepair.forumegypt.net/Homepage(opens in new window)) with the intention of keeping cooperation among researchers by supporting joint publications and workshops, supporting active early stage researchers exchange via international scholarships, seeking support and funds from international bodies and international fellowship programs among the partners.
The main result of this project is the exchange and promotion of the experience in preservation of water masonry structure and to pave the way to spread this type of experience to African, Arabic and countries and Europe. A close collaboration between the involved Institutes has the significant impact that strengths the research partnership between European Institutes and North African Institutes through staff exchanges, training and networking activities in the future.
OldMasonryRepair enhances the integration of multidisciplinary research in the field of preservation of old water masonry structure to support European policies and the development of the Third World Countries.
For further Information please contact Dr.-Ing. Magdi Khalil (magdik@hotmail.com) or Prof. Prof. Dr.-Ing. John Grunewald (john.grunewald@tu-dresden.de).
Currently, some repair works are being done by Egyptian institutes and universities, mainly focusing on treatment of cracks and other mechanical properties. The Construction Research Institute in the National Research Water Center of the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources in Egypt (CRI) is one of them. They have experience in the remediation of the structures in an arid and semi arid atmosphere. However, the physical properties have not been investigated because of lack of knowledge and experience. Additionally, the faculty of Engineering at Mansoura University has a large CE centrifuge laboratory and long experience in modeling for realistically simulation avoiding errors involved in scale modeling processes. Meanwhile, some Institutes in the EU have considerable experience in the field of building climatology such as the Institute of Building Climatology at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), Germany and the Institute Laboratoire d’Etude des Phénomènes de Transfer et d’Instantanéité: Agro-industries et Batimenté (LEPTIAB) at the University of La Rochelle (ULR) in France, but limited experience regarding semi arid areas.
To repair and to preserve the monuments it is necessary to measure and rely on the physical and mechanical properties of monumental stones and the degree of weathering damage. Also Egypt is seeking for guidance for effective test standards to accurately measure natural building stones strength and deformation characteristics. In this context several phenomena are of potential interest: efflorescence and their contributions to masonry disintegration; permeability and moisture absorption, moisture content, autogenous rebuilding capacity after damage, freezing and thawing, mortar joint durability under drying and wetting conditions.
The integration of different experiences between Egypt and EU countries in this project is an important step towards innovative repair methodologies and new approaches of preserving valuable old masonry structures and avoiding further deteriorations. In consequence, costs and time could be saved. In addition, a joint database is in preparation and new technologies will be developed by initiating this interdisciplinary academic cooperation.
The important objective of this project is to exchange and promote the experience in preservation of water masonry structures and pave the way to spread this type of experience to African and Arabic countries as well as Europe. The project will establish and reinforce the long-term research cooperation through the exchange of researchers. It is highly expected that the technology used and invented and the project outcomes will be transferred to African and Arabic countries through the training centers and post graduates students and engineers belonging to Ministry of water resources and Irrigation and Mansoura University (MAU), Egypt. The project will also qualify young Egyptian engineers on this issue for future teaching position, research activities and professional practice.
The main outcomes of OLDMASONRYREPAIR project could be summarized as follows:
Exchange knowledge specified in each partner country (state-of-the-art) is well done. Several activities among the participants in the project are an effective way to exchange knowledge and ideas. Through the project, Egyptian research and field staff were are trained on the methods used in Europe, whereas European researchers learned about the local conditions and required strategies in Egypt. Comparing and understanding deeply the physical and mechanical effects on the research and development of water masonry buildings are clarified. Seminars, workshops, lectures, specialist training units, field trips and scientific English training concerning building climatology terminology were realized in Germany and France(at Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and University of La Rochelle (ULR)) and in Egypt (at the Construction Research Institute (CRI) and Mansoura University (MAU)). All activities underpin the objectives of OldMasonryRepair. German and France guidelines of historic preservation in context with old water masonry structures/buildings were presented and discussed if applicable or adapt to Egypt.
The participants achieved a well-advanced knowledge of the Software DELPHIN for numerical simulation for the combined heat, moisture, and matter (e.g. salt) transport in porous building materials and the material measurement techniques. It should be noted that participants took part to intensiv laboratory method training held in Germany TUD, France ULR and Egypt, CRI/Mau included test measurements.
Follow-up-projects are planned in the near future: a proposal within EU Horizon 2020 is under preparation, the project homepage (http://oldmasonryrepair.forumegypt.net/Homepage(opens in new window)) with the intention of keeping cooperation among researchers by supporting joint publications and workshops, supporting active early stage researchers exchange via international scholarships, seeking support and funds from international bodies and international fellowship programs among the partners.
The main result of this project is the exchange and promotion of the experience in preservation of water masonry structure and to pave the way to spread this type of experience to African, Arabic and countries and Europe. A close collaboration between the involved Institutes has the significant impact that strengths the research partnership between European Institutes and North African Institutes through staff exchanges, training and networking activities in the future.
OldMasonryRepair enhances the integration of multidisciplinary research in the field of preservation of old water masonry structure to support European policies and the development of the Third World Countries.
For further Information please contact Dr.-Ing. Magdi Khalil (magdik@hotmail.com) or Prof. Prof. Dr.-Ing. John Grunewald (john.grunewald@tu-dresden.de).