The multianalitical study has comprised spectrophotometry, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray powder diffraction, polarized optical and scanning electron microscopies (environmental, field emission and cold field emission) with EDS microanalysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and laser granulometric analysis. Bricks resistance to seismic activity has been inferred from the assessment of the mechanical behaviour -velocity of the ultrasonic waves and anisotropy measurement and compressive tests performance-. The pore system -by means of hydric tests and mercury intrusion porosimetry- and bricks durability to moisture, frost and salt crystallization action were determined.
The results achieved pointed out that: a) Mg-rich calcareous clays and illitic clays were used, in concordance with the composition of the local clays, and temperatures of 800-850 °C or over 900 °C were reached, b) melilites, clinopyroxene-type, anorthite, Mg-silicates and hematite were the high-temperature phases and secondary phases were calcite and zeolite, c) a lesser calcareous content on the base clays and the decrease of the firing temperatures were the main technological modifications accomplished on bricks manufacturing along the history of Padua, yielding colour changes of the ceramic bodies from yellowish to beige and to reddish hue, d) the reuse of Roman bricks during the Late-Antiquity and Medieval times, confirmed by means of scientific data, has allowed to observe that high humid conditions enhance its conservation, d) the good resistance over time shown by bricks and fabrics is mainly because of the high stable microtexture developed within the ceramic bodies by the high-temperature phases, the better distribution of loads and efforts inside the fabrics due to the slightly differential mechanical behaviour of the bricks, and the low moisture gradient between bricks and the nearby environment largely due to the high humidity conditions of the city and e) the use of local clays may reduce the transport costs and allows the production of quality bricks without requiring very high temperatures, so the consume of energy and CO2 would be decreased.
The present MSCA was characterized by the publication of 2 scientific papers (+3 in progress) -all available in Open Access-, dissemination at 5 international conferences, 1 invited talk and 1 workshop. Data were also submitted to open access repositories (IT SYGMA tool and IRIS Institutional Archive of UNIPD and Open Research Europe platform). In addition, 6 outreach activities were performed by the fellow with the support of the International Research Office of UNIPD. The European Union funding has been acknowledged in all the dissemination activities developed under the project.
