The first step in the repair and restoration works carried out for the protection of cultural heritage is to determine the current situation with a detailed research and documentation study.
At this stage, a conservation report is prepared by conservation experts in line with the scientific data obtained as a result of on-site observations and examinations and laboratory analyses on original material samples.
A conservation report consists of the following sections:
- General information about the project name, location, etc.
- Associating the material samples with analytical surveys
- Observational preliminary description of the material samples taken
- Displaying the data obtained as a result of experiments and analyses with tables and graphs
- Microscope images and comments on images
- Comparative evaluation of experiments and analysis results
- Suggestions for appropriate methods, techniques and materials to be used in practice
- Post-application care recommendations
The conservation report includes the stages of diagnosis, treatment (application), follow-up and conservation. In addition to various existing condition analyses such as the characterisation of the original materials (stone, brick, mortar, plaster, etc.), the type, depth and morphology of the existing deterioration, and the determination of the factors causing the deterioration, the report also includes appropriate conservation methods (cleaning, consolidation, integration, surface protection, etc.) and materials (mortar, plaster, surface protection and consolidation materials, etc.) and post-treatment maintenance recommendations recommended in accordance with the criteria of conservation science.
The diagnostic phase is completed by supporting the initial observational assessments with the data obtained as a result of various on-site and laboratory examinations. In line with the initial observational assessments, the locations of the samples to be taken for laboratory analyses are determined. It is very important for an accurate assessment to take a sufficient number and quantity of material samples for the necessary laboratory tests and analyses. The content of the test programme to be carried out is determined according to the material properties and state of preservation of the cultural property. The samples taken are subjected to various stages in the laboratory from simple spot tests to advanced analyses in accordance with international standards such as EN, CEN and scientific analyses and methods specific to the field of conservation. Conservation experts evaluate all the data obtained from laboratory studies comparatively, and general conclusions are reached by correlating the results with on-site observations and analytical surveys of the building.
In the second part of the conservation report, appropriate conservation techniques and materials are recommended based on the data obtained during the diagnostic phase described above. Where necessary, the effectiveness of the proposed materials and techniques and their compatibility with the original materials are evaluated through various laboratory tests. In this way, incorrect application and use of materials are prevented in the interventions to be applied for conservation purposes and an effective long-lasting protection is ensured.
In the final stage of the report, the monitoring and maintenance process is planned, thus creating a comprehensive road map based on scientific research. In this way, the conservation report makes it possible to check the compatibility of the techniques and materials to be used in the repair and restoration applications to be carried out for conservation purposes with the original structure and material properties and to ensure the control of this application at the material-detail scale.
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