Search results for " brick"
showing 9 items of 19 documents
Maiolica bricks spires and domes in Sicily.Tipology, constructive and decorative elements
2018
The use of maiolica bricks as artefact for surface decoration is widespread both in monumental and ordinary architectures in the Mediterranean regions, harmonizing the local construction traditions with the Islamic influences. This study presents an in-depth analysis of examples of spires and domes in Sicily featuring earthenware maiolica cladding serving both as decoration and structural element. Due to the limited knowledge of these artefacts, incautious construction operations led to an alteration of their material and technical features, putting at risk a centuries-old heritage. The systematic investigation on more than a hundred samples categorises these architectural polychrome elemen…
Wedge-shaped bricks spires and domes. Construction and decorative aspects
2018
The use of maiolica bricks as artefact for surface decoration is widespread both in monumental and ordinary architectures in the Mediterranean regions, harmonizing the local construction traditions with the Islamic influences. This study presents an in-depth analysis of examples of spires and domes in Sicily featuring earthenware maiolica cladding serving both as decoration and structural element. Due to the limited knowledge of these artefacts, incautious construction operations led to an alteration of their material and technical features, putting at risk a centuries-old heritage. The systematic investigation on more than a hundred samples categorises these architectural polychrome elemen…
Material sources of the Roman brick-making industry in the I and II century A.D. from Regio IX, Regio XI and Alpes Cottiae
2015
International audience; Bricks, fine pottery, ceramic gears and tiles are among the human-made objects routinely recovered in archaeological documentation. Sites associated with early civilizations can provide thousands of samples from a single excavation. They come in endless varieties according to economic and social circumstances and, as debris can last almost forever, provide important clues about the past behaviours in human societies. Any information about the provenance of ceramics is highly valuable in archaeological analysis. In the case of Roman brick-making, the provenance and manufacture of clayey materials are usually interpreted only by studying stamps imprinted on the artefac…
Il mattone cuneiforme maiolicato. Procedure algoritmico-parametriche digitali come strumento di indagine e progettazione: dall'architettura storica a…
2020
The study focuses on the cuneiform in majolica brick that has been widespread in Sicily since the 16th century for the construction of spires and domes. A unifying element that has constituted a particular identity contribution to the island’s brick tradition; an original solution able to combine aesthetics with structural and durability. On the basis of more than a hundred examined cases, the different geometrical-formal peculiarities detected in relation to the characteristics of the shell are described. Some analyses and checks of the traditional geometrical composition patterns of the wall facade are reported. Through the definition of digital tools of algorithmic-parametric design, new…
Performance of Earth Bricks Supplemented by Nanoparticles and their Application in Architecture
2017
The potential for architecture offered by natural materials in terms of comfort, reduction of embodied energy and energy-saving in the operational phase, dictates in-depth research that might highlight advantages and contribute to improving their characteristics. This research focuses on earth bricks and, in particular, a type of brick made from unfired clay, known as adobe. The aim of the research is to verify improvements in performance of adobe with the aid of nanotechnology. The adobe mixture was prepared with water, soil (from Sicily) and LAPONITE® as a stabilizer. The adobe bricks were subjected to tests of resistance to compression and flexion, resistance to abrasion, capillary absor…
Experimental investigation on BFRCM confinement of masonry cylinders and comparison with BFRP system
2021
Abstract Fabric reinforced cementitious mortar (FRCM) materials have started to be employed during the last years with the aim of overcoming the drawbacks related to the use of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, proving to be potentially suitable for strengthening masonry structures. Moreover, the will to develop materials able to guarantee a certain degree of sustainability without renouncing to adequate mechanical properties has drawn the attention to the use of basalt fibres, which appear to be a valid alternative to carbon or glass fibres. This work presents an experimental investigation on a basalt FRCM (BFRCM) system to confine circular masonry columns, aimed at evaluating the…
La scoperta, sistemazione e conservazione della grande Iscrizione di Gortina, nell'isola di Creta (1884-1921): la protezione delle testimonianze e le…
2013
La scoperta e la conservazione della Grande Iscrizione di Gortina a Creta, da parte degli studiosi italiani, fra la fine del XIX sec. e i primi decenni del XX sec., rappresentò un grande riconoscimento scientifico-culturale per la giovane nazione italiana. Nel passato, l’isola di Creta era stata legata alla Repubblica di Venezia e anche questo rapporto favorì l’invio a Creta del giovane epigrafista F. Halbherr, il quale fra notevoli peripezie rinvenne, assieme all’epigrafista tedesco E. Fabricius, la famosa l’iscrizione nell’antica città di Gortina. L’iscrizione, fra le più antiche e complete finora conosciute in tutta Europa, conteneva le norme sulla famiglia, l’eredità e in generale i dir…
The brick furnace of Pisciotto Country, in Scicli: an example of "human disaster"
2017
La fornace in contrada Pisciotto in Scicli: un esempio di "disastro umano" La Fornace Penna in Contrada Pisciotto, a Scicli è oggi un imponente ed elegante rudere dalla suggestiva bellezza, sfiorita e mortificata dal trascorrere del tempo e dall’incuria dell’uomo. Lo splendido paesaggio che faceva da sfondo al manufatto, è oggi deturpato da costruzioni abusive e da villaggi turistici ad alta ricettività; mentre lo sperone roccioso dal quale un giorno svettava l’alta ciminiera, si è trasformato in "luogo del cinema", vincolo che insieme a molti altri in realtà poco hanno fatto per la salvaguardia di questo bene. Il tempo sembra essersi fermato ad una notte di fine gennaio del 1924 (forse 192…
Ri _ GENERAZIONI. Reversibili
2016
Vogliamo ora la maestria del “meccanico” in luogo di quella del “muratore”. Vogliamo architetti capaci di costruire mentre pensano a dover o poter smontare. Troppo spesso assistiamo alla supponenza di tanti manufatti che si arrogano il diritto di sentirsi immortali e invece sono solo premature obsolescenze non più governabili. I tempi di realizzazione dell’architettura contemporanea sono giurassici; spesso l’edificio non è ancora completato è già sono mutate le circostanze per cui lo si è voluto mentre stiamo riconoscendo di non potere più tornare indietro. L’architettura oggi non riesce più a stare al passo con le continue mutazioni che l’ambiente e la società impongono (ormai sempre più r…