Studentship at University of the West of Scotland

Ph.D. studentship
Understanding Traditional Masonry Mortars

    Dr John Hughes <john.hughes<-a t->uws< . >ac< . >uk>
    University of the West of Scotland

    Dr. Alick Leslie
    British Geological Survey

    Dr. Craig Kennedy
    Historic Scotland

A  fully funded Ph.D. studentship is available to undertake the
above project (c.a, UKP12,600 p.a. plus fees), based at the
University of the West of Scotland <URL:http://www.uws.ac.uk>,
Paisley Campus. This project is a co-funded collaboration between
the University of the West of Scotland, the British Geological
Survey and Historic Scotland.

The identification of the composition of the binder used in mortars
in older masonry buildings and the specification of a compatible and
authentic repair and replacement is, at present, a semi-quantitative
process. Practical conservation of historic masonry buildings can
demand authenticity as well as compatibility, which implies using
like-for-like replacement materials derived from the original source
where possible. There is, however, a paucity of research into the
identification of the provenance of the raw materials used to
produce the binder in old mortars, and how its mineralogy and
texture are related to the performance of mortars.

In this project we will examine the complexities of the recognition,
characterisation and influence of the original limestone raw
material on the historic production process and the final properties
of the lime. This will be done using petrographic methods in
combination with other mineralogical and chemical analyses (XRD,
SEM, ICPMS) applied to historic mortars. A particular focus will be
on the characterisation of particles of remnant limestones and
variably burnt lime, that record the original provenance of the
limestone processed for lime for mortars.

This project aims to:

    *   improve methodologies for the characterisation of lime
        mortar and the identification of the limestone used in its
        creation

    *   improve the analysis of historic mortars relevant to the
        specification of repair and replacement materials and
        deliver a clear mortar-property baseline with which to
        monitor change and evaluate repair measures in the future

    *   develop a model for production and control of properties of
        binders from well constrained historic sources

    *   understand how this contributes to archaeological and
        architectural historical research

    *   understand the implications of changing environmental
        impacts on the assessment of the compatibility of repairs to
        mortars in traditional buildings Applications are welcome
        from candidates with at least an upper second class degree
        in earth science, mineralogy, soil science, archaeology or
        allied disciplines.

Further information and application guidelines can be obtained from
Loraine Lawson <loraine.lawson<-a t->uws< . >ac< . >uk> at the University of the
West of Scotland. Applicants may informally contact Dr. John Hughes
<john.hughes<-a t->uws< . >ac< . >uk> for additional details.

Following the successful merger between the University of Paisley
and Bell College, the University has been renamed as University of
the West of Scotland.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:65
                   Distributed: Sunday, June 15, 2008
                       Message Id: cdl-21-65-021
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