Application of aqueous polymers on earthen substrates
Effective preservation of earthen architecture has eluded researchers for decades. While strides have been made in understanding the drivers of degradation and monitoring their effects, the impact of consolidation is still poorly understood. As a result, consolidation interventions at archaeological earthen sites are driven by empirical practice, with limited opportunities for quantitively evaluating treatment outcomes. The research presented in this PhD study contributes to addressing this gap in sector practice and understanding. A methodology is tested and used to examine the impact of consolidation on an earthen substrate through the application of a synthetic carbon-based polymer. For this research, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Microspectroscopy is used to determine the depth of penetration of polymers applied to the surface of archaeological mudbrick and laboratory analogues. Polymer impact on compressive strength of analogues is measured with a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Earthen architectural samples for this study were sourced from the Neolithic site of CÌ§atalhoÌyuÌk. This integrated approach of combining analysis of archaeological and analogous samples serves to verify the methodology
Lingle, Ashley Morgan
CC Archaeology
Application of aqueous polymers on earthen substrates. Effective preservation of earthen architecture has eluded researchers for decades. While strides have been made in understanding the drivers of degradation and monitoring their effects, the impact of consolidation is still poorly understood. As a result, consolidation interventions at archaeological earthen sites are driven by empirical practice, with limited opportunities for quantitively evaluating treatment outcomes. The research presented in this PhD study contributes to addressing this gap in sector practice and understanding. A methodology is tested and used to examine the impact of consolidation on an earthen substrate through the application of a synthetic carbon-based polymer. For this research, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Microspectroscopy is used to determine the depth of penetration of polymers applied to the surface of archaeological mudbrick and laboratory analogues. Polymer impact on compressive strength of analogues is measured with a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Earthen architectural samples for this study were sourced from the Neolithic site of CÌ§atalhoÌyuÌk. This integrated approach of combining analysis of archaeological and analogous samples serves to verify the methodology
application earthen substrate effective preservation earthen architecture researcher decade stride make driver degradation monitoring effect impact consolidation still_poorly understood consolidation intervention archaeological earthen site driven empirical practice limited opportunity evaluate treatment outcome present phd_study contributes address_gap sector practice understanding test used examine_impact consolidation earthen substrate application synthetic carbon based transform infrared use determine depth penetration apply surface archaeological laboratory analogue impact strength analogue measure universal testing machine earthen architectural sample study source neolithic_site cissatalhoiyuik integrate combine analysis archaeological analogous sample serf verify