Research Needs

This page provides a list of topics or questions that APT Australia Chapter members have identified as research needs.  It is intended as a resource for lecturers and post-graduate students looking for potential research topics.  In the future, we hope to provide expanded information about the topics wherever possible in order to stimulate interest.

The APT Australia Chapter welcomes submissions of possible research topics for this list.  Please post them as a comment below this page in the first instance.  Ideally, your comment will include details about the particular research question and the potential benefits which could flow from the research being undertaken.  Following review, appropriate research questions will be included on this page.

• Contour delamination of Sydney sandstone – analysis and identification of the mechanism driving contour delamination in the Sydney ‘yellow block’ sandstone.
• Conservation techniques for Vitrolite glass panels – documentation of manufacturing techniques and construction details for Vitrolite glass panels, and identification of options for conservation of Vitrolite glass panels.
• Management of biological growth on archaeological remains – evaluation of the long-term impact of alternative conservation treatments to manage biological growth, particularly algae and moss, on exposed archaeological remains in Sydney.
• Finishes to cementitious renders on Australian buildings between 1880-1930.
  Renders appear to have been finished to look like stone, and finishes were likely to have been a limewash type. Needs careful sifting through trade advertisements in newspapers and industry literature.
• Lime mortar mix design
  Longitudinal testing of various mix ratios at various time periods (say 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, 2 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months); properties could include compressive strength, flexural strength, durability (?sodium sulfate resistance), porosity; could include mixes with and without pozzolana; evaluate what mesh size brick dust is required to shift from a nice red aggregate in the mix to an effective pozzolana … 75 microns?  150 microns?
• Stone Patch Repairs
  Documentation of use and performance of stone patch repairs on buildings in Sydney over the past three decades.
  1. Documentation of current industry practice, including available products and technology.
  2. Testing and evaluation of alternatives, including large-scale applications: implementation of long-term monitoring programmes.
• Mortars for masonry
  1. Compilation of historical records/data about mortar composition and use in Australia:
  • Site information: mortar mixes, bedding techniques, specifications, trade information, site notes, drawings
  • Trade publications
  • Architectural archival records
  • Stone and brick masonry in buildings and engineering structures
  • 1860-1950 Emphasis should be given to post 1890
  • Lime usage practices
  • Cement usage practices

   2. Review performance of repointing and repair mortars and methods 1950s onwards-needs date, specification, details, performance.

   3. Collation of recent research into repointing:

  • Dept of Commerce information
  • CSIRO (Jack Heiman) testing and analysis
  • Consultant spec records
  • Contractor interviews and documentation

   4. Elastomeric sealants in lieu of mortars in masonry copings and parapets.

   5. Sands: analysis of grain size, geology, etc from currently available sources. To be like the SA study. George Gibbons may have some information from his former employer the Dept of Minerals and Energy.

   6. Binders-(research requirements to be included in the next agenda).

   7. Use of Pozzolans