Methods of operation for securing and strengthening weakened masonry systems

Bearing in mind the characteristics of the structural organism of buildings, as well as the causes of failure cases, can be inferred, that the methods of operation to protect and strengthen damaged or weakened masonry systems can go in two main directions:

- stabilization of the static system, when technical procedures will aim to inhibit the rotation processes in the existing static system or in some of its links, and when they concern works related to increasing the stability and stiffness of the system,

- consolidation of the static system, when technical procedures will be aimed at fusing the components of the structural organism, strengthening or regenerating their structure.

Both in the first case, and the second, the activity is usually carried out as part of the construction and construction works to secure the monument, The main goal here will be to increase the load-bearing capacity of the structure and adapt it to specific operating conditions.

In the field of stabilization and consolidation of masonry systems, modern technology puts at the conservator's disposal many different methods and means. The choice of one way or another should, as a rule, be preceded by an analysis of the quality and strength of materials as well as the static work and load-bearing capacity of the basic structures in a given spatial configuration..

Due to the conservation criteria, such technological projects will be the most desirable, which lead to the goal without the need to use materials foreign to the given masonry technique and which do not violate the conceptual scheme of the monument's construction.

Carrying out the treatments strengthening the system in the given manner is particularly difficult, and often even impossible, when the destruction process has gone far. In order to extend the existence of the structural organism, additional structural elements must then be introduced, invisibly, without modifying the layout and without changing the nature of the exterior decor.

If it proves impossible to perform restorative treatment in this way, what remains is the technological procedure consisting in the introduction of new neutral elements. As a rule, such technical solutions should be considered, which can be introduced from inside the building (rooms), because in general the external face of the building is more valuable in terms of architectural decoration and therefore its damage should be avoided.