Increased use of ruins through secured masonry and comfortable climate

This paper presents a unique scientific research project, funded by the KK-foundation in Sweden together with several companies participating in the project. A primary goal is to find methods to examine and take care of open masonry constructions thereby enabling an increased use of them in a safe and comfortable way without diminishing their cultural values. A second goal is to establish a long-term cooperation/network of researchers, conservators, engineers, antiquarians and craftsmen that can keep and develop the knowledge. The project takes place in year 2010 and 2011. This paper presents a model of cooperation as well as the ongoing experiment and expected results. The project is divided into three major parts:1) Description and assessment of historic masonry as load bearing structures. 2) Assessment of stone and mortar in old masonry and finding the methods to secure and preserve them. 3) The climate in the ruin with respect to comfort and preservation. The goals for the different parts of this research project are to find the best possible solutions of how to: a) Evaluate the construction of complex masonry structures to enable new additions that are appropriate with respect to statics. b) Find efficient methods to evaluate and conserve the status of the materials (stone, mortar) and walls in old masonry to grant safe accessibility. c) Create a comfortable climate in an open masonry structure without closing it. These three research areas all focus on the historic masonry which at the same time forms the climate shell, the bearer of plaster and the historical setting to the activities that are to take place in the ruin