Characterization of bricks used in the external casing of Roman bath walls "Gadara-Jordan"
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.9, No.2, 2009, pages 29-46
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Pages:
29-46
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Abstract:
The use of sub‐soil materials have been used in buildings long time ago, for more than 10,000 years. This study investigates the different characteristics of brick units used in one of the Roman baths in Gadara archaeological site. This is achieved by studying the raw materials and the different technological easurements of brick units: shapes, dimensions and visual description. Moreover, it studies the construction techniques and deterioration problems, by using some scientific techniques and analytical proceduressuch as EDX for defining the elemental and chemical characteristics of brick samples, Polarizing microscope and XRD for studying the mineralogical components, in addition to the use of SEM that was used for studying the morphological characteristics of the samples. Furthermore, this study determines the different physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the collected samples according to different scientific techniques and standard tools such as digital camera, magnifying lass and mechanical sieves. The results of the study prove that the brick units are divided into two types cubit square and rectangular shapes which are used as external casing layers. They are characterizedby homogeneous chemical characteristics and different visual appearances according to the firing degrees and firing conditions (oxidizing or reduction). On the other hand the differences of these physical properties play specific roles in the deterioration cycles, and their mechanisms affect the brick units. Finally, the study provides a definition ofthe effective methods, materials and preservation measurements for restoring and maintaining the investigated monument.
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Keywords:
brick, External Casing, Deterioration Problems, EDX, XRD, SEM
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Περιέχει έγχρωμες εικόνες, σχήματα και πίνακες
