Structural Repair of Historic Buildings with Edward Morton and Gez Pegram

Ref: B3D32824

Location: West Dean
£888

About this course

This course is of special value to those who wish to gain a new perspective in applying engineering principles to the conservation of historic structures.

Various short-term and permanent repair methods appropriate to historic buildings are discussed, and there will be debate about the merits of hidden repairs as against more obvious "honest" repairs.

Not all historic buildings are as hazardous or beyond economic repair as they sometimes seem and we will discuss both traditional and modern-method interventions to apparently unstable or failing structures.

The programme covers the inspection, assessment, and monitoring of building structures and monuments, with a review of repair works ranging from simple pointing and grouting to tying and underpinning. Case studies will be used to illustrate various approaches, discussion from the floor will be encouraged, and there will be work in small groups to consider specific challenges. We also include the popular study visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum. The course schedule is flexible and the tutors will respond to the needs and interests of the delegates.

The course will be of value to architects, conservation officers, masons, carpenters and others involved in conservation, as well as to structural engineers working on heritage projects.

Course Description

Day 1 - Context, Background and Legislation
18.45 - Welcome talk 19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 Introduction to the course; who we are and what we do; philosophy of conservation.
Group Discussion

Day 2 - Understanding your Building and Justifying Minimum Intervention
The inspection of historic buildings, understanding the structure, what does its history say to you? If we understand how a building was constructed, we will begin to understand what might be wrong with it and be better prepared to design conservation and repair methods.
Group Discussion The basics of structural behaviour. The ‘do nothing’ option; ways of avoiding intervention with examples of why you may choose this option and any associated benefits and risks; monitoring equipment and methods; load testing; floor loadings. Visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum - private tour by their foremost expert on timber repairs who has done much of the repair work himself. Looking at timber repairs; scaffolding and temporary works.
19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 - Evening case studies and discussion. Sharing problem cases with advice from the expert tutors and other course participants.

Day 3 - Meduim Intervention - Giving a Helping Hand
Masonry repairs; Ties and anchors.
Group Discussion Timber beam strengthening and repairs. Site visit to a nearby structure for assessment and review of options. Pointing and grouting; Looking at more timber repairs; A look at repairs for metal. Medium intervention case studies.
19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 - Evening case studies and discussion. Sharing problem cases with advice from the expert tutors and other course participants.

Day 4 - Justifying Significant Intervention - together with a miscellany of thoughts
Potential topics include the structural impacts from service installations; cantilever stairs; traffic vibrations; effects of climate change on structures; boundary walls; jacking structures; moving structures; conservation of modern movement buildings; limecrete; underpinning.
Group Discussion Visit to the Ruinette to review masonry repair techniques. Major case studies. The value of accreditation and CARE for Engineers. Issue of certificates and departure.

Course Materials

What students need to bring

The informal evening sessions provide an opportunity for participants to present a structural problem for group discussion. Please come prepared with a case you would like to present; pictures/slides and/or drawings would be useful.

Timetable

Day 1 - Context, Background and Legislation
18.45 - Welcome talk 19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 Introduction to the course; who we are and what we do; philosophy of conservation.
Group Discussion

Day 2 - Understanding your Building and Justifying Minimum Intervention
The inspection of historic buildings, understanding the structure, what does its history say to you? If we understand how a building was constructed, we will begin to understand what might be wrong with it and be better prepared to design conservation and repair methods.
Group Discussion The basics of structural behaviour. The ‘do nothing’ option; ways of avoiding intervention with examples of why you may choose this option and any associated benefits and risks; monitoring equipment and methods; load testing; floor loadings. Visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum - private tour by their foremost expert on timber repairs who has done much of the repair work himself. Looking at timber repairs; scaffolding and temporary works.
19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 - Evening case studies and discussion. Sharing problem cases with advice from the expert tutors and other course participants.

Day 3 - Meduim Intervention - Giving a Helping Hand
Masonry repairs; Ties and anchors.
Group Discussion Timber beam strengthening and repairs. Site visit to a nearby structure for assessment and review of options. Pointing and grouting; Looking at more timber repairs; A look at repairs for metal. Medium intervention case studies.
19.00-19.45 - Dinner
20.00-21.30 - Evening case studies and discussion. Sharing problem cases with advice from the expert tutors and other course participants.

Day 4 - Justifying Significant Intervention - together with a miscellany of thoughts
Potential topics include the structural impacts from service installations; cantilever stairs; traffic vibrations; effects of climate change on structures; boundary walls; jacking structures; moving structures; conservation of modern movement buildings; limecrete; underpinning.
Group Discussion Visit to the Ruinette to review masonry repair techniques. Major case studies. The value of accreditation and CARE for Engineers. Issue of certificates and departure.

General Information

Tutors

Ed Morton - conservation tutor at West Dean College

Edward Morton

Ed Morton is Managing Director of The Morton Partnership and an Engineer Accredited in Conservation. He has over 30 years’ experience in conservation and is currently Cathedral Engineer to Westminster Abbey, York Minster, Canterbury, Durham, Southwark and Ely Cathedrals. 

Gez Pegram

Gez Pegram

Gez is a Director of Mason Clark Associates based in York. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a Chartered Structural Engineer and an Engineer Accredited in Building Conservation (CARE). He has nearly thirty years of experience on a diverse and challenging range of construction projects. These have included new build civil and structural engineering schemes, and the heritage sector.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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