Principles and Methodology of Intervention for Structural Restoration

We use the term structural restoration for those interventions that are carried out on monuments in order to restore the bearing capacity of the whole or of parts that have structural problems. Most of the structural problems of the Acropolis monuments are due to the cracking and splintering of the marble caused by the rusting of the extensive iron reinforced elements that had been inserted during earlier interventions, especially during the restoration made by Balanos at the beginning of the 20 century, and from other causes too (explosions, displacements caused by earthquake, fires, and so on). In the course of the interventions parts of the monuments that were restored in the past – and, in some cases, sections that had not been restored before but which show the same signs of wear and breakage – are dismantled The articulated system of construction of classical building facilitates this sort of work. The dismantled pieces undergo conservation while on the ground. The old rusted metal reinforcements are removed. The fragments of the architectural members are then joined using titanium rods and a special cement based mortar. Where deemed necessary, missing parts of the members are filled in with new Pentelic marble so as to restore their original structural efficiency. When they have been repaired, the architectural members are set again on the monument and joined by means of titanium clamps and dowels that are consolidated in the ancient tenon holes and cuttings with an inorganic binding material.