Head of Laboratory

Nunes Cristiana Lara, Mgr., Ph.D.
Research activities

The laboratory specializes in determining the chemical composition and physical properties of rocks and mortars. We perform measurements of moisture content, porosity and pore parameters, and chemical and mineralogical characteristics of materials using XRF; thermal analyses and wet silicate analyses; and determinations of the sorption and water transport properties of construction materials. We use standard as well as proprietary testing methods. We use proprietary instruments for in-situ measurements of surface water absorption in civil engineering structures and proprietary procedures for measuring material surface cohesion. We are currently developing equipment to measure the forces generated during the salt crystallization process.

Measurement of water surface absorption of stone prior to the renovation of a vase in the gardens of Valtice Chateau.

Chemical analysis of the sample of historic render using electron microscopy : BSE image and elemental map of the same area, red – lime binder, blue – dolomitic binder, Si – silliceous aggregate of the mortar.

Example: Analysis of sgraffito and paintings for the Faculty of Restoration at the University of Pardubice

Sokolov - kindergarten facade, sgraffito
Sokolov - kindergarten facade, sgraffito - in detail	Kynžvart Bath – facade of house, no. 326D, sgraffito

Questions under study:
1. Is it lime sgraffito only or is there a lime additive?
2. What is its stratigraphy? (if practicable with respect to the sample quality)
3. Does the red-coloured layer contain pigments? Or is it tinted with crushed brick?
4. Is the white top layer only a coat or a thin layer of stucco? (Does it contain sand or a similar filler?) 

Ostrov nad Ohří - corridor in building No. 1357, wall painting by Jíra	Ostrov nad Ohří - corridor in building No. 1356, wall painting by Jíra

Questions under study:
1. Stratigraphy
2. Analysis of materials used - is the painting on lime plaster or gypsum plaster? What paints were used? (oil/acrylate binder, etc.?)