Presentation
Presentation
José Saporiti Machado
Head of Unit
The Conservation of the Natural and Built Heritage Unit (NCP) was established in March 2024 with the purpose of bringing together a body of existing knowledge at LNEC in natural materials such as wood and stone, as well as in the tile sector, where LNEC has had significant activity over the past decades.
The NCP has a specialized and multidisciplinary team of researchers and senior technicians, with solid academic backgrounds and extensive experience in the areas assigned to the Center. It is equipped with infrastructure, equipment, and laboratory techniques that support research activities and service provision in the characterization and conservation of construction materials used in built heritage.
The NCP is equipped to carry out advanced tests on the biological degradation of materials of natural origin, as well as the physical and mechanical characterization of construction materials. It also has established expertise in the analysis and characterization of stone.
Activity
R&D&I activity and support for the conservation of natural and built heritage is carried out in the following areas:
- Physical, chemical, mechanical and biological characterization of materials (stone, tiles and wood), in the field of construction;
- Study of historical tile production technology and support for its current production;
- Evaluation of wood products for construction, contributing to greater incorporation of bioproducts in construction, in line with the European Green Deal goal of a lower carbon footprint in the construction sector;
- Evaluation of the durability and protection of wood and other biomaterials, to ensure the conservation of wooden elements;
- Studying degradation phenomena and material conservation and restoration techniques (wood, stone and ceramics) to help safeguard natural and built heritage;
- Research into strategies for preventing and controlling the degradation of materials (wood, stone and tiles);
- Methods for digitization and monitoring of heritage;
- Monitoring the risks of infestation of natural materials used in construction such as wood and stone and in the tile sector and identifying the degradation agents involved;
- Application, development and optimization of methods associated with integrated control strategies for agents of biological degradation of biomaterials;
- Sustainable application of biomaterials in construction, from a circularity perspective.
Different research projects are being developed at the NCP, as part of LNEC's Research and Innovation Strategy (E2I) for the 2022-2027 period:
As part of the implementation of its activities, the NCP has Operational Units:
- Evaluation of wood products and systems laboratory (UAPM)
- Prevention of Biodeterioration Laboratory (UPB)