PPC at Lavello convent: toward a sustainable conservation plan after the restoration

The proposal aims at illustrating how diagnostic can be a useful tool in prevention and maintenance activities. The case study will show how scientific results can be an effective evaluation indicators for the assessment of intervention durability and a base for drawing up a conservation plan. The paper reports the various inspections and studies for planning the conservation activities of the complex 12 years after the end of restoration works. Conservation plan achieved the goal to gather the widespread information produced before, during and after the restoration, in order to support the coordination of the maintenance/management activities in charge to different stakeholders. The investigations at Lavello Convent will drive the conservation activities choices: first of all the need to check the most vulnerable and critical parts, elements and systems that remain under risk of damage due to the environmental and soil conditions, mainly due to high humidity and moisture. Researchers used advanced and innovative diagnostics with the aim to study the critical zones and find out the most durable materials and product to repair the altered restoration materials: 1 - the susceptibility of some plaster surface to biodeterioration and the use of biocide treatments. 2 - the state of conservation of plasters and the survey for the correct mix design (binder aggregate) in order to apply a mortar with a good compatibility respect to the masonry underneath. Researchers investigated points 1and 2 both in situ and in laboratory tests, collecting data before and after the experimental treatment at different time intervals, in order to highlight the effects of treatment itself. The data collected could be relevant also for a discussion on the durability of “traditional” materials applied in contemporary operational conditions.