Microclimatology Applied to Cultural Heritage

A.Y. 2023/2024
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
GEO/12
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
To introduce physical quantities and processes which control the state and the dynamical evolution of the atmosphere surrounding objects of historical, artistic, cultural interest. The focus will be (1) on the effects of the variability of temperature, humidity, radiation, air pollution on cultural heritage and (2) on the monitoring techniques of micro-meteorology.
Expected learning outcomes
Ability to read technical and scientific texts about measuring instruments, monitoring procedures, data analysis, physical processes related to the interaction of cultural heritage with surrounding atmosphere.
Ability to recognize the effects of microclimate and air quality on the cultural heritage.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1) Microclimate, air, temperature, humidity (basic thermodynamics applied to the study of closed spaces and to conservation practice). Methods of measurement and monitoring of temperature and humidity.
2) Description of air masses and of vertical motions (equivalent, potential and virtual temperature, adiabatic gradient, atmosphere stability). Methods of measurement and monitoring of wind and air circulation indoor.
3) Radiation. Natural and artificial illumination. Methods of measurement and monitoring of radiation.
4) Physics of condensation and rainfall. Methods of measurements of rainfall.
5) Dispersion of pollutants and atmospheric instability. Dry and wet deposition.
6) Basic acoustics.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of physics.
Teaching methods
Traditional lectures. Fast quizzes (multiple-choice questions) will be proposed during lectures, whereas autonomous activities will be proposed as homework between successive lectures; these activities will be performed with telematic synchronous and/or asynchronous instruments.
Final lectures will be devoted to a practical test, including: (1) the analysis of the national norm UNI 10829; (2) writing a report about one of the following items: (a) design of the activities of this norm in a specific site; (b) guide-lines for its actualization in a given context (e.g., exhibition room, interior of a church or of a cathedral, etc.); (c) guide-lesines to design the first phase described by the norm; (3) as an alternative to point 2, if possible, visit to a museum or a building of architectonic or historical interest, for a qualitative fast assessment of the microclimatic conditions, the design of the phase 1 of the cited norm and the writing of a report.
Teaching Resources
Dario Camuffo
Microclimate for Cultural Heritage 3rd Edition
Measurement, Risk Assessment, Conservation, Restoration, and Maintenance of Indoor and Outdoor Monuments
Elsevier Science, 2019
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written test with four multiple-chioice questions and two open-ended questions, followed by an oral exam.
Students, who participate to the practical activity and submit the relative report, will not answer the second open-ended question.

For the oral exam and open-ended questions, the assessment criteria are the ability to organize the presentation of knowledge and the mastery of the results illustrated in the report and of the topics taught during the lectures.
For the written report the assessment criteria are the ability to describe in a clear and rigorous way the results, the skill in the use of the specialistic lexicon and the ability to apply what has been taught during the lectures.

The final evaluation is expressed with a mark in thirtieth and accounts for the assessment of the written and oral exams; the assessment of the results of quizzes and homework can give an incremental, additional bonus for the final mark.
GEO/12 - OCEANOGRAPHY AND PHYSICS OF THE ATMOSPHERE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Giudici Mauro
Professor(s)
Reception:
By phone or mail appointment
via Botticelli 23