School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology

Connie Gerrow

Connie Gerrow

Qualifications

2012 MSc. Heritage Science Pass with Distinction, QUB
2011 BA Hons Ancient History and Archaeology, QUB

Postgraduate

Email: cgerrow01@qub.ac.uk

Address

School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology (GAP)
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast, BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland, UK

Current Research: Environmental Change (EC)

Long term sandstone weathering behaviour following surface conservation techniques

A wide range of stone treatments are available including those that are primarily aimed at consolidating fragile surfaces, coatings that are designed to protect against the bonding of graffiti paints and those aimed at preventing or limiting the penetration of moisture and the growth of algae and lichen. However, the most frequently practised stone surface intervention is that involving cleaning which includes a variety of procedures, each with differing degrees of impact on the structural and mineralogical integrity of the stone, but overall this is the practise that can most radically alter the appearance of a stone structure.

Within the UK a significant industry has grown up providing stone surface treatments with many firms recommending specific ‘treatment systems’. However, stone surface treatments remain controversial because their application invariably changes stone surface and near surface conditions either by adding a substance to the stone or by removing a surface layer. Consequently many of these treatments may have implications for the weathering response and hence, the long-term durability of the treated stone.

For example, stone cleaning has been widely practised in the UK for many decades but there still remains considerable uncertainty regarding the long-term effect of this, reflecting the fact that stone as a complex material is often not well understood by those who practise cleaning. In the past research emphasis has tended to focus on identification of the most effective method(s) of cleaning rather than on gaining a better understanding of the short, medium and long-term impacts on post-cleaning weathering response of the stone itself.

There is a wealth of literature describing the damage that can arise through the use of inappropriate cleaning procedures and the costly effect of this both in terms of subsequent remediation and loss or damage of the historic fabric. However, investigation of the effect of even well managed and appropriately implemented cleaning procedures on subsequent weathering response and immediate stone surface stability is limited.

In light of these comments, this PhD project aims to address this issue through investigation of the effectiveness of selected surface treatments and their impact on subsequent weathering response of historic and quarry fresh stone under field and laboratory conditions. Central to the implementation of this research project is adoption of a geomorphological approach to evaluate the benefits of such treatments and development of the philosophical debate over whether such treatment should actively be encouraged through grant aided programmes.

Supervisors

Dr Patricia Warke
Dr Jennifer McKinley
Dr Stephen McCabe

Additional Information:

Current research funded by Historic Scotland.