Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage

First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION – REFURBISHMENT OF

OLD BUILDINGS
LECTURER : Dr.-Ing. Marco Wolf
NAME : PAILA
FIRST NAME : MADHU
MATRICULATION NUMBER : 5059665

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WORK :

I, Madhu Paila, hereby declare that the content of this submission is my own work based on the
notes, personal study and research.

Madhu Paila
DATE : 28.07.202

1.Describe which wood property is called working of the wood and explain the causes!
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

 Shrinkage and swelling are known as the “working of the wood”.

 The water in wood is found in free and bound forms, depending on where it is located
within the cells.
 The release of the bound water is slow because it diffuses through the cell walls.
 When the water is released from the fibers, i.e. below the fiber saturation of
approx.30% wood moisture content, the volume decreases and the shape of the wood
changes, the wood shrinks.
 Intermittent moisture absorption can cause wood to swell and crack. When this
happens, the wood's volume increases again, which causes it to bulge.

2.Explain the terms solid wood, real wood, veneer wood, and board plywood!
 Solid wood - belongs to the category describing pieces of solid wood that are
completely cut from a log and, if necessary, assembled by tenoning and gluing in
accordance with therequirements for quality and required geometry.
 Real wood products are those that have been manufactured from real wood, but
where the glue content and the wood's structure are not clearly defined.
 Plywood – These are thin sheets of wood cut from a log or part of a log by peeling,
cutting or sawing. Depending on the type of use, a distinction is made between cover
veneers and locking veneers.
 plywood board - refers to boards consisting of at least three layers of wood glued
together crosswise, cross bonding limits the action of wood, since the shrinkage and
swelling directions of individual wood layers run in opposite directions.They clog each
other.

3.Name four types of joints in timber construction (key points allowed)!

 Corner Halving : The first of the halving joints where half the thickness of the timber is
removed from each piece so that they interlock.
 Dove Tail Joint: For applications where more strength is needed than what is
available from a simple T joint, a U joint is available. The angles of the cuts made in the
joint pieces make it so that they fit together without needing screws or nails.
 T halving : The term 'halving' is used when an intermediate timber meets an edge
timber. This means that the two timbers are cut in half, creating two new timbers that
are exactly the same size. The joint is created when the end of one piece of wood is fit
into the recess on the other, with a portion of the thickness of the wood removed.
 Cross halving: A similar technique to the T halving, but used for intermediate
frameworks. Half the thickness of both boards is removed where the cross is made.
 Butt joint : The contact area of these basics for all joints is limited to the end of the
piece of wood resting on the surface of the second piece. The JOINT is the weakest
type of joint, and is not good for use on thin frames

4.What is the difference between mortar and concrete?

Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

Concrete and mortar are both used in construction projects, but there are some
differences in their composition and therefore their strength, which means they should not be
interchanged and one should not be used as a substitute for the other.
 Mortar : As mentioned above, mortar is also made up of cement. While concrete is
made of cement, water, sand, and gravel mixed in different proportions, mortar
consists of cement, water, and lime aggregate. However, mortar is not as durable as
concrete and is more of an addition to a project, rather than the main building
material.Mortar is most commonly used between bricks, stones, or blocks and is
generally applied as a glue ingredient. It can also be used for molding and ornamental
purposes.

 Concrete : Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel. The water activates the
cement, which then binds together to form a solid. Concrete can be used in a variety of
ways, such as slabs or stone, for patios or driveways, or even as the foundation for
walls. The strength of concrete is determined by the proportion of sand and gravel that
are added. Some jobs require different strengths and skills.Since concrete becomes
hard once set, it can be used as a reinforcement for mesh on walls and buildings.

5.What is the difference between cement and concrete?

 Cement : Cement is a product made from a mixture of iron, aluminum, silicon,
calcium, and other substances found in limestone, shells, chalk, clay, iron ore, and
silica sand. The ingredients that are heated to a high temperature are used to create a
rock-like substance that is ground into an extremely fine powder. This powder is then
used to create cement.Cement is mixed with water and aggregate to form concrete.
 Concrete : Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel. The water activates the
cement, which then binds together to form a solid. Concrete can be used in a variety of
ways, such as slabs or stone, for patios or driveways, or even as the foundation for
walls. The strength of concrete is determined by the proportion of sand and gravel that
are added. Some jobs require different strengths and skills.Since concrete becomes
hard once set, it can be used as a reinforcement for mesh on walls and buildings.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, cement and concrete are
actually not the same. Cement, which is not often used alone, is actually an ingredient
in concrete. For example, your home’s slab foundation is likely made of concrete,
which was made with cement, plus other ingredients.

6.For which construction measures additional approvals are required for renovation.
 Changes in Use
 Dormers, loft conversions, changing the roof pitch, etc.,
 Openings through load-bearing walls, supports of load-bearing walls
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

 Extensions
 Demolition of larger parts of the building
 Extension of the basement for permanent use
 Installation of boiler rooms
 Construction of oil deposits
 Sewage system remodeling•
 Major exterior design change

7.Name 3 methods to improve the foundation and explain one a little more!
 To improve foundation performance, some specific procedures can be followed.
 Subsoil Injection method
 Jet Grouting
 Micro piles,pile re-foundations
 Jet Grouting Method:
Jet grouting is a method of soil stabilization which involves the injection of a
stabilizing fluid into the subsoil (or the soil under treatment) under high pressure under
high velocity. The injection process involves a certain amount of site preparation as
well as injection equipment. The soil stabilization by jet grouting is occurs due to the
hardening of grouted fluid within the soil. These hardened bodies forms like cemented
columns which are grouted in numerous numbers as per requirement, thus stabilizing
the soil. These columns are called as jet columns or jet grouted columns.

8.Why should basements be waterproofed from the outside?

 The big problem with basements is that moisture can get inside and damage the walls
and floor.
 Moisture has a very negative effect on the thermal insulation properties of the wall.
 Damage to the masonry in the cellar can lead to the growth of mold, which can
damage the goods stored there.
 Rising moisture from the basement can lead to rot on wooden beams and columns.The
water also causes corrosion to the iron girders in the ceilings.
 In order to minimize the damage caused by water, basements need to be waterproofed
from the outside.

9.What is a horizontal barrier and why do you need two if necessary?

 When waterproofing slurries are applied, little attention is paid to the presence of an
upper horizontal barrier (such as a roof) or to its subsequent creation before the walls
are waterproofed.
 It is often not taken into account that the barrier layer should be at least 80 cm above
the wet area, closing the wall from the inside lowers the evaporation surface, so
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

moisture continues to move upwards through capillary suction and...It does not leak
through the previous vacuum in the wall area.
 In general, load-bearing steel girders and the first floor area should be at least 80 cm
away from areas where moisture damage is likely to occur.
 If the distance is not given, a horizontal barrier should be installed subsequently.

10.Name 3 mechanical methods for retrofitting a horizontal barrier.Enumeration allowed!

 1.Mansory Replacement method:
 This method uses chisels to remove sections of the masonry with a thickness
of 50 cm to 1 m.
 A sealing sheet is folded up at the ends to form an overlap, and then inserted
into the gap created between the sections.
 The section is then bricked up. When the initial sections have hardened,
subsequent sections are processed in the same way to create a continuous
horizontal barrier.
 The downside to this method is that it can take a long time to complete if
done correctly, because the new sections must first reach the minimum
compressive strength before new sections can be caulked out

.2.Wall sawing method:

 In the masonry sawing process, horizontal cuts are made in the wall in sections. 
 A pressure-resistant sealing plate is inserted into the resulting gap, and immediately
after that, the wedge plates are forcibly installed before the machine can move.
 The remaining cavity is sealed with a grouting mortar.To use the process, you must first
exclude any possibility of arch thrust, which could make it impossible to use the
process.
 Another downside is that any lines or pipes running through the wall are likely to be cut
through.

3.Chrome Steel Sheet Method:

 In this process, a corrugated steel sheet is driven into the masonry with air hammers in
an overhanging pattern.
 To have a continuous bearing joint in your masonry, the walls must be plastered.
 A strip about 20 cm thick must be chiseled free in the working area.
 The salt content in the masonry should be known, because high salt content can
corrode the chrome steel sheet, which would require special sheets to be used.
 For building in earthquake-prone areas, the use of buildings with slopes can be
problematic because the building could slide due to the resulting shear pressure on the
basement walls.
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

 The disadvantage of the secure sealing overlap of sheets when binding interior walls is
that these points can be weak points.

11.Name 3 typical detail damages in basements and explain how to fix them. Enumeration
permitted.
a).Moisture in the area of the outer basement staircase:
 There may be leakage between the masonry below the basement floor and the wall
attached to the basement neck, due to cracks.
 The water from the rain penetrates the surface and basement of the step and wall
transition area, causing settlement cracks to form.
 No drain, too small or clogged, rainwater collects.
 It is usually advised to cover the area around the exterior stairs of your basement with
a small roof to avoid the previously mentioned problems from the start.

b).Moisture damage to the light wells:

 Moisture can sometimes get through cracks in moisture light wells and into the
basement, where it can damage the vertical seal.
 Often, the drains of old light wells are not deep enough, blocked or connected to a
drainage system that has become clogged over time, so that rainwater accumulates in
the light well and flows into the cellar and the masonry.
 If the old light wells are to be retained, they must be integrated into the vertical
waterproofing system.
 At the transition points, it is advisable to use fabric reinforcements to strengthen the
waterproofing and minimize cracking in the waterproofing.
 To prevent water from accumulating at the top of the light well, the edge of the well
should be sloped outward.Barrier plasters or sealant slurries may also be necessary.

C).Wall Moisture penetration at pipe penetrations:

 When pipes enter and exit a building, there is a high chance of water leakage and
damage.
 This is especially common with older buildings. 
 If these penetrations are not integrated into the external waterproofing, the leakages
are pre-programmed due to different processing of the material of the pipe and the
walls of the mineral cellar.Often, the connections between pipes have been made after
the pipes have been walled in.
 This is then sealed in one operation
.
 There are basically 3 methods to choose for subsequent sealing:
 The seal around a pipe is made from the outside with a thick coating of bitumen.
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

 The seal around a pipe is made from the inside with an injection method.
 The seal around a pipe is made with barrier plaster from the inside.

12.Explain the restoration of a plinth masonry

 The plinth area of exterior walls often has a projecting design and is
therefore particularly stressed by rainwater running down and penetrating.
 In addition, there is the greater exposure to splash water, surface water and
salts.
 For renovation, the plinth area should be exposed up to the vertical
waterproofing, or up to the upper horizontal barrier.
 If this is not present, but rising damp is diagnosed, then a horizontal barrier
should be created.
 For masonry that is exposed to the elements, the spalled stone surfaces
must be restored and the friable joints replaced.
 For natural stone and solid brick, special rock flour mortars or coloured
special mortars are available in stores.
 For solid bricks, a jointing of soft trass joint mortar is recommended.
 If you're using absorbent surfaces, it's recommended to coat the stones and
especially the joint surfaces with a hydrophobic agent that is appropriate for
stone material. It must be repeated after a few years.
 If you have plastered bases, it is a good idea to cover them with a sealant.

13.How do you investigate cracks in exterior walls?

 From the history it is not clear that a vibration crack was caused by a past event, it
must be clarified by further investigations whether the crack is still alive.
 This examination is simple but time-consuming; plaster marks or special crack
monitors are placed over the crack at regular intervals and observed for several
weeks.Compared to plaster marks, crack monitors offer the advantage of documenting
the degree of movement and not rotting over time.
 Construction-related cracks should be closed with a non-positive fit in order to restore
the bond of the masonry and thus the stability.
 Pressure injection systems and/or spiral anchors can be used for force-locking crack
closure.
 Diagonal drilling ensures that the crack in larger wall sections can be completely filled,
with the drill holes and crack being dusted off beforehand.

14.Why do joints in old exterior walls and facades often break out or stone chips off?
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

 The main cause of joints breaking out in masonry is the use of more pressure-resistant
cement mortar than lime mortar.
 This is just as hard as solid brick, and so the joints can't withstand the pressure.
 The cement grout does not absorb any possible deformation of the lime mortar, and
can break away from the joint and in the worst case, cause shearing at the masonry
unit.
 Damaged and friable joints on the entire surface shall be scraped, cleaned and pre-
primed.
 For the new joint of solid bricks, the accumulated lime mortar should be used instead
of the cement mortar.

15.What is needling,how it is done?

 Using a long drill bit, punch deep enough into the wall at regular intervals through the
broken element about twice the diameter of the trailing needle (low speed, no
percussion drilling)
 Blowing out the drilled hole and removing dust
 Spray the drilling hole with special mortar
 Hammer in stainless steel anchor (helical anchor) .
 Broken plaster elements must be completely reconstructed.

16.What should be considered when carrying out interior insulation?

 In general, active capillary systems, such as insulation made from mineral foam,
cellulose, or calcium silicate boards, or methods using inexpensive cladding with an
insulated gypsum plaster board facing can be used for interior insulation.
 The area between the outer wall and the insulation is particularly critical.
 Here, the backflow of air and the high temperature gradient can lead to the formation of
condensation and moisture penetration of moisture-sensitive components such as
wooden beams and thus to mold and pest infestation.
 Capillary open systems are more favorable in terms of room climate due to the
moisture transport, but can lead to greater moisture formation in this transition area
than closed systems.
 Areas with possible thermal bridges are to be regarded as particularly at risk.

These are:
 Window reveals
 Binding interior walls
 Wooden joist ceilings
Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

17.What work has to be done if an insulating glazing is to be inserted into an existing old
window?
 If you are replacing an old putty joint, be sure to cut it off completely so that any
asbestos fibers are removed.
 The old glass pane was removed.
 Cut a groove in the window glass for the double glazing. This may require dismantling
the window sashes and machining them in the workshop.
 Insertion of the new double glazing
 The new putty joint fits the cover profiles perfectly.

18.Why are vertical cracks often found in the interior walls of old houses? How are they
repaired?
 The interior walls of old townhouses often have cracks running vertically.
 This is because of the vibrations and the different work of wooden beams and masonry
of the wall.
 For renovation, the plaster in the affected area can be removed using an overhang of
about 20 cm to the sides of the beam.
 A barrier foil is then stapled onto the beam to protect it, and the beam is then stretched
with a ribbed expanded metal band with a sufficient projection to the masonry.
 Nailing the expanded metal to the beam should be done exclusively in the masonry,
so that the beam can move freely.
 A thin, rough layer of mortar is spread over the expanded metal with the trowel.
 The plaster is applied the next day, if possible. Rather than using metal expansion to fill
in a crack, fabric may be inserted into the plaster.
 However, the lessening of the crack bridging effect of fabric may make it less effective
than using metal expansion.

19.What problems do I have to consider when renovating a wooden beam ceiling?

 Renovation can involve a lot of complex planning and coordination, so it's important to
be aware of common problems that can occur..:
 In case of higher loads due to new floor structure or additional plasterboard ceiling, the
shape of the ceiling may change
 Due to the lack of standardization and the condition of the beams used are often
unclear - because individual beams are bent or sunk into the masonry at the support
points.

20.What is a warm roof/Cold roof? What is the difference between them?

Name: Paila Course: Master’s in Architectural and Cultural Heritage
First Name: Madhu Matriculation-Nr.: 5059665

Cold roof:
Cold roof insulation is installed between the floor joists, meaning there is very little loss
of height. However, ventilation is required. It's called a "Cold Roof" because it is slightly less
efficient than a warm roof - this is because the rafters themselves remain uninsulated.
Warm roof:
A warm roof is where the insulation is attached to the roof decking and rafters, which
makes it a quick and easy way to provide thermal protection. This also means it will be
cheaper for you.