The Earth’s interior and elements of Plate Tectonic theory. The lithogenic cycle. Genesis and classification of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Technical and mechanical properties of rocks and their use as stone materials. Weathering of rocks. Products of weathering. The main rock types used in Tuscany: examples from Florence. Hand-specimen identification of rocks.
Peccerillo - Elementi di Petrologia Ignea e Metamorfica. Morlacchi ed.;
Morbidelli - Le rocce e i loro costituenti. Bardi ed.;
Mottana - Fondamenti di Mineralogia Geologica – Zanichelli ed.;
Amoroso e Camaiti – Scienza dei materiali e restauro - Alinea Editrice;
Lazzarini e Tabasso – Il restauro della pietra – CEDAM Editore;
Rodolico – Le Pietre delle città d’Italia – Le Monnier Firenze;
Primavori – Pianeta Pietra - Giorgio Zusi Editore;
Sartori – Pietre e Marmi di Firenze – Alinea Editrice;
Pecchioni, Fratini, Cantisani – Le malte antiche e moderne tra tradizione ed innovazione – Patron Ed.
Learning Objectives
The course will teach the students to recognise and distinguish the different rocks and their applications in the field of Cultural Heritage.The aim of the course is to teach the student the petrographic techniques to recognise and make a proper scientific classification of rocks commonly used in the field of cultural heritage.
Prerequisites
Chemistry
Mineralogy and Applied Mineralogy
Teaching Methods
Blackboard, video-projector for computer, hand specimens of rocks.
Type of Assessment
The cultural skill will be checked through an oral final colloquium.
Course program
The Earth’s interior: crust, mantle and core, litosphere and astenosphere. Pressure, temperature and density variations with depth. Plate tectonic. Elements of geology. Lithogenic cycle. Rock-forming minerals. Genesis and classification of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical characteristics of rocks. Technical and mechanical properties. Petrographic and commercial classification. Utilisation of rocks as stone materials. Natural and artificial materials. Mortars, plasters and cements. Weathering of rocks. Products of weathering. Conservation and restoration: examples. Main rock types used in Tuscany: examples from Florence. Hand-specimen identification of rocks.