English Heritage Research Transactions (Volume 1)

Citation

Hurst, L. (1998), "English Heritage Research Transactions (Volume 1)", Structural Survey, Vol. 16 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.1998.11016dae.001

English Heritage Research Transactions (Volume 1)

English Heritage Research Transactions (Volume 1)James & James (Scientific Publishers) Ltd for English Heritage£30x + 118 pp.Keywords Buildings, History, Metals, Research

This new series of Research Transactions, launched with this first volume on metals, is being published to make the results of the research carried out by English Heritage available to a wider audience. Future volumes are forecast on Stone and Mortar, Earth, and Timber, planned for publication in 1998-1999.

The six papers in volume 1 cover research on the behaviour of structural cast iron, underside lead corrosion and lightning protection, together with studies on cathodic protection to the buried metal clamps in the Inigo Jones Gateway, conservation of a lead structure and the protection of architectural wrought iron work in a marine environment. At the end is a list of the projects in English Heritage's Research Programme on Historic building materials, their decay and their treatment 1992-1993 and 1997-1998. There are 20 coloured plates and figures in the text.

Space will have to be found for this series on the shelves of anyone who surveys or works on old buildings ­ historic or not.

The fact which emerges from the second research paper, that underside lead corrosion is not fully understood and that there is no sure way of detailing to avoid its occurrence, will be no excuse for not knowing when it can be expected to occur, nor for lack of appreciation of the mechanics of thermal pumping. How many times have you seen plywood or other manufactured boards detailed as a substrate for lead without appreciating that if it becomes wet from condensation or water ingress underside corrosion failure can be rapid, with severe symptoms occurring within typically five to 20 years!

In his preface, John Fidler tells us that "well-meaning through ill-informed repairs can be just as harmful as wilful neglect". This lesson needs to be repeated again and again, until surveyors and bricklayers and anyone else responsible for conserving and maintaining existing buildings understand how and why materials react together. This series can be expected to tell us of successful repairs, and, more importantly, why other repairs have failed, and hence help us all to learn from English Heritage's hard won and honest experience. Any vehicle that enables us to learn from other's failures, and successes, is to be welcomed. Buy Volume 1 and subscribe to the next.

Available from James & James, 35-37 William Road, London NW1 3ER. Tel: 0171 387 8558; Fax: 0171 387 8998; E-mail : orders@jxj.com

Lawrie Hurst