183-MIB : Microbial impacts on building materials - Weathering and conservation
Technical Committee 183-MIB
General Information
Cluster D
Subject matter
MATERIALS TO BE STUDIED: Concrete, mortar, natural stones (the mineralogical similarity of these materials allows studying them together) and polymers are supposed to be studied. Produced samples and structures in service will be concerned. PHENOMENA TO BE STUDIED: The phenomena to be studied are the biophysical and biochemical impacts in the deterioration of building materials and their relevance for construction and conservation treatments. INVESTIGATION: A general survey and experimental research will be carried out and a database will be created. Three aspects will be considered: experimental study on produced samples, theoretical study of the phenomena and observation of the materials within structures. Microbial impacts on building materials is a new subject and only some empirical experience and monodisciplinary research data on microbial impacts on building materials exist. However, no systematic and interdisciplinary approach has been undertaken in this field so far.
Terms of reference
TIME: It is expected to finish the work of the Committee in four years: one year for the literature survey and evaluation of the state of the art (target: state-of-the-art report, STAR), two years for the initiation, formulation and organisation of interdisciplinary research projects, and one year for the establishment and, finally, coordination of a database about MIC - Mechanisms and case studies dealing with microbial impact on building materials. MEMBERSHIP: Since this is a multidisciplinary study, many of the researchers who can work in this TC (biologists, for instance) are not RILEM members, but they could join RILEM in the early future. Some of them have already been contacted and are making a decision about it. The TC intends to recruit RILEM members working on this matter to collaborate in this study. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH: The bibliographical work and the database, as well as the applied techniques, will imply computer processing. Questions concerning technical equipment, reference material or round robin tests will be discussed during the work of the committee and the preparation of research activities.
Detailed working programme
The programme can be summarized for the following topics · Elaboration of the State-of-the-Art Report (STAR) about 'Microbial impact on building materials' · Preparation of national and international research projects · Improvement of a Database about MIC - Mechanisms and case studies on microbial impacts on building materials.
Technical environment
The new TC will be linked to the existing committees of RILEM: TC 116-PCD ( Dr J. KROPP): Permeability of concrete as a criterion of its durability TC ECB (Prof. K. Ödeen): Environmental criteria for building products It will also be linked to the international associations: Biodeterioration Society (UK) DECHEMA - Biotechnology Section: Working Group AA7 "Microbial material deterioration and protection" (Germany)
Expected achievements
The direct benefit of the TC's work will be to improve the durability of studied building materials. The TC will produce: * State-of-the-Art report (bibliography) * Database for an information network * Terminology * An attempt to harmonize analysis and observation methods The TC also intends to organize: * Workshops * Symposium * Training courses
Group of users
The results of the TC are directed towards: · Testing laboratories · Architects · Building and structures engineers · Producers of building materials
Specific use of the results
