Papers by DAVID M FREIRE-LISTA
Geoheritage
Geoconservation, geotourism and geodiversity are concepts that should be taught at all educationa... more Geoconservation, geotourism and geodiversity are concepts that should be taught at all educational levels. The entire society should preserve the natural resources in a sustainable way. Geological processes and quarrying created and still creates cultural heritage in landscapes, villages and cities worldwide. Rock outcrops, historical quarries, forms of extraction and buildings built with stones are a heritage that should safeguard. This work details a geotourism route that would bring new life to Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro University (UTAD) campus. The proposed route connects a historical quarry located in the UTAD campus with the main church built with its granite and different rock outcrops that show the geological history of the city of Vila Real (Portugal). It envisages a three-points of interest tour from the Fernando Real Geology Museum (UTAD) to a church built with Prezandães granite from Folhadela.
The repeated action of simulated freeze-thaw cycles on Cadalso de los Vidrios Granite, promotes d... more The repeated action of simulated freeze-thaw cycles on Cadalso de los Vidrios Granite, promotes differential micro-cracking and loss of cr ystals at the surface and therefore decay. It is possible to establish a relationship between the evolution of the ultrasound waves velocity (Vp) with the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the generation of microcracks. Intergranular cracks are formed during the first cycles and these propagate towards the inner part of each individual crystals as the freeze-thaw cycles advance. Therefore, after 280 freeze-thaw cycles different patterns of microcracking can be observed depending on the mineralogy. Quartz is the mineral displaying more intense cracking while biotite shows less cracking, in part due to its more ductile behaviour. Micro-cracks appear preferentially at the surface of the samples with a maximum length and depth of 1 cm. Thus, these samples showed limited decay highlighting the good performance of Cadalso de los Vidrios granite against ...
espanolEl conjunto sepulcral de Fernan Perez de Andrade en la Iglesia de San Francisco en Betanzo... more espanolEl conjunto sepulcral de Fernan Perez de Andrade en la Iglesia de San Francisco en Betanzos, A Coruna, (NW de Espana) se considera uno de los mas importantes del gotico gallego. Esta constituido por una lauda y sarcofago sobre una base de dos esculturas zoomorfas: un oso y un jabali. Su lauda y sarcofago estan datados en 1389. El estudio petrografico indica que la piedra de construccion utilizada para el sarcofago y lauda es un leucogranito de la facies de Mariz y la utilizada para la base, es un ortogneis de procedencia cercana a Betanzos. El tipo de piedra y la labra de cada elemento aportan datos para la evaluacion de la manufactura del conjunto escultorico. El deterioro que presenta el sepulcro es debido a fracturas, microfisuras, roturas, aplicacion de cemento portland y ensuciamiento. El deterioro de la base es debido a rubefaccion, eflorescencias salinas, retallado y ensuciamiento. EnglishThe sepulchral set of Fernan Perez de Andrade in the Church of San Francisco in B...
Periodico Di Mineralogia, 2015
Granite is one of the most widely used building stones and is a main component in many heritage b... more Granite is one of the most widely used building stones and is a main component in many heritage buildings. Thermal changes are responsible for decay, especially in granites exposed to weathering. Feldspars are an important component of granites, which are susceptible to microcracking, which causes the disintegration of these crystals. Microcracks generated in feldspars during thermal processes such as freeze-thaw and thermal shock were studied to understand the decay process of granite buildings due to weathering. Using petrographic study techniques of optical microscopy and fluorescence, microcracks propagation (inter- and intracrystalline) was studied in feldspars (potassium feldspars and plagioclases) of two widely used building heritage granites. Potassium feldspars and plagioclases developed different mechanisms of microcracking due their microstructures. The propagation of microcracks occurred predominantly in pre-existing microcracks, contact between minerals and crystallogr...
Many monuments and cities that are part of humanity’s heritage have been built with carved granit... more Many monuments and cities that are part of humanity’s heritage have been built with carved granite ashlars. This dimension stone is one of the most used due to its abundance and durability. Traditional quarrymen have used anisotropic planes to cut granite blocks in the quarry for improved cutting performance. These planes are called Rift, Grain and Hardway (R, G, H) according to the ease of cutting.
The Piedra Berroqueña region occupies an area of approximately 4000 km2 in the Sierra de Guadarra... more The Piedra Berroqueña region occupies an area of approximately 4000 km2 in the Sierra de Guadarrama, Spanish Central System, the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. This region has provided most of the building granites used in Madrid and surrounding provinces. Traditional methods of cutting and carving stone have been preserved and it is easy to locate historic quarries in its landscape in addition to mechanized quarries with large reserves of this dimension stone that is exported worldwide in the form of blocks or slabs with different finishes.
Cadernos do Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe. Revista de Xeoloxía Galega e do Hercínico Peninsular, 2018
Tres fragmentos de piedra que representan una cabeza, un cuerpo y una tapa de sarcófago atribuido... more Tres fragmentos de piedra que representan una cabeza, un cuerpo y una tapa de sarcófago atribuidos a la lauda de Nuno Freire de Andrade II, Gran Maestre de la Orden de Cristo del siglo XIV, fueron analizados para determinar sus propiedades petrográficas, velocidad de propagación de ondas de ultrasonido y color. Los resultados indican que las piedras corresponden a tres tipos litológicos con distinta petrografía, velocidad de propagación de ondas P, color y variación de color entre secas y húmedas. El fragmento de la cabeza corresponde a un ortogneis, el del cuerpo a una granodiorita y el de la tapa de sarcófago a un leucogranito. A partir de estos datos se infiere que ninguno de los tres fragmentos ha formado parte de la misma lauda, ya que las tapas de sarcófagos medievales gallegas talladas en granito estaban hechas en un único bloque de piedra.
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2020
Salt crystallization-induced decay of Vardavard granodiorite and Shirkouh monzogranite, two Irani... more Salt crystallization-induced decay of Vardavard granodiorite and Shirkouh monzogranite, two Iranian building stones, were assessed with two non-destructive methods: saturation-buoyancy technique and P-and S-wave velocity measurement. Moreover, polarized and fluorescence microscopy studies were used to evaluate the behavior of the studied stones at microscopic scale against a salt crystallization aging test. The aging test extended pre-existing microcracks and generated new ones. Intracrystalline microcracking was the most predominant microcrack type for both samples. Fine-grained Vardavard granodiorite experienced higher intercrystalline microcracking than coarse-grained Shirkouh monzogranite. The microcracking mechanism of feldspars substantially depends on their alteration degree and microstructural precursors. When a growing microcrack reaches a biotite, it propagates within the crystal if the growing microcrack coincides with the cleavage plane; otherwise, it propagates as an intercrystalline one. The increase in maximum microcrack length of the samples was higher than the increase in their mean microcrack length. Low-strength Vardavard granodiorite showed higher microcrack width after the aging test. Dry weight loss in low-strength Vardavard granodiorite was more pronounced than in high-strength Shirkouh monzogranite. Dry unit weight decreased at a higher rate than saturated unit weight with the increase of effective porosity. The reduction in ultrasonic wave velocities and the increment in effective porosity and water absorption were more pronounced for Vardavard granodiorite, indicating a higher degree of decay, i.e., higher microcrack generation, enlargement, and widening. Shirkouh monzogranite, which has large-sized crystals and pores, wider initial microcracks, high tensile strength, and low effective porosity and microcrack density, was more durable than Vardavard granodiorite.
Episodes, 2020
Several types of limestones have been traditionally used for building mosques, houses and sheds i... more Several types of limestones have been traditionally used for building mosques, houses and sheds in the Fuwairit archaeological site (NE Qatar). These limestones were characterised, and profiles of semi-collapsed walls examined to estimate the percentage that each building stone occupied and its structural function. Holocene beachrocks were the most used building stones. They were installed mainly as header masonry stones in the walls following coursed random rubble masonry. Pleistocene oolites were used mainly as stretcher masonry stones and Umm Bab Member of Dammam Formation (middle Eocene) as wedges and filling stones of the inner cores between the masonry wall faces. These last building stones were collected in the rocky desert, whose surface is covered by stone fragments resulting from thermal dilatation. Therefore, thermal expansion measurements were performed to investigate the breakage of the Umm Bab Member. Umm Bab Member has the lowest effective porosity and water absorption, and the highest bulk density and ultrasonic pulse velocity. This stone presents the best quality. Oolites have an intermediate quality and beachrocks have the worst quality as building stone. Historic quarries of oolites were found with abandoned stone blocks in Jebel Fuwairit fossil dunes.
Ge-conservacion, 2017
The characterization of building stones used in monuments and the location of their historic quar... more The characterization of building stones used in monuments and the location of their historic quarries is key for maintenance and restoration works. The four most representative building stones of Madrid: flint, granite, Cretaceous dolostone and Miocene limestone, have been used in the Trinitarias Descalzas of San Ildefonso convent of this city. A plaque of Carrara marble was placed on the convent façade in honour of the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes in 1870. The decay of the stones was determined by characterization techniques such as optical polarization and fluorescence microscopy and spectrophotometry. This technique gave information about the colour change between the plinth granite of the convent and quarry granite where it was extracted. The historical documentation complements these data.
Episodes, 2015
approximately 45 km north of Spain's capital city. This was the stone most frequently chosen for ... more approximately 45 km north of Spain's capital city. This was the stone most frequently chosen for Madrid's built heritage due to the abundance and quality of the material and proximity of the quarries (Fort et al., 2013). Its role in the city's heritage, along with its petrography, petrophysics, mechanical and aesthetic properties and durability make this granite a worthy nominee for the Global Heritage Stone Resource (GHSR, Cooper, 2010; Cooper et al., 2013a) designation. The present account of the history and usage of Alpedrete granite and its traditional and modern quarries aims to establish its distinctive identity. This paper discusses the characteristics and legacy (Table 1) of the stone in sufficient detail for GHSR assessment by the Heritage Stone Task Group (HSTG) Board, as specified in the Task Group's Terms of Reference. HSTG establishment is narrated by Cooper et al. (2013b). Alpedrete granite might be regarded as the first of several dimension stones that could contribute to the Piedra Berroqueña region's designation as a "Global Heritage Stone Province". Alpedrete granite, a grey stone that may contain microgranular mafic nodules (Villaseca et al., 1998), has left its imprint on Madrid's architectural personality and forms part of most of the city's buildings and streets. This paper discusses the petrological and petrophysical properties of Alpedrete granite, as well as its durability, historic use and quarries, in support of its nomination for the "Global Heritage Stone Resource" designation.
Minerals, 2019
This study characterises the original construction materials (building stones and mortars) of a c... more This study characterises the original construction materials (building stones and mortars) of a collapsed two-storey colonnaded structure in the Ismail Mandani house, located in the old city centre of Doha (Qatar). Results were drawn based on interpretation and integration of historical, in situ observations and analytical data. The mortars and stones were characterised following a multidisciplinary approach, combining macroscopic observation with petrographic microscopy, mineralogical analysis (X-ray diffraction) and elemental analysis (handheld X-ray fluorescence) of samples. Moreover, hydric properties, ultrasonic pulse velocity and colour of representative samples of the house were studied. The results revealed the use of two types of stones and three different types of gypsum mortars. The original construction materials came from nearby coastal stones. Gypsum of the most used mortar had a calcination temperature between 120 and 160 °C and its colour was produced by lumps with h...
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 2017
In this research, different experimental techniques have been used to determine the strength of f... more In this research, different experimental techniques have been used to determine the strength of four types of travertines, selected from Hamedan and Markazi Provinces, west and central parts of Iran respectively. For this purpose, after sample preparation and assessment of mineral properties, the selected samples were subjected to physical and mechanical tests with special reference to two major anisotropic angles (i.e. perpendicular () and parallel (∥)) between bedding/lamination planes and the major loading directions. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that the percentage/type of matrix and porosity have a more important effect on the physical and mechanical properties than the rock structure. Statistical analyses, including simple and multiple linear regressions, were applied to identify those physico-mechanical parameters that are more appropriate to predict uniaxial compressive strength (and ∥) and to establish some new equations. Data analysis in simple regression shows that bulk specific gravity (saturated surface dry, SSD) and Brazilian tensile strength are the most and the least influential factors on and ∥ , respectively. Based on multiple regression method, equations with only two parameters (a physical and a mechanical parameter) were extracted for calculating and ∥. Among all proposed equations, models 1 and 6 based on SSD-Vp and SSD-CPI variables, seem to be reliable and agreeable to predict and ∥ , respectively. The performance of multiple regression models are evaluated by comparing statistic parameters, including correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), mean error (ME) whose values for σ are 0.86, 11.81, 0.11 and for ∥ are 0.86, 12.97, 0.36. Also based on t-test and F-test, all the proposed models in multiple regression, show significant correlations with σc at α-level = 0.1.
AIMS Geosciences, 2017
The carbonate stones that make up the four fountains of the 18 th century located in the Paseo de... more The carbonate stones that make up the four fountains of the 18 th century located in the Paseo del Prado of Madrid (Spain) are studied. The documentary search in historical archives, together with the petrographic, cartographic and paleontological studies permitted to determine that the fountains have been built with dolostone of the Castrojimeno Formation, with gastropods of the Trochactaeon Lamarcki specie of the Santonian (Upper Cretaceous). The historical quarries from which the ashlars have been extracted is located in Redueña Village. The petrophysical properties of this dolostone (effective porosity, bulk density, mercury intrusion porosity, ultrasound wave propagation velocity, micro-roughness and color) have been calculated and compared with Colmenar de Oreja limestone. Each of the four fountains has a circular pylon at the base, a central column that holds a smaller pylon and is topped by a sculpture that serves as a spout. A bomb destroyed three ashlars of the basal pylon, column, small pylon and the sculpture of the SE fountain, during the Spanish Civil War, in 1936. These damaged elements were replaced by other carved limestones from Colmenar de Oreja in 1944. The four sculptures had been replaced in 1996 with resin replicas and the originals are preserved in the San Isidro. Los orígenes de Madrid museum. The study of the petrophysical properties of the sculptures located in the museum allowed us to determine the decay of different stone types. The analysis of micro-roughness was employed to define that the dissolution 285 AIMS Geosciences Volume 3, Issue 2, 284-303 effect on the sculptures is different between dolostone and limestone. Redueña dolostone is more resistant to dissolution effect than Colmenar de Oreja limestome.
Energy Procedia, 2016
San Pedro leucogranite from A Coruña, in the Northwest of Spain, has been a building stone widely... more San Pedro leucogranite from A Coruña, in the Northwest of Spain, has been a building stone widely used in the Middle Ages. Colour, rarity, appearance and petrophysical properties have led to the use of this leucogranite. Monuments such as churches, tombstones and the basement of the Hercules Tower lighthouse, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, make it an ideal candidate for designation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource.
Engineering Geology, 2017
Granite is found in many world heritage monuments and cities. It continues to be one of the most ... more Granite is found in many world heritage monuments and cities. It continues to be one of the most widely used stones in today's construction, given its abundance, uniformity and durability. Quarrymen traditionally cut this rock along its orthogonal slip planes, where splitting is easier. Ranked by ease of splitting, these planes are rift, grain and hardway. Granite is traditionally quarried along the rift plane where coplanar exfoliaton microcracks coalesce developing a flat surface. This splitting surface minimizes the cost and effort of subsequent hewing. Rift plane was predominantly used on the fair face of ashlars in heritage buildings worldwide. Determining the petrographic and petrophysical behaviour of these three orthogonal splitting planes in granite is instrumental to understanding decay in ashlars and sculptures. The decay of building granite is different in each splitting plane. Alpedrete granite was the stone selected for this study based on the orientation and distribution of exfoliation microcracks and the characterisation of their implications for the anisotropy of petrophysical properties such as ultrasonic wave propagation, capillarity, air permeability, micro-roughness and surface hardness. Inter-and intracrystalline microcrack length and spacing were also measured and quantified. The findings show that the splitting planes in Alpedrete granite are determined by the orientation of exfoliation microcracks, which as a rule are generally straight and intracrystalline and determine the anisotropy of the petrophysical properties analysed. Splitting planes are the orientation that should be applied when performing laboratory tests for the petrographic and petrophysical properties of building granite.
Environmental Earth Sciences, 2016
Masons have traditionally used granite anisotropy to cut and lay the stone. Scaling, a common typ... more Masons have traditionally used granite anisotropy to cut and lay the stone. Scaling, a common type of granite decay, is observed worldwide. This study explored the relationship between weathering and cut planes in heritage ashlars, specifically in the stone on Madrid's Plaza Mayor, whose construction dates back to 1590. The 71 rectangular granite columns that support its porticoes are oriented toward the four cardinal points. All 71 have one exposed side that faces the square, one protected side facing inward and two semi-protected sides perpendicular to the other two. The sides of the columns are also oriented to the points of the compass. This study aimed to identify the prevailing orientation of scaling, if any, in the granite ashlars and to determine how this process is affected by climate, microclimate (orientation), use, hewing and exfoliation microcracks. All four sides of the 71 columns were mapped (284 in all) to analyse scaling height, distribution and orientation. The findings showed that the microcracks are vertically oriented and decline in density and length with depth from the surface. Scaling was observed on the lower ashlars in the columns to a maximum depth of 3 mm. Determining the direction of exfoliation microcracks is imperative to understanding decay mechanisms in granite ashlars and sculptures and that information must be taken into consideration when applying conservation treatments.
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Papers by DAVID M FREIRE-LISTA
Today there are no glass factories and quarrying is an important industry, Cadalso de los Vidrios has three quarry zones, and many processing and carving workshops.
Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is a fine-medium-grained, hypidiomorphic, equigranular leucogranite. There are many historical buildings built with thisstone, including the archeological site of "La Mezquita" whose original mosque was built between the years 950 and 1012 and the Villena Palace which dates from the fifteenth century.
In 1534, this was rebuilt into a Renaissance-style castle In addition the “Arco de la Ermita de Santa Ana” was built between 1463 and 1492 and the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church was built in 1498 with its façade being completed in Plateresque-style in 1547.as the “Casa de los Salvajes”. The Cadalso de los Vidrios City Hall was built in 1992 also with leucogranite.
The current annual production of the Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is 8000 m3, of which 40% is exported primarily to France and Italy. Currently, under the trade name Blanco Cristal, it has been used in places such as Vieux-Port in Marseille, in France; Plaza Romagné Conflans in Ste Honorine (France); Cork International Airport,
in Ireland; Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suarez Airport, in Madrid; shopping malls in Dortmund, Germany as well as in Guangzhou, China and the Puri EXIM Bank, in Jakarta.
Thermal shock cycles were performed during 24 hours according to the European standard UNE-EN, 14066, 2003 in 7 cubes of Blanco Cristal. First, the samples were put in an oven at 1055º C for 18 hours, then immersed in water at room temperature for 6 hours. This cycle was repeated 42 times.
Surface hardness and colour has been measured before and after the thermal shock test to check variation in petrophysical properties due to thermal shock.
The Fountain of the Waterfall was completed in the 18th century and occupies an important place in the layout of the palace gardens. It is formed by 10 pylons aligned to different levels that constitute the waterfall itself and that pour the water to the larger pylon pond located in the bottom part. Which has in its center a statue that represents the goddess Amphitrite, sitting on a cart pulled by four dolphins designed to be water spouts. Each pylon is lined with ornamental stone slabs anchored with metal elements.
This fountain has suffered different interventions throughout its history. The first restoration finished in 1872. Small maintenance works were carried out at the end of the 19th century. Further repairs were necessary in 1922 and small maintenance interventions continued in subsequent years. Therefore, the current New Waterfall Fountain is not a work of the 18th century or a creation ex novo of the 19th, but a mixed work that brings together components of different interventions, which makes difficult its restoration.
Previous studies for the Fountain restoration were initiated in 2016. A NITON SERIES XL3t portable x-ray fluorescence detector has been used to identify metals. This technique of elemental analysis is non-destructive and fast [2]. It has allowed to identify and to semi-quantify the metallic elements and also to establish their evolution in the different epochs.
Copper cramps and dowels, which were then anchored with molten lead, were used in the restoration completed in 1872. In the restorations of the 20th century, dowels are composed of a Cu and Zn alloy, there are also dowels of Fe; and in the most recent restorations, dowels of stainless steel (SS 316) have been used.
Knowledge of stones, historic quarries and causes of stone decay are necessary for conservation interventions, especially for reintegration of damaged ashlars and replacing the original stone with compatible materials. Madrid flint comes from ancient quarries near Madrid. Based on its petrological characteristics, the granite was extracted from Moralzarzal quarries, while the dolomitic stone extracted corresponds to the Cretaceous formations of Madrid, called Redueña stone.
The study of historical documentation of building stones complemented by petrographic and fractographical techniques provides very useful data for the dating of historic buildings, as well as other disciplines such as history, archeology, restoration, fine arts, architecture and forensic science.
en los que se han cuantificado y clasificado fisuras inter, intra y transcristalinas.
Los resultados obtenidos se han completado con el uso de otras técnicas no destructivas como la prospección de ultrasonidos, midiendo la velocidad de propagación ultrasónica (Vp) para determinar la evolución estructural interna durante el proceso de envejecimiento.
En los tres granitos la evolución de la microfisuración es diferente, tanto en su número como en su tipología. Todos ellos han experimentado un cierto deterioro, que aumenta con el número de ciclos de envejecimiento. Durante los primeros ciclos hay un mayor desarrollo de microfisuras intercristalinas, y en los últimos ciclos, se desarrollan más las intracristalinas. El comportamiento diferente de cada tipo de granito es debido a sus propiedades petrológicas intrínsecas (composición mineralógica y textural). Al finalizar el ensayo de envejecimiento, el granito de Zarzalejo presenta un mayor número de microfisuras.