Journal of Architectural Conservation
Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2011
Conserving and Stabilizing Masonry Ruins
Jon Avent
Paper Summary
This paper looks at some of the challenges faced in the stabilization of ruins. It covers the approach to dealing with ruined masonry structures and the need to understand the structure before embarking on conservation strategies. It considers the process from initial survey through to the implementation of remedial works. Cases studies are presented on a selection of ruined structures, including Piercefield House in South Wales, Astley Castle in Warwickshire, and sites in Northern Ireland and North Wales where in situ jacking techniques were used to stabilize the ruined masonry remains of St Malachy’s Wall and Cymer Abbey. The works enabled these medieval structures to be protected with minimum intervention and avoided the need for rebuilding, a solution which has been suggested by others.
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Figure 4 Piercefield House. External scaffolding and front façade bracing.
Figure 12 Cymer Abbey. Movement and stonework failure to arcade columns.
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Jon Avent BSc(Hons) CEng, MIStructE, IHBC, CARE Accredited Conservation Engineer
Jon Avent trained as a mechanical engineer. In 1990 he joined renowned building conservation engineers Mann Williams, of which he is a director, turning a lifelong interest in historic buildings into a career. He is currently Chairman of CARE, the ICE and IStructE Administered Conservation Register of Engineers, and sits on the RICS Conservation Forum Board.
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