Abstract:Soft Capping is a popular way of protecting wall relics in England and Scotland and wellrecognized in Central and Northern Europe. This technology might meet the need for protection of relics parks in China. According to Scottish research reports, soft capping protection technology should be suitable for natural and cultural environment in the coastal fringe area of China. An experimental study on soft capping to protect ruin wall was carried out in Shanghai for one year. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of soft capping to protect the wall ruins at Guangjiao Temple in Xuan Cheng, Anhui. Two test walls were built using old bricks to simulate the relic walls of Guangjiao Temple. The wall was studied under four conditions:A) the wall head was totally exposed to the environment, B) the wall head was capped with compound planting soil and crassulaceae plants, C) the wall head was capped with sterile soil and Agrostis stolonifera with a waterproof layer beneath and D) the wall head was capped with sterile soil and Zoysiamatrella. The conditions were set respectively to simulate hard capping and soft capping. Four temperature data loggers were installed just beneath the earth capping on the top wall head, with one data logger in the environment to record the change of temperature and humidity in a year. A moisture sensor was used monthly to collect the humidity data of the two walls and a digital camera was used to record changes in appearance of the two walls and the status of plants every month. Over the course of a oneyear experimental study, we found that soft capping can work as a thermal blanket, but mainly under extreme climate conditions. Meanwhile, walls under soft capping are drier than those under hard capping in summer, but almost as wet as those under hard capping in other seasons. We also found that the choice of grass and earth are very important for the performance of soft capping. It is necessary to do the further study.

Abstract:Relative humidity of microenvironment in Mogao Caves is a key factor for conservation of wall paintings. In order to realize the impact of visitation on relative humidity in Mogao Caves, the relative humidity of four relatively similar test caves in the southern area of the Mogao Grottoes were monitored regularly for ten years during 2004~2013. The relative humidity of open caves was compared to that of closed caves. The results indicated that the relative humidity fluctuation frequency in open caves was proportional to tourist numbers and that the relative humidity of open caves increased rapidly due to rain. Closing the cave could lower the impact of outdoor relative humidity significantly. Visited caves showed much higher monthly maximum relative humidity, monthly mean diurnal range of relative humidity and number of days that daily the maximum relative humidity exceeded 60%, compared with unvisited caves during high season. The changes in relative humidity were reversed when open caves were closed and closed caves were opened. Visitation would lead to higher relative humidity and higher daily fluctuations of relative humidity and thus massively elevate the risk of deterioration of wall paintings. These achievements have provided a scientific basis for preventive management and assessment of risk to the wall paintings.

Abstract:Outdoor earthen sites often suffer from rainfall and floods, which leads to the formation of soil crust and changes in the physical properties of the surface soil. This process impacts the protection of the earthen sites. We used pure loess as a raw material and controlled the intensity of rainfall. By varying the length of the precipitation, we studied soil crusting under various precipitation times. We found that thickness, density and hardness of the soil crust increase rapidly with an increase of rainfall duration when the soil surface is not saturated; however, those properties increase more slowly with the increase of rainfall duration once the surface reaches saturation. At this stage, cracks quickly appear on the surface soil and form marks like concentric circles. The conclusions reached by this study may provide references for the protection of other outdoor earthen sites.

Abstract:Consolidation and dehydration experiments were conducted on ancient water chestnuts excavated from the Tianluoshan site at Yuyao City. Three different treatments were applied, namely using PEG 4000, sorbitol and octadecanol. The treated samples were compared with nontreated samples and were analyzed to find the best conservation method. After treatment, the rates of shrinkage of the ancient water chestnuts decreased notably, while their density and shell integrity increased. On the other hand, their compositions remained almost unchanged. Microscopic examination of crosssection of treated ancient water chestnuts indicated that consolidants had filled in voids in the water chestnut and helped support the cytoderm, therefore keeping the excavated water chestnuts stable. The samples treated by ethanoloctadecanol (first dehydrated with ethanol and then steeped in octadecanol solution) seemed to be best in terms of color and stability, thus this method was considered to be the best of these three studied.

Abstract:In order to determine whether the black porous lump on the wall at the tomb of Wuhuifei was wall painting binding media, we used several analytical methods, including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive Xray (SEMEDX), microRaman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GCFID)to analyze this material. The morphology and material composition of the substrate was determined. We found that the lump has carbonized, but there still remains some fresh binding medium. The binding media turned out to be animal glue. Trace of a red pigment made from cinnabar was also found. The reliability of these results is discussed in comparison with previous research documents and ancient books. This study may enrich the archaeological research on mural painting materials of the Tang Dynasty and provide a scientific basis for future restoration.

Abstract:The brown pointillist porcelain first appeared at the Jingdezhen Hutian Kiln during the period of Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 1023—1063). The origin of painting technology of the Jingdezhen Hutian Kiln and its influence on the famous under glaze in Jingdezhen after the Yuan Dynasty are the focuses of research. Eight porcelain pillow shards decorated with brown quincunx patterns of the Northern Song Dynasty Jingdezhen Hutian Kiln were selected for study of their chemical composition and the technological characteristics using energy dispersive Xray fluorescence (EDXRF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), stereomicroscopy and automatic high temperature dilatometry. The EDXRF results indicate that the brown patterns of the pillow shards have a homogeneous composition high in ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) content, relatively high in titanium dioxide (TiO₂), but contain almost no manganese oxide (MnO). The OCT and stereomicroscope analyses reveal that the patterns were painted before glazing. The porcelain body preserved mesh grid marks. Inside the edges, there are traces of joints and reinforcement using mud. These marks suggested that the porcelain pillows were made first on a cloth mold, then assembled together. The bodies vary in firing state, firing temperature and water absorption rate. The brown dots were painted and fixed by a single firing at a temperature of higher than 1100℃ after painting and glazing.

Abstract:Some copper artifacts unearthed from the Xiao Mausoleum were joined by soldering. In this research, we analyzed the coppertin alloy and tin soldered red copper samples using optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive XRay Spectroscopy. We found that the solder used in the artifacts from the Xiao Mausoleum is a coppertin alloy and not tinonly solder. There is only a small amount of literature available, and little experimental research on the welding technology using copper alloy. The simulated experiment in this paper may provide some information and guidance for future research.

Abstract:The aim of taking measures to protect paper historical relic is to improve its life expectancy and alleviate deterioration. Following the minimum intervention principle to prevent paper historical relic from devaluing and being illegible. This article discusses the application of minimum intervention principle in paper historical relic conservation and restoration through “water” selection, cleaning technologies selection and restoration skills selection. According to recent studies and cases, some reasonable guides for the selection of cleaning water, cleaning technologies and restoration skills will be given, such as “do not peel away paintings from the whole blocks, unless it is necessary”.

Abstract:Study of the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese painted clay sculptures is of importance for two reasons:it aids understanding of cultural heritage and also conservation method research. The Sumeru Grottoes preserve a large number of painted clay sculptures which occupy a very important position in Chinese painted clay sculpture. The present research used a variety of methods including suspension and sedimentation, laser particle analysis, infrared spectroscopy, Xray diffraction, energy spectroscopy, microscopic Raman spectroscopy, enzymelinked immunosorbent, immunofluorescence assay and Hardy’s thin crosssection to analyze the internal and external materials on five painted clay sculptures from the Ming Dynasty in Cave 48 of the Sumeru Grottoes located in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Clay components, fibers, adglutinate and paint pigments were analyzed. The results show that the clay and sand used were artificially processed to get the right small particle size. The components used for the fine and rough clay layers are basically the same, but the latter has more sand. Ramie, jute, wheat and cotton were mixed with the clay in different parts of sculptures. The red pigment was cinnabar and white pigment was chalk. Gelatin and egg white were possibly used as the pigment binders. In addition, the gilding was applied to the fingers.

Abstract:Measurement of the extent of damage is very important for structural safety assessment and strengthening design of Chinese ancient timber buildings. The present damage index values were surveyed according to the technical code for maintenance and strengthening of ancient timber buildings published in 1992 (GB 50165—92). In order to verify and revise the integrity damage indexes of this code, the integrity and mechanical performance of some mortisetenon joints and timber frames were tested. Then the integrity damage indexes of the post and lintel construction and the column and tie construction in the traditional timber buildings in south China are presented. These damage indexes are analyzed in comparison with the regulations of the previous national code. The results show that 1) the damage indexes of local inclination of these two constructions are much smaller than the test results and, therefore, the previous regulation codes are on the safe side; 2) the damage index of mortisetenon joint connection in the post and lintel construction regulated in the code is slightly smaller than the test results and, therefore, the regulation codes are safe for the buildings; 3) the damage index of mortisetenon joint connection in the column and tie construction regulated in the code is smaller than the test result for the Yanwei mortiseten on joint and, therefore, the regulation of the code is safe; 4) however, the damage index of mortisetenon joint connection of the column and the tie construction regulated in the code is larger than the test result of Tou Mortisetenon Joint and, therefore, the regulation of the code is not safe in this case.

Abstract:In order to study the windresistance characteristics of traditional timber structures in the south Yangtze River regions, the main hall of Baoguo Temple, which is the bestpreserved and the oldest Buddhist timber building in this region, was studied in terms of its windresistance characteristics. First, a model of the main hall was built based on precise geometric information acquired by 3D laser scanning and the finite element SAP2000 software, and its dynamic characteristics were analyzed. Then MATLAB software was used, based on AR model, to generate the time history curves of fluctuating wind speed and fluctuating wind pressure. The generated wind pressure was applied to the SAP2000 hall model for analysis. The results obtained were as follows:the structural modes, displacement response curves, displacement response spectrum curves, acceleration response, and comparison between the wind vibration coefficients obtained by the time history analysis of wind pressure and the wind vibration coefficients were calculated according to the code. Some conclusions could be drawn:1) the displacement response of this structure is controlled mainly by the top three natural modes; under the strong wind pressure, the deformation most likely to occur is the northsouth horizontal vibration, the westeast horizontal vibration and the torsional vibration; 2) all the displacements of typical joints are in the allowable range of values of lateral displacement; 3) the displacement of the center of the architrave in the windward side is the largest, with that of the top roof the second and those of the lower roof and the pillar top the smallest; 4) the accelerations of roof and columns of the main hall differ a lot and the roofcolumn connection joints should be of great importance in the future protection plans; 5) the wind vibration coefficients obtained by the time history analysis of wind pressure with the wind vibration coefficients calculated according to the code are obviously different, which is mainly due to the nonuniform transverse stiffness distribution of the structure; 6) the wind vibration coefficients obtained by the time history analysis of wind pressure are 1.2~1.4 times as big as those calculated according to the code because the code method only considers the effect of the first mode; 7) the wind vibration coefficients calculated according to the code are only suitable for the structure the mass and shape of which are invariant with the change of height, and are unsuitable for lowrise structures such as the Main Hall of Baoguo temple.

Abstract:Due to long exposure to nature, the Inscriptionless Stele of the Qianling Mausoleum has been suffering from serious weathering on its surface. Temperature is one of the main factors affecting it. In order to explore the distribution regularity of the Inscriptionless Stele temperature field, we constructed a 3D analytical model of the Inscriptionless Stele based on fundamental principles of heat transfer theory and then calculated its temperature distribution under solar radiation by using Comsol Multiphysics simulation software. The results show that the temperature variation tendency of the Inscriptionless Stele from the surface to the inside manifests itself as a parabola. The closer to the center of the Inscriptionless Stele, the smaller the daily temperature variation. Depending on sun’s azimuth and elevation angles, the temperature distribution on the four surfaces of the Inscriptionless Stele is extremely uneven. A temperature gradient occurs both horizontally and vertically. The results of this study can provide effective scientific evidence for the protection of the Inscriptionless Stele.

Abstract:In order to assess the status of the structure of the hull of the ancient marine shipwreck, Ningbo Xiaobaijiao No.1, and to provide a scientific basis for the further protection of the shipwreck, we used optical and electron microcopy to analyze the microbial damages to the wood from the ancient marine shipwreck at the levels of microstructure and submicrostructure. We found that the microbes that had the greatest impact on the wooden relics of the shipwreck are mainly erosion bacteria (EB) and tunneling bacteria (TB), and that bacterial erosion in different wooden samples varies from slightly eroded to completely damaged. The structures of the wooden relics in different parts of the ship were evaluated by comparison with standards. The reasons for the difference in the levels of the damage of the wood artifacts were analyzed. Based on the analytical results, we have made suggestions as to how to protect the shipwrecks that have biological damage.

Abstract:Many pigments have been used for oil paintings. The same color group might have a number of pigments and these pigments are relatively sensitive to the environment changes. When the pigments degrade, it is hard to distinguish them by naked eye. Before restoration and protection, identification of the original pigments at the places where the pigments was lost is a fundamental task. This information is needed for selection of pigments used to restore the painting. The pigments from seven oil paintings by a famous Chinese painter, Pan Yuliang, were analyzed by Xray diffraction and Xray fluorescence. This paper discusses the concerns when selecting pigments for restoration. The selected pigments should be carefully selected to avoid incompatibility issues, i.e., chemical reactions that further damage the paintings (secondary damage).

Abstract:Mildewobscured brush inscriptions on ancient architectural objects are often illegible and not easy to decipher. The traditional character image segmentation algorithm does not take full account of pollution and character feature information, and can lead to incorrect interpretations. This paper presents a multifeatureguided “Grab Cut” segmentation algorithm used in combination with image polarization information. First, stokes solver was applied to the polarized images at four different angles (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°) to obtain the feature graphs of the degree of polarization. Then SLIC was used to make super pixel division of images of the inscriptions captured by a visible light camera, thus making it possible to extract super pixel feature distances of color and texture. Finally, “Grab Cut” segmentation was performed according to regional items (restrained by the degrees of polarization) and feature distances (guided by boundary items) to get segmentation results for the characters. Compared with other segmentation algorithms, which do not take into account degrees of polarization or feature distances, this method gave greatly improved segmentation.

Abstract:Highly cited papers were retrieved from fifteen core journals included in the China Academic Journals fulltext database. The goal of this research is to find the research trends in cultural relic conservation technology and to explore research focuses in this area in China. Using parameters such as funding sources, publication time, key words and authors’ employers, I did a quantitative analysis using statistical and bibliometrics methods. From this analysis, I concluded that much research focuses on aspects of the cultural relic materials and craftsmanship, cultural relic degradation mechanisms and conservation methods, cultural relic conservation environments, cultural relic conservation material research, archaeological science and technology research and applications of Internet technology.