Preventive protection of an architectural monument or valuable relics of brick construction in conservation works is an initial activity of fundamental importance. This action is taken in emergency cases and when economic difficulties make it necessary, and in particular, the lack of financial resources for proper maintenance.
Preventive protection is undertaken mainly to stop the processes causing damage or to neutralize for a certain period of time active outbreaks causing the destruction of masonry systems, or isolate structures and materials from destructive factors. An example here may be the measures aimed at provisional protection of the building against the effects of precipitation, water attacking foundations, etc.
Preventive protection or prophylactic reinforcement is also often used to maintain the status quo and prevent any structural changes or distortions (deformation) layout, before conservation treatments based on appropriate technical measures are carried out.
These will include. static prophylaxis treatments, undertaken at facilities or elements classified to technical condition III and further. Treatments of this type are mainly aimed at partial or complete relief of weakened elements, supporting and holding them excessively cracked or deformed, dangerously bent, warped etc.
The problem of temporary protection or reinforcement of masonry elements also occurs almost always in the course of construction and construction works, especially during works related to the cleaning of the monument from accumulations and during reconstruction works, when piercing and widening door and window openings, etc.
Removal of redundant elements, replacement and strengthening of weakened or damaged ones entail the need to temporarily protect certain parts of masonry structures. Therefore, makeshift security and strengthening works are one of the most important sections of technical and conservation activity, requiring expert knowledge of the subject.
Preventive security methods can be very diverse, depending on the nature and causes of damage or damage, the technical condition of the building and its basic structural elements, and available technical means.
With preventive protection, the means of action basically do not interfere with the structural configuration of the system, but they create the conditions, which prevent the causes of destruction and delay their effects, to prevent further destruction or ruin.
On the measures used in construction when removing this or that surface damage caused by physical, chemical or mechanical causes, in practice, there are many comprehensive professional studies, hence, further attention will be devoted mainly to the issues of static and strength prophylaxis.
The method of preventive securing in this case should result from the nature of the deformation, structural and strength properties of basic structures, like foundations, walls, ceilings, spatial arrangement of the building, soil quality and other factors.
Masonry elements deformed or weakened, relatively betraying the possibility of disturbing the static equilibrium, it is usually held or supported by makeshift wooden structures in the form of stamps, struts and other associated supporting elements. A cross section of these elements, their location, the arrangement and interconnection depend on the specific structural function of the reinforced element and the forces occurring at the same time.
In uncomplicated cases, for securing or strengthening the structure, even the appropriate technical documentation is not prepared, and in the selection of means he is guided directly by his experience. In all other circumstances, when the damage is more serious, especially when there are signs of violation of the structural cohesion or stability of the system, strengthening procedures must be carried out according to a strictly defined construction concept, presented in the form of appropriate drawings supported by calculations, etc.
When using protective or strengthening treatments, the following general rule applies: the measures introduced may in no case affect the deterioration of the performance of the element or object, and the security works themselves must be carried out with great care and caution.