Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L99500/01
Title:	FEEDBACK MECHANISMS & THE DECAY OF SANDSTONES: IMPLICATIONS FOR MASONRY SELECTION & LIFETIME BEHAVIOUR
Principal Investigator:	Smith, Professor B
Other Investigators:	Basheer, Professor M Long, Professor AE McAlister, Dr JJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Pre Nexus Migration
Department:	Sch of Geography
Organisation:	Queen's University of Belfast
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	24 August 1998	Ends:	23 August 2001	Value (£):	116,666
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Civil Engineering Materials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The project represents an interdisciplinary examination of the causes and controls upon rapid, catastrophic decay of sandstones than can occur once outer surfaces are breached in polluted, salt-rich environments. It combines expertise on physical decay processes (Geosciences), skills in moisture measurement and structural properties of materials (Civil Engineering) and practical experience of stone conservation (Consarc Design). It integrates: the charaterisation of decay phenomena, the monitoring of micro-environments assicated with decay, detailed structural and chemical analysis of weathered stone, laboratory simulations and conceptual modelling of decay processes. Results will be used to classify decay sequences through a staging system based on medical diagnostic procedures that can be used to predict performance in use. This can in turn be used to inform decisions on the choice of new and replacement stone, conservation procedures and the design of structures to reduce the risk of decay. To ensure practicability, work will proceed in close collaboration with leading conservation architects and thorugh consultation with building managers and related research groups in Scotland, England and Germany. Practical application of the research will be supported by theory and methological publications in scientific and trade journals and by presentaion of findings at international conferences.
Key Findings
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.qub.ac.uk