http://hdl.handle.net/10174/14476 2026-06-13T00:08:51Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42177 Title: From the quarry to the H-BIM for telling the story of Romanesque church of São João de Calvos (Portugal) Authors: Sitzia, Fabio; Brandao, Filipe; Bernardes, Paulo; Pires, Vera; Figueireido, Bruno; Mirao, Josè; Blanco-Rotea, Rebeca; Ribeiro, Jorge Abstract: Romanesque churches are among the most significant elements of Portuguese heritage, due to their architectural and technical-constructive quality and the stonework. The regions of Minho and Douro have the highest concentration of examples. The use of Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) tools now facilitates their protection, conservation, and promotion. This study presents the Romanesque church of S. João de Calvos (Guimarães, Portugal), which contains a wealth of architectural, historical, and technical-scientific information, recovered using different analysis tools applied to the study of its architecture and construction materials. A complete set of archaeological and physicochemical data on the materials was integrated into a Heritage Building Information Modelling model capable of managing geometric and non-geometric information. This is a pilot study for future initiatives, such as the “Route of the Romanesque” (Rota do Românico), incorporating the information into a municipal Heritage Building Information Modelling database for different purposes. 2025-08-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42176 Title: Natural stones in construction: Global issues and practical strategies Authors: LIsci, Carla; Sitzia, Fabio; Mirao, Josè Abstract: Natural stones in construction: why does It matters? •Functionality, longevity,aesthetic, and economic value Global issues: ➢ Environmental exposure ➢ Poor material selection according to the destination use ➢ Reduction of thickness sand non-functional geometries ➢ Design & installation flaws 2025-05-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42175 Title: Digitalization of quarrying process and environmental parameters Authors: Dessena, Antonio; Careddu, Nicola; Sitzia, Fabio; Pandolfi, Orlando; Pia, Luca; Santoro, Nicola Abstract: Marble quarries are important challenges for mining engineers and quarry workers The stone quarry is a complex and interconnected system. The main challenges concern the study of the deposit, the stability and monitoring of quarry faces, safety management, environmental management, production management, the analysis of the territorial context, and market research. 2025-05-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/40768 Title: Chemical and molecular profiling of waterlogged ancient ivory Authors: Costa, Marina; Vicente, Cláudia SL.; Espada, Margarida; Faria, Jorge MS.; Teixeira, Jorge MG.; Bettencourt, José; Teixeira, Dora M. Abstract: This research focuses on the chemical and molecular analysis of elephant ivory from two 18th-century British ship-wrecks in the Atlantic Ocean: The Princess Louisa, lost off May Island, Cape Verde, in 1743, and the BH-001 wreck, discovered in Horta Bay, Faial Island, Azores. Both shipwrecks yielded substantial ivory collections, providing a unique chance to investigate their ancient routes. A multi-analytical approach was employed that included X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spec-troscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and DNA analysis. These methods were used to distinguish elephant species (African vs. Asian), profile the chemical composition, and evaluate preservation states of the waterlogged ancient ivory. Results showed that ivory from both wrecks originated from African elephants. However, differences in elemental and molecular signatures, as well as varying degrees of structural degradation, suggested distinctions in environmen-tal exposure. This comparative research demonstrates that combining chemical and molecular methodologies is effective in recon-structing the historical context of submerged ivory cargoes. Further research may improve the identification of ivory trade centres and support improved conservation strategies for underwater cultural heritage. 2025-07-02T23:00:00Z