Clarification the Current Situation of Deterioration and Its Causes of Modernization Heritage Built with Bricks in Japan -A Case Study of Long-Term Monitoring Investigation at Sarushima Battery, Yokosuka, Japan-

Abstract

A long-term monitoring investigation at Sarushima Battery (Kanagawa, Japan), which is one of the modernization heritages was conducted from 2017.06 to 2020.12. The investigation of the temperature and relative humidity (RH), measurement of the amount of brick decay, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the brick decay was conducted to understand in detail the environment in which the historical brick structure, the state of deterioration, identify the factors of deterioration. Furthermore, it was discussed whether the suitability of these investigation methods for assessing the status, identifying the level of deterioration and the factors that led to deterioration at the historical brick heritages. It was found that the brick deterioration at the site progressed especially in two periods: in April, and from June to August. These periods coincided with the period when the RH inside the structure decreased, and the Toyo-gumi bricks were in the process of absorbing moisture. Several different types of salts were detected in brick decay, especially thenardite, which is considered highly hazardous and destructive during periods when the amount of brick decay increased. Therefore, the RH in the structure and the salts present in the bricks were identified as one of the factors in the deterioration of the bricks at the site. The methods used in this study are appropriate as the initial survey methods for investigating the current conditions and identifying the causes of deterioration because it is possible to understand the environment within the modernization heritages, grasp the details of deterioration progression, and identify the characteristics of deterioration progression and its factors through long-term investigation using the simple methods.