Italian cements at the beginning of XX century

The Italian architectural heritage of the early part of the Twentieth century is characterized by the development of new technologies and materials used during the construction, above all concrete and cement mortars. In recent years, these architectures have shown significant conservation problems, due to high level of experimentation of the used materials. In particular, concrete manifested incredible ease of processing, so it was used in the Liberty period (Italian tendency of the artistic movement spread throughout Europe between the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries known as Art Nouveau) to decorate the facades; later, new experimentations allowed a large spread of the cement on the market for its characteristic 'durability' and structural strength, and these qualities enabled the creation of structures impossible until that moment. However, the durability and strength of the cement currently reveal their limits; in fact, many buildings have long shown the need for appropriate restoration. This study has explored aspects concerning the use of this material and the pathologies of evident deterioration, making recommendations for conservative procedures that respect the cultural values of the material of architecture. This research began with the study of manuals and archival documents about patents and execution techniques of the historical cements, in order to identify the most used during the twentieth century. Some case studies were subsequently identified and analyzed to examine the conditions of degradation. The research ended with a critical analysis of restoration works already carried out on some Italian architectures, to point out the long-term effects. The aim of the study is to analyze and reduce the causes of deterioration and establish procedural guidelines for the conservation of modern architecture. The large number of buildings made of concrete, which in the near future could be identified as cultural heritage, requires to define as soon as possible appropriate restoration practices, providing a useful tool for designers and builders to work reliably on modern works.