SAS Management of salt weathering in porous building materials

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SAS Management of salt weathering in porous building materials

The salt of the earth belongs to life, like air and water, it flavors seawater as well as almost every human meal. But just as salt brings spice to life, it can also oversalt any soup. And what is true for life is also true for the stone monumental heritage: salts are one of the main causes of deterioration of the built heritage.

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SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    SAS Management of salt weathering in porous building materials

  • Credits

    3.0 ECTS

  • Start date

    May 21st, 2026

  • Finish date

    May 30th, 2026

  • Registration deadline

    April 13th, 2026

  • Language

    English

  • Fee

    CHF 1100 *

  • Duration

    37 Tuition hours

  • Performance method

    Blended mode **

  • Attendance

    Daytime and evening

*Detailed information available under Additional Cost Details

**You can choose by which mode you take the course (online or in-person)

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At the end of these 3 days the participants will be able to decide whether to perform or not desalination; to select / design the most appropriate desalination method and to manage over time heritage assets led with salt.

The participants will be able to:
• understand and describe damage processes in relation to the nature of the salt(s) and the substrate properties
• conduct and describe an assessment of the potential damage related to the presence of soluble salts
• describe the difference between salt reduction, salt conversion or desalination
• conduct and describe simple lab salt analysis
• select the most suitable desalination method regarding the context (depending on the type of salt and the objective of salt reduction, salt conversion or desalination)

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This course is designed for conservators and restorers specialized in built heritage, as well as architects, civil engineers and professionals responsible for maintaining historic buildings.

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The course is open to individuals who have obtained a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Conservation and Restoration, Architecture, or Civil Engineering.
Alternatively, applicants may be considered if they can demonstrate proven professional experience in related fields.

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Advanced Studies

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After a 4-hour on-line introduction, the course is structured over three days with lectures in the mornings and practical exercises and case studies in the afternoons.

• state of the art about salts in porous building materials
• understand and describe damage processes in relation to the nature of the salt and the substrate properties
• conduct an assessment of the potential damage related to the presence of soluble salts
• conduct and describe simple lab salt analysis
- sponge test, Karsten tube and other tests to characterize porous space and transport mechanism
- electrical conductivity, electrical capacity, test-pad method and semi-quantitative test strips, photo spectrometry, Ionic chromatography to characterize qualitative and quantitative salts
• sampling methodology, water content and hygroscopic behavior
• Intervention options: salt reduction, salt conversion or desalination
- tests application of poultices and sacrificial plaster
- study of the influence of nature and formulation of poultices, application and evaluation of salt reduction
- tests of desalination with the sprinkling method and with the bath method and evaluation of desalination.
- exercise of Eco-Run Salt software to predict salt crystallizations and salt weathering

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SUPSI Short Advanced Studies certificate

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Valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale

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This course takes a practical and advanced approach to the management of buildings affected by the presence of salts, from their ingress through water and aerosols to the processes of accumulation and crystallization that damage construction materials.

Through case studies and scientific tools, participants will gain the skills to identify deterioration mechanisms, assess risks, and select effective desalination strategies, enabling more informed and sustainable interventions.

This Short Advanced Studies course is offered with the patronage of the Swiss Association for Conservation and Restoration (https://restaurierung.swiss/it).

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SUPSI Course FC Dates

On-line: May 21st 2026 from 4pm to 8pm
In presence: May 28th, May 29th and May 30th, 2026

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9am – 12.30am, 1.30pm – 5pm

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SUPSI Course FC Locations

SUPSI Department of Environment Constructions and Design
Campus Mendrisio, via Flora Runchat-Roncati 15
CH – 6850 Mendrisio

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Dipartimento ambiente costruzioni e design

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CHF 1'100.- per person, including electronic teaching materials

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The course will be carried out in English, with translation into Italian, French and German.

SUPSI Course FC Contacts

SUPSI Department of Environment Constructions and Design
Continuing Education
Campus Mendrisio
via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH - 6850 Mendrisio
T +41 58 666 63 10
dacd.fc@supsi.ch

SUPSI Course FC Responsibles

Marta Caroselli, SUPSI, Department of Environment Constructions and Design

SUPSI Course FC Teachers

• Dr. Wanja Wedekind
https://www.wanjawedekind.de/
• Dr. Julie Desarnaud
https://www.kikirpa.be/en/who-is-who/julie-desarnaud

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