Program Overview

GEOLOGY AND ALTERATION OF STONE MATERIALS

Course Description

The teaching module aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of the classification of the main types of natural stones used in construction, as well as their forms of degradation.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Recognize and classify the main types of natural stones according to the internationally adopted petrographic classification
• Correctly use the terminology recommended by UNI-EN standards for the classification of natural stones and the related analytical methods
• Analyze the different forms of stone degradation, with particular attention to chemical alteration processes and physical erosion of artifacts
• Apply the acquired knowledge to specific case studies, developing analytical and critical interpretation skills

Teaching Methods

The course is structured through lectures and laboratory activities.

• Lectures are held in the classroom with the support of multimedia presentations, aiming to provide the theoretical foundations necessary to understand and recognize natural stones, their applications, and their degradation processes.
• Laboratory exercises are designed to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and include:
  • Group exercises for the macroscopic identification of rocks, through direct observation of samples from the DISTAV teaching collection
  • Individual exercises using a polarizing optical microscope, aimed at identifying rocks in thin section, carried out in the optical microscopy lab at DISTAV.

Syllabus/Content

The course focuses on natural stones used in construction, with particular attention to their petrographic classification, practical applications, and processes of alteration and degradation. Topics covered include:

• Petrographic classification of building and ornamental stones, with reference to the main lithological types
• Intrusive, effusive, and hypabyssal igneous rocks
• Terrigenous, allochemical, orthochemical, and biochemical sedimentary rocks
• Metamorphic rocks
• Main uses and applications of natural stones in the construction, architectural, and ornamental sectors
• Processes of alteration and degradation of natural stones: chemical alteration, physical erosion, biological attacks, and anthropogenic degradation, with practical examples and case studies
• Technical terminology and current regulations related to natural building stones, with reference to international and national standards
• Practical activities in the classroom and laboratory aimed at identifying the main natural stones and analyzing forms of degradation through macroscopic and microscopic observation.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

All slides used during the lectures and other teaching materials will be available in the class repository. Any textbooks for further study of specific topics will be suggested during lectures and laboratory sessions.

Teachers and Exam Board

• Teacher: Pietro Marescotti

Lessons

• Classes begin in November
• The timetable for this course is available through the Portale EasyAcademy

Exams

• Exam description: See the "Final exam 1st year"
• Assessment methods: See the "Final exam 1st year"

Course Details

• Code:
• Academic Year: 2025/2026
• Credits: 2 cfu anno 1 BENI ARCHITETTONICI E DEL PAESAGGIO 8470 (SSPC-2) - GENOVA
• Scientific Disciplinary Sector: GEO/09
• Language: Italian
• Teaching Location: GENOVA
• Semester: Annual
• Modules: This teaching is a module of: FINAL EXAM 1° YEAR