Abstract:

The article describes the results of cooperation of employees and students of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology as part of documenting and assessing the technical condition of preserved historic buildings. The cooperation was related to the implementation of directional research, carried out at the Department of Building Engineering and Building Physics, and learning objectives adopted on the specialty of Civil Engineering.

The scientific and research works of the Department included, among others, testing of thermal parameters of building partitions, indoor climate conditions of utility rooms, through in situ measurements and material tests. The subject of the research was historic residential and public buildings, located in Silesia, characterized by partitions made of wooden framing filled with ceramic bricks. Selected for research are currently covered by conservation protection.

Students carried out the tasks set in the education process, at the stage of obtaining a degree in civil engineering, in a two-stage system of obtaining the title of master’s degree in engineering. As part of their individual engineering projects, related with real construction objects, they carried out inventory documentation and elements of the assessment of the condition of buildings. As part of this work, they carried out measurements of the geometry of buildings, measurements of moisture of building partitions. They participated in the assessment of wood damage as a result of the development of biological corrosion, and thermographic measurements. After the documentation was developed by the students, a database was created, useful for further research and analysis at the stage of scientific and research works performed by employees as part of the Department’s tasks.

The measurable benefit of engaging students in the construction of existing buildings is education through experience. Students broadened their knowledge and skills by participating in engineering works and contact with real construction problems. They got to know historical ways of building and modern possibilities related to their maintenance and repair. They developed social competences through contacts with property managers. They also solved their own design issues, within the framework of diploma thesis given by the supervisor.

For universities, such activities affect the improvement of the quality of education. The connection, in the system of education, theory and practice has a positive effect on achieving the goals and learning outcomes.

The article discusses the results of measurements and tests carried out by students and employees of the University. The conclusions were drawn and proposals were given for further actions related to the maintenance of historic buildings. Further steps have been planned with the involvement of students in research tasks.

Keywords:

Education through experience, inventory of historic buildings, indoor climate research, goals and learning outcomes.