This online conference is spread across three consecutive evenings. It covers different aspects of conservation that are relevant to professionals working in the built environment.

The conference is organised by members of the Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers (CARE). CARE is jointly administered by the Institution of Civil Engineers and IStructE.

Four guest speakers and two CARE registrants will cover popular aspects of conservation. They will share their knowledge of techniques used on heritage projects.

Over the three evenings, delegates can share their knowledge and discuss various aspects of related planning regulation.

Evening one

Construction history and conservation

Bill Addis will consider the relevance of construction history to extending the life of existing structures. He will:

• Illustrate this theme with the early history of reinforced concrete shells
• Observe how construction history and conservation engineering interact in several countries
• Suggest how conservation engineering in the UK might develop

Evening two

SS Great Britain and Fort Brockhurst Bridge: one material, two approaches

Robert Turner will offer a comparison of the treatment of the ironwork for a bridge and a ship. The treatment of the bridge needed to allow it to function at maximum capacity. The ship was to become the focal point of a museum.

Cleaning, repair and refinishing of historic metalwork

Russel Turner will talk about various cleaning techniques and associated considerations. He will discuss minimal intervention repair options for ferrous and non-ferrous metals. He will also cover refinishing options.

Evening three

How lime mortar works

David Wiggins will examine the functional behaviour of traditional lime mortar. He will look at its structural role within masonry through to its role as a weatherproofing medium. The phenomenon of sacrificial weathering will be explained. The presentation will dispel some myths about lime mortar. It will conclude with practical specification from an engineer’s perspective.

Intended for

Any structural or civil engineer with an active role in conservation projects. Architects, historians, and those with a keen interest in heritage and conservation are also encouraged to attend.