APT Australasia Chapter

This column appears in the APT Communique, a newsletter for members of APT International.

This Resource Roundup column appeared in APT Communique 54(2) Spring 2025, and was submitted by Robert Belardi PE MSc. Whilst these are US publications, it is considered likely that many of the principles were adopted in the Australian context within 5-10 years of publication.

It was not until the early 20th Century and the development of elastic theory (the
Working Stress Method or WSM) that building codes began to provide rational and
uniform analysis and design techniques for reinforced concrete. Working with
historic reinforced concrete structures requires an understanding of how engineers
of the day designed, detailed, and determined capacities.

Below is a collection of modern and historic resources relating to the engineering design of early reinforced concrete structures:

• Twentieth-Century Building Materials: History and Conservation, edited by
  Thomas C. Jester (1995), covers historic materials and techniques, including
  early concrete construction.
• Reinforced Concrete: Theory and Practice by Frederick Rings (1910) is one of
  the earliest books providing calculation methods for concrete slabs, beams, and
  columns. The book contrasts empirical and theoretical design methods used in
  the late 19th century.
• A Treatise on Concrete Plain and Reinforced by Frederick W. Taylor and
  Sanford Thompson (1905) is a foundational book on concrete slab theory,
  strength tests, and early slab design methods. The authors discuss the
  structural behavior of monolithic slabs as compared to ribbed slab systems.
• Reinforced Concrete by Ernest McCullough (1908) discusses early reinforced
  patented slab systems. Includes detailed discussions on floor slab analysis and
  early fireproofing techniques.
• Code of Standard Practice and Specifications for Placing Reinforcement by the
  Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (1937) provides early WSM-era
  specifications for the detailing of placement of reinforcement in slab and building
  frames.
• Reinforced Concrete Floors by the National Steel Fabric Co. (1930) is an early
  WSM design guide for draped mesh slab construction with load capacity tables
  based on slab thickness and span.
  

One of the major themes of Jacqui Goddard’s career was her interest in, and commitment to, improving ways of delivering training and education in architectural conservation. It seems appropriate to ensure that one of her last contributions in the field is made more widely available.

Last year, Jacqui’s article on “Education in Architectural Conservation”, which explores the development of architectural conservation as a professional discipline during the latter half of the twentieth century, was published in the Getty Conservation Institute’s quarterly newsletter, Conservation Perspectives.

The article compiles timelines highlighting significant meetings and documents related to architectural conservation occurring between 1931-2012, as well as the major education courses and tertiary degree programs initiated in the field between 1950-1980.

Jacqui finishes her article with a discussion of some of the challenges associated with implementing professional accreditation schemes in the heritage conservation field, and notes that these schemes “exacerbate the creation of ‘silos’ and further separate conservation from the creative act of [architectural] design”.

Of greatest relevance, particularly with regard to the rising appreciation that conservation of our existing buildings is a major contribution to the sustainability of the act of building, is her concluding statement reproduced below.

“Architects concerned with built environment conservation must engage with architectural education. Understanding the past is vital in addressing the future of our historic environment. If, as argued by architect and educator Ernesto Rogers, ‘conserving and constructing are moments of a single act of conscience’, then it must be part of the architectural agenda. Conservation courses need participants who already have an understanding of place, and architecture students need to understand the historic context within which they work.

The complete Fall 2020 edition (volume 35 number 2) of Conservation Perspectives, which focussed on built heritage conservation and training, is available for download here.

APT members who knew Jacqui Goddard, and her dedication to the highest heritage conservation ideals, are saddened to learn of her unexpected passing. She was a member and long-serving contributor to our organisation.

Jacqui contributed a great deal to education and standards in our sector. She taught in various higher education institutions over the years, including in Scotland; she contributed to professional development in New South Wales with the APT Australasia Chapter, and with other heritage organisations. She remained committed to learning and sharing throughout her valuable career and was, until recently, researching the education of architects in building conservation.

APT and the APT Australasia Chapter are poorer for her loss.

Donald Ellsmore
Convenor
APT Australasia Chapter 

Mortars: materials, mixes and methods, a guide to repointing mortar joints in older buildings is an essential resource for anyone wishing to repair older stone or brick masonry buildings. Written by David Young OAM, a longstanding APT member, and an acknowledged expert in the use and application of traditional mortars, this technical guide covers everything you need to know about working with lime mortars. 

Fifteen years in the making, it is wonderful to see this guide finally published through a joint effort of the Heritage Councils of all six states of Australia, and downloadable for free. Congratulations to David for his longstanding labours in compiling and writing the guide, and to all those who have supported the development and publishing of this guide.

Lime was the principal binder in mortars and plasters of Australia’s early colonial buildings, and it continued to be used in domestic construction until the mid-twentieth century. However, major changes in building practices after World War II led to the predominant use of cement in mortars. This change led to a decline in understanding of the properties of lime mortars, their important role in porous masonry, as well as the practical aspects of working with lime. This technical guide helps fill this gap. 

Part one is a primer, introducing key terms and concepts. 

Part two explores in depth the different mortar materials, mixes, binders, sands and aggregates and when they might be used, including an essential ‘Quick Guide’ to mortar mixes on pages 68–69. It also explains why the unthinking use of contemporary mortars to repair older buildings can cause long-term damage. 

Part three is the ‘how to do it’ part of the guide, covering the practical aspects of repointing – from the ‘when’ to the ‘with what’. Using the correct jointing tools and attention to the protection and curing of newly laid mortars are critical aspects of successful repairs.

The Heritage Council of Victoria will launch a new technical guide entitled Mortars: materials, mixes and methods, a guide to repointing mortar joints in older buildings at 12:30–1:00pm on Wednesday 10^th November 2021. 

Written by David Young OAM, an acknowledged expert in the use and application of traditional mortars, and supported by the heritage councils of each state, the new technical guide is an essential resource for anyone wishing to repair older stone or brick buildings in Australia. 

Lime was the principal binder in mortars and plasters of Australia’s early colonial buildings, and it continued to be used in domestic construction until the mid-twentieth century. However, major changes in building practices after World War II led to the predominant use of cement in mortars. This change led to a decline in understanding of the properties of lime mortars, their important role in porous masonry, as well as the practical aspects of working with lime. This technical guide helps fill this gap. 

The launch will be via a Microsoft Teams webinar. Click here to register for this event.

Heritage Council of Victoria Chair Prof Philip Goad will open the launch and author David Young will showcase the guide. 

This article by Mike Jackson gives a brief introduction to Australian architectural history captured in the BTHL.

Heritage Grants – applications close 8 Feb 2021

The 2021-23 round of NSW Heritage Grants is now open. See Heritage NSW website for more information and the funding guidelines.

Heritage Management System (HMS) – new system coming 2021

In 2021 we will launch a transformational digital system for lodging Heritage Act applications and searching heritage information. The HMS will replace existing systems and paper-based applications. See Heritage NSW website for more information and further updates as the go live date approaches.

Standard exemptions – new exemptions apply

From 1 December 2020 new standard exemptions apply for items listed on the State Heritage Register or subject to an Interim Heritage Order. If you are planning works, check if you still need to apply for approval or notify Heritage NSW of the works – they may now be covered by an exemption. See Heritage NSW website for more information about the types of exemptions that apply.

Conservation Management Plan review – changes

From July 2020 the Heritage Council of NSW ceased offering the review and endorsement of conservation management plans. We still recommend the preparation of CMPs as best practice heritage management documents and we’re currently updating guidance material to support this process. See Heritage NSW website for more information.