Vibration is most commonly encountered in museums and historic houses as a consequence of visitor circulation. It can be particularly pronounced on poorly supported wooden floors, and such vibration is extremely expensive to reduce. This is the major source of vibration to which most objects in museums are exposed. Recently, the emphasis on access and cost has led to building work being undertaken in close proximity to objects on display or in storage. This can generate much higher and more damaging vibration levels than public circulation.
Vibration can lead to object damage through a number of mechanisms. Toppling is of serious concern during earthquakes, when the vibration can have a significant horizontal component, but toppling is less likely from flooring vibrations. The forces induced by the vibration can cause direct damage to weak or fragile objects, especially those with friable pigments or loose corrosion products. Where objects are constrained by mounts, then impact with, or abrasion against, the mount can be damaging. Finally, unrestrained objects can move or ‘walk’ on shelves under the influence of vibration. As well as the potential for impact with other objects, if an object were to ‘walk’ off a shelf this could be catastrophic both to the object itself and to objects below.
The potential risks to museum objects from vibration have been commented upon by several authors and are mentioned in most texts on preventive conservation. Glass, mineral and anthropological collections are reported to be susceptible to vibration damage and anecdotal evidence has been published (Lins 1977, Scott 1989, Waller 1990). However, effective risk assessments for ambient vibrations caused by visitor circulation or for building work are hindered by a lack of published vibration damage levels for museum artefacts. The impact of vibration on paintings and some sculpture has been studied for transportation and some work has been published on the possibility of toppling during earthquakes (Agbabian et al. 1990, Mecklenburg and Tumosa 1991, Michalski 1991, Marcon et al. 1999, Sanders et al. 1999). Standards exist for vibration levels likely to cause damage to building fabrics and nuisance to humans occupying buildings (BSI 1992, BSI 1993, DIN 1997). However, there appears to be a singular lack of data for other types of objects or situations commonly encountered in museums and historic houses.
A major building project at the British Museum, The Great Court, instigated an extensive programme of vibration measurement. The development involved the demolition of redundant buildings and extensive foundation work in the central courtyard of the museum. A large number of galleries and storerooms abut the central courtyard on two levels and were expected to be affected
Originally posted by GargIndia
reply to post by marhaba
How is it common sense?
Which stone object you have seen rotating on its "axis" by vibrations?
I have seen none.
Why the museum not calling "scientists" to investigate?
...the statuette was taken out of its case during refurbishment works on the gallery a few weeks ago.
The base of the statuette is convex and was prone to pivot on a certain point, and the statuette spun very easily when given the slightest nudge – or from tapping the glass shelf on which it rested.
Even very subtle vibrations would cause such movement.
...the ‘spinning statue’ sensation says far more about popular culture and perceptions of ancient Egypt in 2013 than it does about any one object.
... the ‘spinning statuette’ has reinforced tired ideas of ancient Egypt being weird, mysterious and spooky.
Originally posted by Tidnabnilims
reply to post by GargIndia
quite the opposite, they have asked for to be solved, not something you do if you are using it to attract people, and anyway whats wrong with more people going to museums ?