Feature sponsored by Test & measurement
evaluate factors that alter materials. To do this, it is necessary to grasp and have a holistic understanding of the artefact. Cultural heritage science and engineering methods for understanding material behaviour require an interdisciplinary approach. Textiles are among the most sensitive art and cultural heritage objects. In the course of their production and handling, their presentation and storage, they are often exposed to influences that can have a damaging effect. The French start-up company S-MA-C-H has studied the Bayeux Tapestry as part of a research project and, with the help of IDS cameras, has developed a system that provides valuable insights for the conservation-optimised storage and presentation of this delicate and extraordinary artefact. The expertise of conservators, combined with state-of-the-art technology, helps to identify potentially damaging factors at an early stage, to minimise them or, at best, to exclude them altogether. The system was designed for a comprehensive study looking at the mechanical behaviour of the Bayeux Tapestry - commissioned and funded by the Normandy Regional Office for Cultural Affairs. “We contributed our expertise in mechanical engineering by fully monitoring the stress and
P
reventive conservation plays an important role in the
preservation of art and cultural assets. In order to preserve their condition for as long as possible, it is essential to slow down ageing processes and
strain on the tapestry. In addition to monitoring, we helped to devise conservation solutions. This involved classifying and assessing the degree of risk and sensitivity of the tapestry in its surrounding indoor climate,” explains Cécilia Gauvin, co-founder and managing director of S-MA-C-H. A multidisciplinary team of textile and preventive conservators as well as heritage conservation scientists characterised the artefact's response to appropriate environmental fluctuations. “The project addressed two main questions: what are the optimal parameters for a presentation on sloping supports and how does the tapestry react to its microclimate?” To be able to answer these questions, the tapestry was monitored by temperature and humidity sensors as well as by force sensors to record the gravity pressure. The heart and brain of the system: a non-contact 2D full-field Digital Image Correlation (DIC), consisting of
Image credit: S-MA-C-H 24 May 2023 Instrumentation Monthly
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