Vibration analysis on newly designed painting supports for the Cranach exhibition 2022 at Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

Abstract

The effect of vibration on the condition of sensitive works of art continues to be of great importance to museums. Vibrations contribute to irreversible changes in the complex materiality of art and cultural heritage. In cooperation with the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, the Institute of Engineering and Computational Mechanics at the University of Stuttgart accompanied an exhibition setup. The museum and partners designed free‐standing columns in the exhibition hall to support valuable works of art. Due to their original design, these are susceptible to vibrations. Thus, the question arises as to what extent these columns should be modified in order to reduce these vibrations. In this study, measurements were taken on the floor and on the columns using a variety of measuring techniques. It was investigated which excitations from the environment propagate to the artwork. It was confirmed that vibrations from the environment, such as road traffic and museum visitors in the exhibition room, are sources of excitation. Experimental modal analysis was used to identify the characteristic vibration behaviour of these columns. By using finite element methods, a simulation model was set up allowing to investigate modifications to the columns in order to predict the change in vibration behaviour. Based on the simulation modifications, structural changes were made to the system through stiffening of individual components and redistribution of masses.