Gallery and transport environments
Investigating, modelling and preventing deterioration in display and transport of cultural objects
Example project
The effect of relative humidity variations on cracking in panel paintings
Whilst some gallery environments are tightly controlled, other locations of important cultural artefacts experience daily, monthly and annual variations in temperature and relative humidity. These environmental variations cause fatigue in artefacts, and can lead to cracking. Modelling the initiation and propagation of damage enables the requirements for environmental control to be assessed.
Further reading
- Imperial engineers research crack formation in wooden paintings
- Reconstruction of historical temperature and relative humidity cycles within Knole House, Kent
Scientific literature
Image credit: Caroline Prew, Imperial College London