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The Relevance of Acoustical Methods in Estimating Cavity-Induced Mural Degradation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Sandra Cruz-Flores
Affiliation:
Coordinación Nacional de Restauración, INAH/CNCA, México, D.F., 04120
Miguel De Icaza
Affiliation:
IFUNAM, México, D.F., 01000
Victor M. Castano
Affiliation:
IFUNAM, México, D.F., 01000
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Abstract

Acoustic techniques have always had an important presence in monument conservation. A first evaluation of the formation of cavities and/or inhomogeneities is commonly done by finger rapping and ear listening, to discover acoustical variations in the transmission of sound waves. We have characterized the size of the cavities in several materials, as stones, rocks, mural paintings and stucco, by using 7 kHz sound waves generated by a piezoelectric transducer. The experimental set-up developed for these purposes allows, through the analysis of the waves' delay times, to detect cavities and/or inhomogeneities as small as 4 cm in diameter. The design of the instrument, its capabilities and potential applications are documented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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References

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