Shake table testing of museum display cases

Abstract

Throughout history, objects of art have been damaged and sometimes destroyed in earthquakes. Research was undertaken to investigate the seismic vulnerability of art objects exhibited on display cases, and museum floor motions representative of Montreal seismic hazards were simulated for that purpose. Particular attention was paid to the effects on art object seismic vulnerability of support conditions, modified floor surfaces, sliding and rocking responses of unrestrained display cases, floor elevations, art object mass, and the dynamic properties of the display cases. Seismic vulnerability of art objects was evaluated based on the seismic response of the display cases at the level of art object display. Display cases were investigated experimentally using shake table testing. Floor contact conditions and elevation had a crucial effect on the unrestrained display cases, causing them to slide or rock vigorously. As a result of experimental analysis, recommendations and (or) simple mitigation techniques are provided to reduce the seismic vulnerability of art objects exhibited on these display cases.