Restoration of the vaulted entrance tunnel to the stadium, Ancient Nemea, Greece


Abstract eng:
Constructed in 330-320 B.C., the stadium at Nemea, consists of the race track, the seating area, the vaulted entrance tunnel and the “Apodyterion”. The tunnel was discovered in 1978 by Prof. S. Miller of U.C. Berkeley. It is is an underground structure ~36m long, 2.06m wide and 2.48m high covered by a compact layer of clay-rich soil. It was built in dry masonry in the isodomum system with five rows of ashlars and voussoir blocks on either side of the keystone. A local stone was used, a harder variety on the lower courses and a softer variety on the upper courses, where most damages are encountered. Many of the voussoir blocks have slipped towards the interior of the entrance and sagging is accompanied by cracking, fragmentation and delamination, attributed to mechanical stresses and material degradation. The restoration proposal was based on detailed documentation of dimensions, displacements, and condition on measured axonometric drawings and structural modeling with the 3D finite elements method, in order to clarify construction technology and assess causes of damage and deterioration. Restoration aims to restore the structural stability of the construction while retaining the autonomy of each block as per the original construction technique, by creating “bridges” of cast stone infills with titanium rod reinforcements, between sound ashlars along two or three courses. The design of the cast stone mortar was based the assessment of stone characteristics and testing (strength, hydric properties, durability) in order to obtain a compatible material both in terms of aesthetics and composition without compromising mechanical properties. Consolidation, by grouting with a hydraulic lime-based grout, was an important part of conservation both as preparation for casting the infills as well as the adherence of delaminations.

Contributors:
Publisher:
Glasgow : University of the West of Scotland, 2013
Conference Title:
Conference Title:
3rd Historic Mortars Conference
Conference Venue:
Glasgow, Scotland (UK)
Conference Dates:
2013-09-11 / 2013-09-14
Rights:
Text je chráněný podle autorského zákona č. 121/2000 Sb.



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 Record created 2014-11-03, last modified 2014-11-18


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