Minimizing Transportation Damage of Murals: Application of Wire Rope Isolators and Real-Time Vibration Monitoring in the Case Study of Diego Rivera’s ‘Pan American Unity’
Source abstract
Abstract
The transportation of large murals with significant historical and cultural value presents a considerable challenge due to their high susceptibility to damage caused by mechanical vibrations. This article presents a study on the design, implementation, and evaluation of an advanced wire rope isolator system, complemented by vibration sensors equipped with indicator lights for real-time monitoring. The research focuses on the case study of the relocation of Diego Rivera’s mural “Pan American Unity” from the City College of San Francisco to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The study observed a reduction in vibration transmission to the mural panels, achieving vibration attenuation of up to −20 dB in the critical 10–30 Hz frequency band during transportation. It was also found that the implementation of real-time monitoring with indicator lights alerted operators and conservators to critical vibration levels, enabling immediate intervention.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Conservation Techniques and Studies · Building materials and conservation · Music Technology and Sound Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
College of Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
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