Characterization of mechanical properties of Vasa oak and their application in a full-scale numerical model for support assessment

• The 17th century Vasa shipwreck is a well-known object of cultural heritage. According to geodetic measurements inside and outside of the ship as well as on the support structure, the ship is sinking onto its cradle. The analysis of measurements showed the ship undergoes continued deformation with increasing strain. Previous research projects on the Vasa ship have largely been focused on the chemical degradation of the Vasa oak, which concerns the waterlogged polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnated oak wood. The main goal was to provide understanding of the degradation mechanisms and possible remedies to mitigate the chemical decay. In this paper, a review is presented of previous research in term of characterization of mechanical properties, and effects of PEG and moisture on the mechanical behaviour of the Vasa oak. In addition, a full-scale finite-element model of the Vasa ship has been developed to assess its current and future structural behaviour, as well as a tool to design an improved support structure. The mechanical properties, defined in the model in terms of orthotropic elastic engineering constants, have been determined in previous work. Moreover, creep properties of the archaeological wood material have been and are being characterized, so that the model can be extended by extrapolation to predict future deformation. Geodetic measurements have been used for validation of the static model. The approach undertaken in this project could hopefully be useful in design strategies of improved support for other aging and deforming wood structures in cultural heritage.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Teknisk mekanik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Applied Mechanics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

cultural heritage

wood

Vasa oak

numerical model

geodetic measurements

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)