< Terug naar vorige pagina
Publicatie
Unraveling an unique construction history as a result of monitoring: the medieval gateway of the Huysmans farm (Eeklo, Belgium)
Boekbijdrage - Boekhoofdstuk Conferentiebijdrage
The Huysmans farm in Eeklo (Belgium), a rectangular yard with moat, is accessible through a remarkable medieval gateway. In preparation to the consolidation and restoration of the gateway, information about the erection of the gateway and the material properties was required.
Observation of ancient building traces, dendrochronological analysis of timber core samples (roof and joisting), identification of the brickwork and soil-drilling tests in the moat were executed. Besides, carottage of the foundations and monitoring the structural deformations provide important information for the strengthening of the construction.
The oldest construction was a modest gate with an entrance for farm carts and one for pedestrians. Dendrochronological analysis or tree-ring dating of a timber core sample (wooden inclusion) in one of the buttresses established the cutting date 1253 AD. Identification of Flemish cloister bricks (ca. 29 x 14 x 7,5 cm) and alternating Doornikse limestone, helped dating this first phase between 1253 and 1270 AD. By means of soil-drilling tests, information was obtained on the physical properties of the soil in and around the moat. Light to medium dens sand layers and naturally clay-bonded sand were found under the oldest foundations. This uninterrupted soil means that the gate was erected at the same time as the moat.
Literature sources are rather contradictory about the exact date of realisation and original shape and size of the gateway. This paper describes the assessment, monitoring and evaluation in preparation to the restoration of this remarkable medieval structure and provides new insight into its construction history, linking archives material to on site monitoring and analysis.
Observation of ancient building traces, dendrochronological analysis of timber core samples (roof and joisting), identification of the brickwork and soil-drilling tests in the moat were executed. Besides, carottage of the foundations and monitoring the structural deformations provide important information for the strengthening of the construction.
The oldest construction was a modest gate with an entrance for farm carts and one for pedestrians. Dendrochronological analysis or tree-ring dating of a timber core sample (wooden inclusion) in one of the buttresses established the cutting date 1253 AD. Identification of Flemish cloister bricks (ca. 29 x 14 x 7,5 cm) and alternating Doornikse limestone, helped dating this first phase between 1253 and 1270 AD. By means of soil-drilling tests, information was obtained on the physical properties of the soil in and around the moat. Light to medium dens sand layers and naturally clay-bonded sand were found under the oldest foundations. This uninterrupted soil means that the gate was erected at the same time as the moat.
Literature sources are rather contradictory about the exact date of realisation and original shape and size of the gateway. This paper describes the assessment, monitoring and evaluation in preparation to the restoration of this remarkable medieval structure and provides new insight into its construction history, linking archives material to on site monitoring and analysis.
Boek: proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Analyses of Historical Constructions
Volume: 3/3
Pagina's: 2567-2572
Aantal pagina's: 5
ISBN:978-83-7125-216-7
Jaar van publicatie:2012
Trefwoorden:Medieval structure, dendrochronological analysis, brickwork monitoring