Temperature effects on copper-clad brickwork dome roof

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental investigation that involved the monitoring of crack movements in the copper-clad brickwork dome roof of an historic building known as Mussenden Temple—a National Trust property located on the north coast of Northern Ireland. An automatic strain measurement instrumentation system was installed which enabled monitoring of crack movements and temperatures at hourly intervals over a four year monitoring period. The data collected over this period is summarised and some interesting conclusions are drawn. It is hoped that the findings of this research will be useful in the assessment of other historic buildings and structures.