Use of non-destructive testing for the evaluation of the preservation state of Iquique Clock Tower, Chilean Historic Monument

Authors

  • Rodrigo Osvaldo Ortiz Mansilla
  • Nicol Alejandra Fuentes Sazo
  • Andrés Eduardo Jamet Aguilar
  • Alberto Aníbal Moya Arredondo
  • Mauricio Andrés González Moya
  • María Paz Varela Díaz
  • Aldo Augusto Ramírez Guerra
  • Erik Baradit Allendes
  • Patricia Haydée Martínez Ramírez

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.18.2.238

Keywords:

Clock tower, Evaluation, Wood, NDT, MOE

Abstract

The Clock Tower, a typical expression of the saltpeter period, is located in Arturo Prat Square in Iquique, Chile. The building, completely made of wood, has endured the passing of time without major modifications. There is concern about its conservation state. However, there are no records of in-depth evaluations that determine its conservation state. The present study, carried out through the use of non-destructive testing (NDT), is an evaluation of its current state. Basic inspection and structural analysis were also included. The results indicate that the wood of the building corresponds to the species Pseudotsuga menziesii (Oregon Pine). The basic inspection does not reveal any significant damage. However, there is evidence of attacks by insects in the larval stage, social insects and brown rot fungi. Abiotic deterioration by defibering is also observed. NDT studies—ultrasound, resistography and xylo hygrometry—allowed the estimation of density and static modulus of elasticity (MOE) in bending. The low density of wood is shown in a static MOE value of only 4.4 GPa. According to Chilean regulations, wood elements were classified as structural class F3. However, the structural analysis determined that the working stresses did not exceed the admissible stresses. At the foundations level, it is necessary to perform intervention actions.

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Author Biographies

Rodrigo Osvaldo Ortiz Mansilla

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso rodrigo.ortiz@uv.cl

Nicol Alejandra Fuentes Sazo

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso nicol.fuentess@alumnos.uv.cl

Andrés Eduardo Jamet Aguilar

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso andres.jamet@uv.cl

Alberto Aníbal Moya Arredondo

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso alberto.moya@uv.cl

Mauricio Andrés González Moya

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso mauricio.gonzalez@uv.cl

María Paz Varela Díaz

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso mariapaz.varela@uv.cl

Aldo Augusto Ramírez Guerra

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso aldo.ramirez@uv.cl

Erik Baradit Allendes

Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Bío Bío, Concepción (Chile) Avenida Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C, 4051381 Concepción, Chile aldo.ramirez@uv.cl

Patricia Haydée Martínez Ramírez

Escuela de Construcción Civil, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso (Chile) General Cruz 222, Valparaíso patricia.martinez@uv.cl

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Published

2019-08-31

How to Cite

Ortiz Mansilla, R. O., Fuentes Sazo, N. A., Jamet Aguilar, A. E., Moya Arredondo, A. A., González Moya, M. A., Varela Díaz, M. P., Ramírez Guerra, A. A., Baradit Allendes, E., & Martínez Ramírez, P. H. (2019). Use of non-destructive testing for the evaluation of the preservation state of Iquique Clock Tower, Chilean Historic Monument. Revista De La Construcción. Journal of Construction, 18(2), 238–246. https://doi.org/10.7764/RDLC.18.2.238