Buildings: Cason del Buen Retiro

Case study: SOFO System

Monitoring during restoration works
Preservation of the original structure integrity
Cracks and deformations monitoring

Project Description

Summary: Monitoring of the Cason del Buen Retiro Museum during restoration works

Clients: Ministero de Education, Cultura y Deporte

Place: Madrid (Spain)

Period: 2003 - 2005

Installation: IIC, Spain

Structure's short description: Cason del Buen Retiro is an ancient building dated XVII century located in the centre of Madrid (Spain). It was rebuilt in XIX century. The building is now part of the Prado Museum and it is used as an exhibition museum for temporary expositions. Due to important deterioration in 2003 the Culture Ministry promoted its restoration and surface extension.

Aim of monitoring: Extension of the exhibit surface was carried out through redistribution of the building floor and the excavation of three new under stores. During restoration works the structure had to be supported by steel micro piles and a new reinforced concrete walls to support the original ones. To allow a strict structural behavior evaluation over the different phases of the restoration and evaluate abnormal deformations, small variations of the original structure, and possible cracking, a comprehensive instrumentation including long gage SOFO sensors was implemented. In particular the SOFO sensors were used to monitor the deformations of the timber structure that support the vault of the dancing room with the outstanding fresco of Lucas Jordan (XVIII).

Number of sensor: 8

Main Results: SOFO sensors measurements showed how the daily thermal gradient could substantially affect the structure. On the other hand the measured movements due to mechanical strain were not significant for the preservation of the structure integrity.

Restoration works

Supporting micro piles during restoration works

Installation of SOFO sensors

SOFO sensors deformations results

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