Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(6):688-696

Bečov Castle. Analysis of the disruption of the southern stone wall of the connecting wing and proposal for its rehabilitation

Jiří Witzany, Klára Kroftová, Tomáš Čejka, Radek Zigler

Fakulta stavební ČVUT

As part of the ongoing renovation of Bečov Castle, the conservation and restoration of selected parts of the south wall of the connecting wing was carried out. This connecting wing with its late Gothic hall, initially two-storeyed, was connected in 1524 with a separate tower called the chapel tower, built in 1352 with a massive dungeon from 1356. The formerly separate dungeon was modified in the third quarter of the 14th century by the construction of a chapel (hence the name "chapel tower"). In the last quarter of the 16th century, the connecting wing was raised by another floor (the so-called tabular) during the Renaissance modifications of the castle buildings.
The masonry of the southern wall of the connecting wing was largely disrupted by significant cracks, some of which were visible from the outside on the inside and covered with a weathered and damaged lime plaster. Finding the probable causes of the formation and development of the cracks is one of the crucial prerequisites for ensuring the required life span of the repairs. The technology and material used for the conservation and restoration of the masonry surface, in particular for the repair of the existing "passive cracks" (steady structural failure) are different from "active cracks" and from the increased intensity of the degradation processes that lead to mechanical disturbances that develop and spread further. First of all, due to the location of the castle in a seismically active area (the center of Nový Kostel from where "seismic swarms" spread), it is necessary to assess whether the effects of natural seismicity are the cause of the cracks and disturbances.
The article presents the results of analyses and a proposal for the rehabilitation of the cracks. Based on the visual inspection, the analyses, and the assessments carried out, the existing state can be stated as stabilized and the existing cracks as passive cracks. In view of this fact, in accordance with the requirements for heritage care, for the renovation and restoration of the walls of the southern and eastern wall, injection grouting is recommended as a basic measure.

Keywords: Bečov Castle, analysis of static disruptions, stone wall rehabilitation

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation