Major work on basilica the focus of exhibition
The South Canterbury Museum’s exhibition explores the work going on in the closed work-site that is the Sacred Heart Basilica since early last year.
The earthquakes experienced in Canterbury during 2010 and 2011 led to a new focus on improving building standards.
As a result much of the work focuses on seismic strengthening, but also includes some building upgrade and renewal work.
The major part of the structural work on the Sacred Heart Basilica focuses on seismic (earthquake) strengthening work intended to bring the building up to meet new building standards.
Much of this work centres on the development of a support structure for the two towers at the front of the church.
In order to stiffen the towers, a new internal steel frame has been installed within the towers.
The frames will aid in preventing the towers overturning during the motion that it could be affected by in the event of an earthquake.
The second aspect of the structure is concrete reinforcement. The framework is attached to new concrete lining on the inside of the towers.
This, and other minor work helps strengthen the connection between the masonry and other parts of the towers.
Furthermore a new reinforced concrete slab also ties the towers together at the second floor level over the main church entrance.
Back in May last year, the bells were removed from the north (bell) tower so these new structures were fitted.
The old steel frame that the bells hung from was also replaced to support the now refurbished bells for decades to come.
After the reinstallation of the bells, many of the old wooden tower louvres also required refreshing.
These, much larger than they look from the ground, were repainted or replaced before going back in.
Work on the towers is a major part of the work that has been ongoing at the basilica, but only one part.
The exhibition also explores other aspects of the work.
If you would like to explore what’s been happening at the basilica, you had better visit the South Canterbury Museum soon, as the exhibition has only a few more weeks to go.