[NHCOLL-L:5159] Re: vibration levels for wet collections

[Paul Callomon]

Hi Katherine, 
 
This is tricky. How much vibration glass jars can stand before they crack is hard to predict, because there are so many variables. Thick, flat-sided 2oz flint tablet jars are pretty hard to bust - I've dropped them on a cement floor with no breakage - but two round gallon jars full of liquid that are touching each other will shatter with a dismayingly minor shock. As a rule, the bigger the jar (and thus the heavier and more inert its contents), the more easily it will break if it rests against another of similar size and is subjected to sudden vibration.
I suggest you buy a long roll of foam cushion material, cut it into strips and interlace these between every jar and its neighbor. 
 
PC. 
 
 
 
Paul Callomon
Collections Manager
Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
Department of Malacology
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
Tel 215-405-5096
Fax 215-299-1170

>>> Katherine Maslenikov <pearsonk at u.washington.edu> 1/4/2011 2:54 PM >>>
Hello,

   We are in the planning stages of a project that will fix the faulty 
water-proofing membrane of our building (and 20 years of water leaking 
into our collection and office spaces).  This will involve excavating 
around the entire building and the use of heavy machinery.  I'm told 
they will need to use earth compactors to shore up the earth where they 
excavate, in addition to other processes that will cause significant 
vibration.  Our fish collection is housed in glass jars of 70% ethanol 
on moving compactor units in the basement of the building.
   I'm looking for literature or any studies that would show the effects 
of vibration on wet collections, or perhaps that might outline 
acceptable vibration limits.  Does anyone have any experience with this 
or know of any resources that might help?

Thank you,

-Katherine
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