Accessible Text Alternative for Stability of Graveyards Memorial Diagram
This is an accessible text alternative, for example to use with assistive technology, for a diagram that contrasts the stability of different types and periods of graveyard memorials.
Victorian monuments
- Victorian memorials were sometimes designed with substantial foundations. John Louden, writing in 1843, recommended an 18 inch square pillar to support a pedestal ornament up to 18 inches wide
- Typical features are corbelled foundation slabs and an underground pillar
- The stability of a monument is influenced by its proportions: a broad base and lower centre of gravity increases its resistance to overturning
- At least a third of a monolithic monument should be below ground to promote stability: Victorian monolithic headstones were often set well into the ground.
20th century lawn monuments
Many 20th century lawn memorials have proved unsafe because they were only bonded with a thin layer of cement and had insufficient or no dowels or ground anchorage.
New memorial regulations
- New codes of practice and British Standard 8415 will ensure than new memorials are secured with stainless steel dowels and also a ground anchor if they are over 625 millimetres high
- The diagram shows the idealised components of such a structure: a headstone, stainless steel dowels, stone base, precast concrete foundation slab and ground anchor.
