Experimental Vibration Analysis in the Structural Health Monitoring of Cultural Heritage

This volume focuses on experimental vibration analysis as a tool for the structural health monitoring of cultural heritage structures. It reports some of the most significant experiences of a team of ENEA researchers, conducted over approximately 40 years of work. The first chapter provides an overview of traffic-induced vibrations, often used as a source of stress on structures, and the theory of experimental vibration analysis, with reference to the analysis of experimental data and the principles of structural identification. Four chapters follow, each dedicated to a specific type of specification. The second chapter illustrates analyses performed on several world-famous archaeological sites, such as the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Circus Maximus in Rome, and the Villa dei Misteri in the Pompeii Archaeological Park. The third chapter includes experimental analyses on tower structures, which are particularly vulnerable to seismic actions. These include studies on the Trajan’s and Marcus Aurelius’ Columns and the Flaminio and Lateran Obelisks in Rome, as well as on the earthquake-damaged bell tower of the Church of San Giorgio in Trignano. Among the historic buildings to which the fourth chapter is dedicated are the Villa Farnesina in Rome, a sixteenth-century building containing numerous frescoes by Raffaello and his team; the medieval CEDRAV buildings in Cerreto di Spoleto and the Palazzo Marchesale in San Giuliano di Puglia, both damaged by recent seismic events; the Torlonia building in Avezzano and the Pievepelago hospital, which required assessment due to their strategic use. Finally, the fifth chapter includes some examples of experimental vibration analysis on religious buildings, such as the Round Temple in the Forum Boarium and the Temple of Minerva Medica in Rome, subjected to the effects of traffic-induced vibrations; and the world-famous Orvieto Cathedral and the Church of San Pietro in San Martino in Pensilis, damaged by seismic events.