Abstract
The paper presents some results of the continuous dynamic monitoring program carried out on the tallest historic tower in Mantua, Italy. This project follows an extensive diagnostic investigation aimed at assessing the structural condition of the tower after the Italian earthquakes of May 2012. A simple dynamic monitoring system was permanently installed in the upper part of the building and automatic modal identification was performed. The results allow to evaluate the effects of changing temperature on automatically identified natural frequencies, to verify the practical feasibility of damage detection methods based on natural frequencies shifts and provide clear evidence of the possible key role of continuous dynamic monitoring in the preventive conservation of historic towers.
Highlights
Ancient masonry towers represent a significant part of the existing Cultural Heritage buildings, as these historic structures were built with different characteristics and functions: bell towers, lookout or defensive towers, chimneys and minarets
The cantilever-like behaviour of towers suggests the use of simple dynamic monitoring systems, consisting of few accelerometers installed in the upper part of the building, with preventive conservation and/or Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) purposes [3, 5]
After a brief description of the tower and the postearthquake survey, the paper presents the results of the first 15 months of monitoring, highlighting the effect of temperature on the automatically identified natural frequencies and the practical feasibility of damage detection methods based on natural frequency shifts and novelty indices
Summary
Ancient masonry towers represent a significant part of the existing Cultural Heritage buildings, as these historic structures were built with different characteristics and functions: bell towers (especially meaningful in Italy, considering the high number of historic churches), lookout or defensive towers, chimneys and minarets. In addition to the general issues characterizing the preservation of historic buildings (i.e. ageing of materials, presence of cracks and damage, effects of successive adding or modifications, lack of connection between structural elements), masonry towers are usually slender and subjected to significant dead loads. Such important aspects as well as the presence of adjacent buildings and large openings at belfries may often lead to high sensitivity or vulnerability to dynamic actions, such as traffic-induced micro-tremors, swinging of bells, wind and earthquakes. After a brief description of the tower and the postearthquake survey, the paper presents the results of the first 15 months of monitoring, highlighting the effect of temperature on the automatically identified natural frequencies and the practical feasibility of damage detection methods based on natural frequency shifts and novelty indices
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