Abstract
ABSTRACT Recent seismic events in the Mediterranean have highlighted the vulnerability of historical monuments and museum artefacts to earthquakes. Although efforts have been made to protect buildings, attention to safeguarding artefacts within these structures has often been overlooked. Research on their protection mainly relies on analytical studies and small-scale models, with limited application in testing full-scale scenarios. The objective of this study is to assess the seismic performance of a novel 2-D base isolation device designed to protect museum artefacts, particularly statues. The device consists of a series of articulated quadrilateral mechanisms called Kinematic Steel Joint (KSJ), which enable a rigid base to move independently in both horizontal directions and exhibit pendulum-like behavior with the ability to re-center itself. The KSJ isolator has been extensively tested on a full-scale model using shaking tables of the L.E.D.A. Research Institute at the Kore University of Enna, Italy. To characterize it dynamically, the model has been subjected to random noises and earthquakes under various conditions and payload intensities. Subsequently, shake table tests have been conducted using a full-scale replica of the 2.24 meter high statue of the Goddess of Morgantina to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed seismic isolator in protecting statues during earthquakes.
Published Version
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