Earthquake-Induced Damage Detection in a Monumental Masonry Bell-Tower Using Long-Term Dynamic Monitoring Data

ABSTRACT

This work investigates the use of an advanced long-term vibration-based structural health monitoring tool to automatically detect earthquake-induced damages in heritage structures. Damage produced in a monumental bell-tower at increasing values of the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of the seismic input is predicted by incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis, using a Finite Element model calibrated on the basis of experimentally identified natural modes. Then, predicted damage effects are artificially introduced in the monitoring data to check for their detectability. The results demonstrate that a very small damage, associated to a low intensity and low return period earthquake, is clearly detected by the monitoring system.

KEYWORDS:

• Earthquake-Induced Damage Detection
• Structural Health Monitoring
• Heritage Structures
• Preventive Conservation
• Seismic Resilience

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the “Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia” Foundation that funded this study through the project “DELPHI: monitoring and preventive conservation of monumental buildings exposed to the seismic risk” (Project Code 2016.0028.021). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020 under grant agreement No. 700395.