Dynamic Identification as a Tool to Constrain Numerical Models for Structural Analysis of Historical Buildings

Abstract

Operational modal analysis (OMA), also known as output-only or ambient vibration test (AVT), has become in last decades a powerful approach for a wide range of applications in the field of civil engineering. When historical structures are investigated this approach is particularly appealing avoiding shaking the structure artificially. This paper discusses the assessment of the dynamic behavior of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Firenze (Italy). Based on experimental results obtained through a temporary network of seismic sensors, the enhanced frequency domain decomposition (EFDD) technique is employed to evaluate frequencies and mode shapes. These modal parameters are subsequently used to calibrate a 3D finite element (FE) model of the Baptistery. Genetic algorithm (GA) technique is employed for calibration, thus allowing to obtain an accurate and robust numerical model. To verify the effects introduced by the number of identified modal parameters on the model updating procedure several analyses are in addition performed. This paper, providing an illustrative case study in the field of health monitoring of monumental structures, confirms that the OMA technique is able to derive effective information on the dynamic behavior of historical buildings, which in turn is useful to tune reliable and robust numerical models to be employed for structural analysis.

Non-Destructive Testing and Synergistic Investigation of a Historic Tower

“…Lately, a simplified numerical model is developed and the uncertain structural parameters are calibrated using a classical model updating technique. In comparison with other research [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], the developed procedure focuses specifically on the merging of architectonic information and the FE model updating to develop simplified numerical models that should be integrated in the context of a digital twin for architectural preservation [25,26]. This paper illustrates the application of the proposed procedure-including historical and architectural investigation supplemented by dynamic testing-in the structural evaluation of the Zuccaro's tower (or Torre degli Zuccaro, in Italian) in Mantua (Italy) (Figures 2 and 3).…”

Structural Identification from Operational Modal Analysis: The Case of Steel Structures

“…The study [22] presented an identification problem for a reinforced concrete, tall building based on model updating and experimental modal analysis. In [23], the authors showed the dynamic identification of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Firenze (Italy) based on OMA and frequency domain decomposition.…”

Integrated Modeling of Minerva Medica to Identify the Dynamic Effects of Rail-Traffic Vibrations

“…There are several studies in the literature on applications of finite-element models to study dynamic analyses with use of experimental measurements; a large part of the scientific literature concerns slender structures, such as towers and minarets [4][5][6][7][8]. There are also works regarding ancient Roman constructions, such as the Colosseum [3,9,10], the Basilica of Maxentius [2], the Baths of Diocletian [11], the Trajan Arch [12], the Circus Maximum [13], the Frontinus Gate [14], the Verona Arena [15], and the so-called Temple of Minerva Medica [16,17]; the main focus of these studies is dynamic identification, thus processing of site-recorded data to extract the modal features of these constructions.…”