Setup Optimization of Experimental Measures on a Historical Building: The Octagonal Hall of the Diocletian’s Bath

Abstract

The growing use of highly specialized tools has led to a better knowledge of the mechanical properties of the structures, reducing the destructive tests. The paper is aimed to identify an investigation method capable of directing staff in the planning of non-destructive test. The experimental campaigns must be planned in order to optimize the number and the type of tests to limit invasiveness and impact. The proposed method has been organized in a logical scheme that permits, in five steps, to predict with a good approximation the critical sections for an optimal setup of testing instruments. This method has been applied to the Octagonal Hall in Diocletian’s Bath, to establish a better location for the dynamic endoscopy and tomographic tests. A geometrical model was built using the plans, elevations, sections provided by the National Roman Museum and the point cloud made through a drone. With HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) it was possible to synthesize the information obtained from the geometric and material survey and then to convey it to a finite element model built on Midas Fea NX. Then, structural analyses, both linear and nonlinear, have been carried out for the optimal test setup.

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

“…Dynamic identification records the response accelerations of a structure in a limited number of measurement points, which are chosen based on the theoretical largest displacements, accessibility, and, of course, budget. Santini et al [18] employed a FEM to estimate the dynamic features of the Octagonal Hall at the Baths of Diocletian and optimally plan the dynamic monitoring system and the testing campaign. This preliminary simulation is also useful to comprehend structural behavior and evaluate the validity of the model's assumptions.…”

Seismic Assessment of Roman Concrete Groin Vaults through UAV, NDT and 3D Analyses

“…In the present article, the authors deal with the study of the large groin vaults that form the structural system of the Roman thermal complexes. The object of this research work is the great Hall I of the Baths of Diocletian in Rome (Figure 1); the study starts from a similar case on a southwestern portion of the complex, the Octagonal Hall [7].…”