Title: Unveiling the complexity of twin church bells dynamics using ambient vibration tests

Authors: Angela Ferrante; Ersilia Giordano; Gianluca Standoli; Francesca Bianconi; Francesco Clementi; Stefano Lenci

Addresses: Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ' Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ' Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ' Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ' Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy ' Department of Civil and Building Engineering, and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Abstract: On the Italian territory, many monumental structures need to be preserved. Given their great historical and architectural value, it is essential to use minimally invasive, but effective, techniques able to evaluate their current structural capabilities and monitor their structural health. The technique that currently appears most appropriate is the ambient vibration monitoring, which, through the analysis of recorded accelerometric time-histories in operating conditions, returns the current dynamic properties of the structure. This work shows the results of the short-term monitoring carried out on the two towers of the San Francesco Church, located in the city of Ascoli Piceno. Modal identification allowed obtaining its frequencies, modal shapes, and damping. With these data, the finite element model of the complex was calibrated, acting on the elastic parameters of the masonry, making numerical modal shapes and frequencies match with the experimental results.

Keywords: dynamic identification; numerical models; NM; masonry churches; masonry towers; ambient vibration tests; monumental structures; structural health monitoring; SHM; finite element model; model updating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2023.131839

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2023 Vol.8 No.4/5, pp.520 - 530

Received: 18 Aug 2021
Accepted: 08 Dec 2021
Published online: 04 Jul 2023 *

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