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Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
  Volume 1, Number 2, June 2014 , pages 231-247
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/smm.2014.1.2.231
 

Ambient vibration tests of XV century Renaissance Palace after 2012 Emilia earthquake in Northern Italy
Gian Paolo Cimellaro and Alessandro De Stefano

 
Abstract
    This paper focuses on the dynamic behaviour of Mirandola City Hall (a XV century Renaissance Palace) that was severely damaged during May 2012 Emilia earthquake in Northern Italy. Experimental investigations have been carried out on this monumental building. Firstly, detailed investigations have been carried out to identify the identification of the geometry of the main constructional parts as well as the mechanical features of the constituting materials of the palace. Then, Ambient Vibration Tests (AVT) have been applied, for the detection of the main dynamic features. Three output-only identification methods have been compared: (i) the Frequency Domain Decomposition, (ii) the Random Decrement (RD) and the (iii) Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA). The modal parameters of the Palace were difficult to be identified due to the severe structural damage; however the two bending modes in the perpendicular directions were identified. The comparison of the three experimental techniques showed a good agreement confirming the reliability of the three identification methods.
 
Key Words
    structural health monitoring; output only methods; ambient vibration tests; historical buildings; earthquake damage; frequency domain decomposition; random decrement; Eigensystem Realization Algorithm; ERA; structural health diagnosis and prognosis
 
Address
Gian Paolo Cimellaro and Alessandro De Stefano: Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering (DISEG), Politecnicodi Torino, Torino, Italy
 

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