Seismic Assessment of a Historical Tower with Advanced Numerical Model Tuned on Ambient Vibration Data

2010 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 617-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D’Ambrisi ◽  
V. Mariani ◽  
M. Mezzi

This paper deals with the dynamic characterization and the evaluation of the seismic response of the medieval civic tower of Soncino (Cremona, Italy). The dynamic characteristics and the mechanical properties of the masonry tower are evaluated through ambient vibration tests, which provide results in a fast and non destructive way with respect to the traditional methods such as forced vibration tests. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are performed on a finite element model of the tower calibrated on the results of the dynamic identification. The damage levels and the seismic capacity of the structure are also evaluated. The obtained results allow to predict the seismic behaviour of the tower and to define possible strengthening and restoration interventions.

Author(s):  
Yozo Fujino ◽  
Masato Abe ◽  
Hajime Shibuya ◽  
Masato Yanagihara ◽  
Masashi Sato ◽  
...  

Forced and ambient dynamic tests of the Hakucho Bridge were carried out to study the dynamic characteristics of this suspension bridge. Dense-array measurement was employed in order to capture not only natural frequencies and damping, but also the mode shapes of the bridge. The natural frequencies and mode shapes obtained from the forced and ambient vibration tests agreed well with those calculated by a three-dimensional finite element model. A new method that combines the random decrement method with the Ibrahim time domain method is proposed to systematically identify the natural frequencies, damping, and mode shapes. This method is successfully applied to ambient vibration data. It is shown that the natural frequency of the first vertical bending mode decreases noticeably as the wind speed increases. It is also shown that the shape of the first vertical bending mode changes slightly near the towers, depending on the wind velocity; this finding indicates that the change may be associated with friction in the bearings at the towers. Finally, application of the Global Positioning System to measure static displacement of the girder is explained.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Vincenzo Calcina ◽  
Laura Eltrudis ◽  
Luca Piroddi ◽  
Gaetano Ranieri

This paper deals with the ambient vibration tests performed in an arch dam in two different working conditions in order to assess the effect produced by two different reservoir water levels on the structural vibration properties. The study consists of an experimental part and a numerical part. The experimental tests were carried out in two different periods of the year, at the beginning of autumn (October 2012) and at the end of winter (March 2013), respectively. The measurements were performed using a fast technique based on asynchronous records of microtremor time-series. In-contact single-station measurements were done by means of one single high resolution triaxial tromometer and two low-frequency seismometers, placed in different points of the structure. The Standard Spectral Ratio method has been used to evaluate the natural frequencies of vibration of the structure. A 3D finite element model of the arch dam-reservoir-foundation system has been developed to verify analytically determined vibration properties, such as natural frequencies and mode shapes, and their changes linked to water level with the experimental results.


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