Cultural heritage structures and infrastructures vibration monitoring: vibration sensors metrological characteristics identification through finite elements modelling and simulation

Abstract

The preservation of historical structures and infrastructures requires a multidisciplinary approach, based on preventive and planned conservation actions. For such a purpose, digital technologies are increasingly used to adaptively model and verify the behavior and stability of heritage assets. However, the reliability of model outputs depends on the accuracy on input data, which, in turn, depends on an appropriate choice of sensors, based on their technical characteristics. This is why an accurate design of monitoring system is crucial. Considering the installation and operation costs for a tailored system, it would be better to understand in advance the expected dynamic response of the structure or infrastructure to fit the monitoring system characteristics to the monitored structure . This is why, this work applies the use of FEM-based simulations to provide preliminary indications on the expected dynamic behavior of a heritage asset, supporting the identification of metrological parameters, in terms of sensors positioning and signals expected features. The used FEM, referred to a prototype of a Doric column, being the scaled 1:5 copy of a marble colonnade of the Temple of Apollo at Bassae (Greece), was designed, reproducing the parameterization (i.e., shape, measures, materials, etc.) of a previous FEM model, implemented and validated on the basis of experimental tests performed at the National Technical University of Athens. The results shed light on optimal sensor positioning and expected signal amplitudes, demonstrating the model's effectiveness in crafting tailored monitoring solutions for preventive conservation. The study underscores the importance of integrating Finite Element Modeling (FEM), avoiding the usual initial parallelization of model design and its experimental validation, into the creation of 'phygital' systems, that blend physical monitoring with digital twins. This approach not only enhances the accuracy of conservation efforts, but also suggests a promising direction for future research aimed at applying this methodology across a diverse range of heritage structures to support proactive preservation strategies.