Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental vibration analyses of a historic tower structure

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tower structures were often built by Romans to celebrate military victories, especially in honor of army leaders. They played an important role in the reconstruction of some historical periods, but also in the study of the historical seismicity. These considerations, in conjunction with their cultural value, justify the interest in such structures, which are still objects of several studies. In this paper, the experimental dynamic analyses of the column erected in honour of Emperor Trajan, which is one of the most interesting tower structure in Rome, are shown. The experimental results obtained recently are compared with those of a previous experimental campaign. The study is the base for a numerical modelling of the tower and successive structural analysis in the framework of a preservation effort.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
Fig. 24

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G, Clemente P, Saitta F (2014) Ambient vibrational analysis of Aurelian Column In: proc. 10th US National conf. on earth. eng. (10NCEE, Anchorage, AK, 21–25 July), Paper 1013, EERI. doi:10.4231/D35717P1T

  2. Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G, Clemente P, Verrubbi V, Brunetti A, Mazzanti P (2015) Ambient vibration analysis of monumental columns: comparisons between seismometer and interferometry measurements. In: De Stefano A (ed), Proc. 7th Int. Conf. on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (SHMII-7, 1–3 July 2015, Turin), ISHMII and Politecnico di Torino, SS2

  3. Clemente P (1995) Traffic-induced vibrations on structures. IABSE Rep Ext Lifespan Struct 73(2):1111–1116 (IABSE, Zurich)

    Google Scholar 

  4. De Stefano A, Clemente P (2009) Structural health monitoring of historic buildings. In: Karbhari VM, Ansari F (eds) Structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure systems, chapter 13. Woodhead Publishing Ltd, Sawston, pp 412–434 (ISBN 978-1-84596-682-5 (e-book), CRC Press ISBN 978-1-4398-0131-4). ISBN 978-1-84596-392-3

    Google Scholar 

  5. Clemente P, Buffarini G (2009) Dynamic response of buildings of the cultural heritage. In: Boller C, Chang FK, Fujino Y (eds) Encyclopedia of structural health monitoring. Wiley, Chichester, pp 2243–2252. ISBN 978-0-470-05822-0

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clemente P, Di Lazzaro P, Giorgi R (eds) (2012) Knowledge, diagnostics and preservation of cultural heritage. Special Issue of Energia, Ambiente e Innovazione, ENEA, Roma

    Google Scholar 

  7. Clemente P, Rinaldis D, Buffarini G (2007) Experimental seismic analysis of a historical building. J Intell Mater Syst Struct 18(8):777–784

    Google Scholar 

  8. De Stefano A, Matta E, Clemente P (2016) Structural health monitoring of historical heritage in Italy: some relevant experiences. J Civ Struct Health Monit 6(1):83–106. doi:10.1007/s13349-016-0154-y

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bongiovanni G, Celebi M, Clemente P (1990) The Flaminio Obelisk in Rome: vibrational characteristics as part of preservation efforts. Int J Earth Eng Struct Dyn 19:107–118

    Google Scholar 

  10. Modena C, Valluzzi MR, Folli RT, Binda L (2002) Design choices and intervention techniques for repairing and strengthening of the Monza cathedral bell-tower. Constr Build Mater 16:385–395

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gentile C, Saisi A (2007) Ambient vibration testing of historic masonry towers for structural identification and damage assessment. Constr Build Mater 21:1311–1321

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ivorra F, Pallarés FJ (2006) Dynamic investigations on a masonry bell tower. Eng Struct 28:660–667

    Google Scholar 

  13. Clemente P, Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G (2002) Experimental analysis of the seismic behaviour of a cracked masonry structure. In: proc., 12th European conf. on earth. eng. (12ECEE, London 9–13 Sep), Paper 104, Elsevier Science Ltd

  14. Buffarini G, Clemente P, Paciello A, Rinaldis D (2008) Vibration analysis of the Lateran Obelisk. In: proc. 14th world conf. on earth. eng. (Beijing, Oct. 13–17), S11–055

  15. Buffarini G, Clemente P, Paciello A, Rinaldis D (2009) The Lateran Obelisk: experimental analysis and modelling. In: Mazzolani FM (ed) Protection of historical buildings, Prohitech’09 (Rome, June 21–24), 1, 841–848. Taylor & Francis Group, London

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cardarelli E, Cercato M, Orlando L (2017) Geometry and seismic characterization of the subsoil below the Amphitheatrum Flavium in Rome. Ann Geophys 60(4):S0436. doi:10.4401/ag-7124 (on line 12 July 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Orlando L, De Donno G, Di Giambattista L, Palladini L (2017) Investigating the foundation of the Amphitheatrum Flavium through the passage of Commodus. Ann Geophys 60(4):0437. doi:10.4401/ag-7183 (on line 12 July 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hailemikael S, Milana G, Cara F, Vassallo M, Pischiutta M, Amoroso S, Bordoni P, Cantore L, Di Giulio G, Di Naccio D, Famiani D, Mercuri A (2017) Sub-surface characterization of the Amphitheatrum Flavium area in Rome through single-station ambient vibration measurements. Ann Geophys 60(4):S0438. doi:10.4401/ag-7359 (on line 12 July 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G, Clemente P, Rinaldis D, Saitta F (2017) Dynamic characteristics of the Amphitheatrum Flavium northern wall from traffic-induced vibrations. Ann Geophys 60(4):S0439. doi:10.4401/ag-7178 (on line 12 July 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Clemente P, Saitta F, Buffarini G, Platania L (2015) Stability and seismic analyses of leaning towers: the case of the minaret in Jam. Struct Des Tall Spec Build 24:40–58. doi:10.1002/tal.1153 (on line 11 Feb 2014)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Desideri A, Russo G, Viggiani C (1997) The stability of towers on deformable ground. Rivista Italiana di Geotecnica 1:21–29

    Google Scholar 

  22. Dogangun A, Acar R, Sezen H, Livaoglu R (2008) Investigation of dynamic response of masonry minaret structures. Bull Earthq Eng 6:505–517

    Google Scholar 

  23. Haciefendioğlu K, Birinci F (2011) Stochastic dynamic response of masonry minarets subjected to random blast and earthquake-induced ground motions. Struct Des Tall Spec Build 20:669–678

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G, Clemente P, Conti C, Del Monaco F, Durante F, Rovelli A, Saitta F, Serafini S, Tallini M, Valente G (2014) The Cochlid Columns in Rome: ambient vibration surveys. In: Mazzolani FM, Altay G (eds), PROHITECH’14 (proc. 2nd int. conf. on protection of historical constructions, Antalya, 7–9 May), 501–506, Boğaziçi University Publishing, Istanbul, ISBN 978-975-518-361-9

  25. Lancaster L (1999) Building Trajan’s Column. Am J Archaeol 103(3):419–439

    Google Scholar 

  26. University of St Andrews, Trajan’s Column, http://arts.st-andrews.ac.uk/trajans-column/the-project/description-and-condition-of-trajans-column/

  27. Bongiovanni G, Buffarini G, Clemente P, Saitta F (2014), Dynamic characterization of the Trajan’s Column. In: Peña F, Chávez M (eds), Structural analysis of historical constructions (Proc. SAHC2014, Mexico City, 15–17 Oct), ISBN 04-2014-102011495500-102

  28. Clemente P, Bongiovanni G (1993) Ambient vibration effects on the colosseum. IABSE Rep Struct Preserv Archit Herit 70:107–114 (IABSE, Zurich, ISBN 3-85748-083-1)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Clemente P, Rinaldis D, Bongiovanni G (1994) Dynamic characterization of the Tempio della Minerva Medica. In: proc. 10th European conf on earth eng. (Vienna, 28 Aug.-2 Sept.), 2, 981–986, Balkema, Rotterdam

  30. Boschi E, Caserta A, Conti C, Di Bona M, Funiciello R, Malagnini L, Marra F, Martines G, Rovelli A, Salvi S (1995) Resonance of subsurface sediments: an unforeseen complication for designers of roman columns. Bull Seismol Soc Am 85:320–324

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici (SSBA) of Rome for allowing this study and are particularly grateful to Cinzia Conti, the responsible for the Trajan’s Column.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENEA, Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Bongiovanni, Giacomo Buffarini, Paolo Clemente, Dario Rinaldis & Fernando Saitta

Authors
  1. Giovanni Bongiovanni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Giacomo Buffarini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paolo Clemente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dario Rinaldis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fernando Saitta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paolo Clemente.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bongiovanni, G., Buffarini, G., Clemente, P. et al. Experimental vibration analyses of a historic tower structure. J Civil Struct Health Monit 7, 601–613 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-017-0245-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13349-017-0245-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation