Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental and analytical evaluation of the consolidation of tower 8 in the Damascus citadel

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The object of this work is a building situated in the ancient citadel of Damascus: tower 8 which has been affected by devastating earthquakes and subjected to a consolidation process thanks to the Syrian–Italian Cooperation Project. The aim of this research is to investigate the dynamic characteristics of this consolidated structure. Hence, a mixed procedure of experimental measurements and analytical analysis has been chosen. Considering the geotectonic environment and the historical importance, ambient noise measurements are preferred as being a non-destructive technique and the most suitable for the study purpose. The dynamic characteristics of tower 8 are analyzed experimentally and analytically on the basis of ambient noise measurements, which have been performed on the ground and floors of the tower. With spectral analysis of ambient noise records, the predominant frequencies, amplification factors, and damping ratios have been determined. The experimental and analytical results have allowed verifying the efficiency of the consolidation interventions in tower 8.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdul-Wahed MK (2015) SigProce: a computer program for signal processing, evaluation of seismic response in sites and buildings, and other engineering purposes, Damascus university journal for the basic. sciences 31(1)

  • Abdul-Wahed MK, Hassan A, Al-khdour E (2014) Ambient noise measurements in Damascus citadel, Internal rapport, Geology department, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS), Syria

  • Abdul-Wahed MK (2013) Evaluation of the buildings seismic response—case study, 8th Gulf Seismic Forum 2013, Muscat - Oman. 3–6

  • Abdul-Wahed MK (2012) The focal mechanism of recent largest seismic events in Syria, the 7th Gulf Seismic forum, Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 22–25

  • Abdul-Wahed MK, Asfahani J, Al-Tahan I (2011) A combined methodology of multiplet and composite focal mechanism techniques for the identification of the seismological active zones in Syria, Acta. Geophysica 59(5):967–992. doi:10.2478/s11600-011-0024-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdul-Wahed MK, Al-Tahan I (2010) Preliminary outlining of the seismological active zones in Syria. Ann Geophys 53(4):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdul-Wahed MK (2008) Preparation of a computer program for signal processing, evaluation of seismic response in sites and buildings, and other engineering purposes, Fifth Gulf Seismic Forum, Sana’a, Yemen

  • Oth A, Picozzi M (2012) Structural Health Monitoring Using Wireless Technologies: An Ambient Vibration Test on the Adolphe Bridge, Luxembourg City, Advances in Civil Engineering, vol. 2012, (876174), pages. 17 doi:10.1155/2012/876174

  • Adorni E, Ottoni F, Coisson E, Blasi C (2009) Ancient citadel of Damascus, Syria: Analysis, Diagnosis and Monitoring for Conservation and Structural Consolidation, in Proceedings of The international conference The conservation of cultural heritage National Library and Archives Press, Cairo, 18–21

  • Adorni E, Giampiero V (2010) Mortars and stones of the Damascus citadel (Syria), international journal of. Archit Herit 4:4. doi:10.1080/15583050903121851

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambraseys NN, Barazangi M (1989) The 1759 earthquake in the Bekaa Valley: implications for earthquake hazard assessment in the eastern Mediterranean region. J Geophys Res 94:4007–4013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ambraseys N (2009) Earthquakes in the Mediterranean and Middle East: a multidisciplinary study of seismicity up to 1900, Cambridge University Press

  • Asfahani J, Abdul-Wahed MK (2012) Evaluation of Earthquake Activity Along the Serghaya Fault, Syria, from Instrumental Seismic Data, accepted for publication in Acta Geophysica

  • Carobbi M, Coisson E, Ottoni F, Blasi C (2010) The ancient citadel of Damascus (Syria) and the hidden water: from historical and environmental analysis to structural consolidation, in Proceedings of “Monument Damage hazards and rehabilitation technologies”, 8th International Symposium on the Conservation of Monuments in Mediterranean Basin, 31 May- 2 June, Patras, Grece

  • Chevedden P (1986) The Citadel of Damascus، Ann Arbor: U.M.I. Dissertation Information Servic, OCLC 640193186

  • Dunand F, Bard PY, Chatelin JL, Guéguen P, Vassail T, Farsi MN (2002) Damping and frequency from randomec method applied to in-situ measurements of ambient vibrations: Evidence for effective soil structure interaction, 12th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering, London, Paper 869

  • Dusi A, Manzoni E, Marcellini A, Tento A, Daminelli R, Mezzi M (2007) Seismic assessment of structures by ambient vibrations: an application to a medieval tower, In 8th Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering (8PCEE), Singapore

  • Guidoboni E, Comastri A (2005) Catalogue of earthquakes and tsunamis in the Mediterranean area from the 11th to the fifteenth century, Rome, Italy: National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology

  • Karatzetzou A, Negulescu C, Manakou M, François B, Seyedi DM, Pitilakis D, Pitilakis K (2014) Ambient vibration measurements on monuments in the Medieval City of Rhodes, Greece, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, pp. 1

  • Khair K, Karakaisis GF, Papadimitriou EE (2000) Seismic zonation of the Dead Sea transform fault area. Ann Geofis 43:61–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y (1989) A method for dynamic characteristics estimation of subsurface using microtremor on the ground surface. Quaterly Report Railway Tech Res Inst 30(1):25–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y, Gurler ED, Saita J (1999) Dynamic characteristics of leaning tower of Pisa using microtremor-preliminary results. Proceedings of 25th JSCE Earthquake Engineering Symposium 2:921–924

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y (2000) Clear identification of fundamental idea of Nakamura’s technique and its applications. Proceedings of 12th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, New Zealand, 2000

  • Nakamura Y, Gurler ED, Saita J, Rovelli A, Donati S (2000) Vulnerability investigation of Roman Colosseum using microtremor. Proceedings of 12th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, New Zealand, 2000

  • Ottoni F, Coisson E, Alejji E, Blasi C (2008) Ancient citadel of Damascus, Syria: Analysis, Diagnosis and Monitoring for Conservation and Structural Consolidation, in Responsabilities & Opportunities in Architectural Conservation: Theory, Education and Practice, a cura di Elwazani, S., Malhis, S., Al-Qawasmi, J., Atti del convegno internazionale v International Conference of the Centre of Study in Arab Region (3–5 Novembre 2008, Amman. Jordan), CSAAR Press, Amman, Jordan, 2008

  • Ottoni F, Coisson E, Carobbi M, Blasi C (2010) Authenticity issue in Islamic countries restoration interventions: critical analysis of three examples from Bosnia, Egypt and Syria, in Proceedings of First International Conference on Architectural Heritage in the Islamic States, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 23–28

  • Sato T, Nakamura Y, Saita J (2008) The change of the dynamic characteristics using microtremor, The 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, October 12–17, 2008, Beijing, China

  • Wechsler N, Rockwell TK, Klinger Y, Štěpančíková P, Kanari M, Marco S, Agnon A (2014) A Paleoseismic Record of Earthquakes for the Dead Sea Transform Fault between the First and Seventh Centuries C.E.: Nonperiodic Behavior of a Plate Boundary

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their thanks to Prof. Ibrahim Othman, Director General of the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, for his constant support. They also wish to thank the General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities for providing some important information and data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Engineering Department - Higher Institute of Earthquake Studies & Research, University of Damascus, Damascus, Syria

    Mayada Al-kousa, Hala Tawfiq Hasan & Maissa Alarab

  2. Department of Geology, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, Damascus, Syria

    Mohamad khir Abdul-wahed

  3. DGAM, General Directorate of Museums and Antiquities, Damascus, Syria

    Idmon Al-egy

Authors
  1. Mayada Al-kousa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hala Tawfiq Hasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamad khir Abdul-wahed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maissa Alarab
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Idmon Al-egy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hala Tawfiq Hasan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Al-kousa, M., Hasan, H.T., Abdul-wahed, M. et al. Experimental and analytical evaluation of the consolidation of tower 8 in the Damascus citadel. Arab J Geosci 10, 37 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2788-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2788-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation