Monitoring of historical masonry structures with operational modal analysis: Two case studies

Abstract

Two monuments in Portugal are being monitoring by the University of Minho: the Clock Tower of Mogadouro and the Church of Jerónimos Monastery, in Lisbon. Vibration sensors and temperature and relative air humidity sensors are installed in the two monuments. Operational modal analysis is being used to estimate the modal parameters, followed by statistical analysis to evaluate the environmental effects on the dynamic response. The aim is to explore damage assessment in masonry structures at an early stage by vibration signatures as a part of a heath monitoring process to preserve the historical constructions. The paper presents all the preceding dynamic analysis steps before the monitoring task, which includes the installation of the monitoring system, the system identification and subsequent FE model updating analysis, the automatic modal identification and the investigation of the influence of the environment on the identified modal parameters.