A multidisciplinary approach to assess the health state of heritage structures: the case study of the Church of Monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon

Abstract

The preservation and risk mitigation of built cultural heritage require the use of reliable tools which enable to give a better insight into the complex behaviour of these structures, by providing a correct diagnosis of their health conditions, and to identify potential vulnerabilities in order to prevent the risk of damage and to design in advance adequate retrofit solutions. The present paper describes an extensive experimental/numerical investigation campaign carried out on the Church of Monastery of Jerónimos in Lisbon in accordance with an iterative multidisciplinary approach and with the purpose of assessing the health state of one of the most prominent Portuguese monument, in light of future prevention actions. Special stress is given to the diagnostic procedure which includes and details in situ and laboratory testing, dynamic identification, continuous structural health monitoring and analysis of environmental effects on the static and dynamic behaviour of the church. The structural performance of the temple under conditions of gravity loading is analysed as well and potential collapse mechanisms are identified. The results are compared with the actual response of the temple allowing to evaluate its safety level.