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GPR results: a) georadar profile performed in the arena; b) georadar profile performed in the internal ambulatory; c) georadar profile performed in the external ambulatory. The shaded bar indicates the phase contrast, that is the positive and negative amplitudes of the signal reflection in respect to the average value.
Source publication
A geophysical survey was performed at the Roman Amphitheatre of Catania with the aim to study the lithological features of the foundation subsoil of the Amphitheatre and to identify possible underground voids, buried crypts and other heterogeneities. The survey consisted of a number of georadar prospections and of three mechanical drillings. In add...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... acquired data were filtered and analyzed through the software RADAN 3.0 of Geophysical Survey Systems [9], which has a high rejection capability to interferences. Fig. 4 illustrates the GPR output along the arena and the ambulatories. The color shades indicate the phase contrast, that is the positive and negative amplitudes of the signal reflection with respect to the ...
Context 2
... GPR profile inside the arena shows a fair signal penetration and reflections characterized by a mild dielectric contrast. The interpretation suggests the presence of a frac- tured lava layer, covered by only a few centimetres of shallow material (Fig. ...
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... picture in the internal ambulatory is not clear. The reason is probably a strong signal attenuation due to high subsoil humidity. However, the presence of a thicker shallow layer overlying lavas can be hypothesized (about 1.2e1.5 m), (Fig. 4b). It should also be noted that this profile was blurred not only by a strong signal attenuation but also to spurious external reflections (vaults, walls) which the screening of the aerials could not ...
Citations
... By recording environmental noise in the three components of ground motion, it is indeed possible to define the resonance frequency and site effects [15]. This investigation technique has already been used in many scientific articles to characterize the subsoil of historical buildings [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. ...
Resonance frequencies of a masonry bell tower were estimated by means of ambient noise measurements and compared with those computed by using fixed base, Winkler, and FE numerical, including subsoil. Given the geological complexity that characterizes the subsurface of the analyzed area, despite the presence of massive volcanic outcrops near the bell tower, we carried out a geophysical characterization of the subsoil by using active and passive seismic surveys. These surveys have identified a soft substrate underneath the construction; for this reason, the dynamic identification of the tower was performed, including the interaction with the soil. The Citation: Imposa, S.; Cuomo, M.; Contrafatto, L.; Mineo, S.; Grassi, S.; Li Rosi, D.; Barbano, M.S.; Morreale, G.; Galasso, M.; Pappalardo, G. Engineering Geological and Geophysical Studies Supporting Finite Element Analysis of Historical Buildings after Dynamic Identification. Geosciences 2023, 13, 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/ geosciences13030084 Academic Editors: Chien-Chih Chen and Jesus Martinez-Frias Received: 7 February 2023 Revised: 1 March 2023 Accepted: 9 March 2023 Published: 13 March 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). resonance frequencies of the masonry bell tower computed by the models are very similar to those obtained using ambient noise. Results suggest that building resonance frequencies, estimated by ambient noise surveys, can be used because of their reliability especially when quick analyses are required at historical buildings located in seismically active areas needing plan actions to reduce their vulnerability. Moreover, such analyses, being performed on samplings acquired within the structure, allow for estimating its dynamic response, taking into account the effect of subsurface characteristics as well.
... By recording environmental noise in the three components of ground motion, it is indeed possible to define the resonance frequency and site effects [15]. This investigation technique has already been used in many scientific articles to characterize the subsoil of historical buildings [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. ...
Resonance frequencies of a masonry bell tower were estimated by means of ambient noise measurements and compared with those computed by using fixed base, Winkler, and FE numerical, including subsoil. Given the geological complexity that characterizes the subsurface of the analyzed area, despite the presence of massive volcanic outcrops near the bell tower, we carried out a geophysical characterization of the subsoil by using active and passive seismic surveys. These surveys have identified a soft substrate underneath the construction; for this reason, the dynamic identification of the tower was performed, including the interaction with the soil. The resonance frequencies of the masonry bell tower computed by the models are very similar to those obtained using ambient noise. Results suggest that building resonance frequencies, estimated by ambient noise surveys, can be used because of their reliability especially when quick analyses are required at historical buildings located in seismically active areas needing plan actions to reduce their vulnerability. Moreover, such analyses, being performed on samplings acquired within the structure, allow for estimating its dynamic response, taking into account the effect of subsurface characteristics as well.
... In this paper, ambient vibrations (i.e., wind, traffic, human activities) are used to determine the soil-structure interaction of three different vulnerable buildings by computing the modal frequencies of the structures. This method, used worldwide, is highly efficient for cultural heritage, as it is non-invasive, rapid, relatively easy to implement, and inexpensive, as demonstrated in [19][20][21][22]. Furthermore, one-dimensional (1D) site response modelling was used to validate the results and to define probable seismic scenarios. ...
This study aimed to evaluate the soil–structure interaction of three historical buildings at the University of Catania using ambient noise. The results point out the different oscillation modes of Villa Cerami and Palazzo Boscarino buildings sharing a side. They also show different damping values, which are probably linked to the different rigidities of the structures, since one is a masonry building and the other is a reinforced concrete building without earthquake-resistant design.
Villa Zingali Tetto, a reinforced concrete building without earthquake-resistant design, showed significant torsional effects, which may be related to the geometrical and material irregularities of the
structure. Comparison of the buildings’ fundamental periods and site frequencies did not show potential soil–structure resonance effects. Modelling of the local seismic response confirms the obtained
experimental site frequencies, suggesting that there are no important amplification factors.
On the other hand, from both of the computed Spectral and Peak Ground Accelerations for an Mw 7.3 earthquake, intensity values were estimated for which Villa Cerami could suffer heavy structural
damage, and Palazzo Boscarino and Villa Zingali Tetto very heavy non-structural damage. Additional engineering investigations, aimed at reducing seismic vulnerability, are necessary to improve the safety of these heritage buildings considering they are also used for educational purposes.
... Given the magnificence of the eruption, it is important to consider that this report represents the first geophysical study performed at Misterbianco site 350 years after the eruption, and that provides important information on the ancient San Nicola church. Moreover, a few well-documented cases of geophysical investigations on cultural heritage buried by lava flows have been reported so far by Castellaro et al. (2008), consequently this work can be considered as a pioneer investigation, opening important prospects on future geophysical investigations not only in Misterbianco but also in other Etnean areas that had experienced similar destructions in the past. Starting from these considerations, we tried to reconstruct the site history by performing a GPR survey devoted to the identification of planimetric development of the church. ...
In 1669 the most destructive eruption on Etna volcano was recorded since historical times (about 700 BCE), whose lava flow destroyed completely the ancient town of Misterbianco, located on the southern slope of Mount Etna. San Nicola church is one of the three churches that historically were covered by lava flow. In the 1980s, some works for the construction of a parking lot allowed to discover an ancient wall belonging to the church. Some georadar prospections were carried out in the investigated area finalized to reconstruct the planimetric development of the ancient church and to direct future excavation works.
... Georadar prospections and three mechanical drillings were carried out in 2008 in a Roman Amphitheatre of Catania, Sicily, Italy, by Castellaro et al., where they studied the lithological features of the foundation subsoil of the Amphitheatre and identified possible underground voids, buried crypts and other heterogeneities. In addition, they used a passive seismic method, which allows to retrieve information on subsoil stratigraphy and on possible seismic site effects [4]. In 2016, Leucci et al., carried out a case study that involves a geophysical survey employing the surface three-dimensional (3D) GPR techniques, to characterize the ancient Messapian Necropolis in Lecce, south Italy, characterized by different types of graves (pits dug in the bedrock or built with slabs, sarcophagi and hypogea) that lay also inside the settlement surrounded by city walls [5]. ...
... Applications of the HVSR method have also been extended to detecting landslip surfaces (Pazzi et al., 2017); mapping of paleo-surfaces (Abu Bignardi et al., 2017); and delineation of tunnels buried at 30 m depth of Zoser pyramid, Egypt (Kalil et al., 2016). Also, it has been successfully applied to determine the subsurface lithology of an amphitheater to identifying possible underground voids, buried crypts, and other heterogeneities (Castellaro et al., 2008). In adopting the HVSR method for subsurface utility mapping, the underlying hypothesis is that the subsurface utilities possess a higher velocity compared to that of the soil. ...
In this study, experiments were conducted to explore the potential of utilizing the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio
HVSR technique for detecting subsurface utilities. The hypothesis behind the adoption of this technique is that the
presence of utility may produce impedance contrast that will affect the shape of the HVSR curve. Synthetic modeling and experiments revealed that the effect would be an extra spectral peak at the high-frequency end of the curve. The tests also aim towards the detection of the depth to the utility. An empirical formula was used to determine the depth, using the frequency of the additional peak and the shear wave velocity obtained from the Multichannel Analysis of Surface waves MASW measurements. Single-station and multi-receiver recordings were conducted at some localities at the Universiti Sains Malaysia main campus at Penang Island, northwest peninsular Malaysia. Areas of known subsurface utilities and the utility map, as provided by the development department of the university, were utilized to validate the results. The results obtained confirm the validity of the hypothesis, and a comparison of the obtained depths and locations of the utility shows an acceptable agreement.
... Os métodos geofísicos mais populares para investigar edifícios, monumentos históricos ou objetivos patrimoniais, tais como esculturas, gravuras, painéis de pedras ou obras de arte, são a tomografia sísmica 2D e 3D, radar de penetração no solo, tomografia elétrica, tomografia ultrassónica e termografia [15]. Outros métodos, como a microgravimetria [16], sísmica passiva [17] e ressonância magnética nuclear [18], também têm sido considerados. ...
... Atualmente, as técnicas GPR são uma metodologia bem conhecida e devidamente documentada na bibliografia [16][17][18][19][20]. Por isso, o presente trabalho não abordará os princípios teóricos básicos do funcionamento do GPR. ...
The characterization of the Monastery of Batalha included the use of the geophysical method of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a non-destructive and indirect method that provides high-resolution 2D/3D images of the structures to investigate. Owing to the nature and aims of the survey, appropriate measurement grids, acquisition parameters and adapted data processing techniques were used. The GPR survey provided important information about the Monastery foundations, construction and conservation. GPR high-resolution images allowed to locate recent and ancient infrastructures, columns foundations and structures of historical-archaeological interest. The characterization of the Monastery walls was also carried out using GPR on the surface of walls of the Cloister of D. João I and of the Church. These results contribute for the proposal of an inner structure model of the walls. GPR proved to be an efficient and expeditious method that allowed obtaining information to be used in the preservation, recovery and rehabilitation of the Monument.
... These applications range from forensics, to civil infrastructure monitoring, to unexploded ordnance and geological resource mapping. Its use in the archaeological prospection arsenal is well documented, from forensic studies of Viking Age graves [17] to mapping Roman sites in urban contexts [18]. Similar to this work, GPR has been used to detect previous construction phases and crypts while mapping humid areas in cathedrals [19,20]. ...
Corvin Castle, located in Hunedoara County (Transylvania), is an important Romanian cultural site. Originally, a fort constructed in the 14th century, it was first converted into a castle by Ioan de Hunedoara in the 15th century, frequently changing owners (with significant construction in the 15th and 17th centuries) until it was abandoned in the mid-19th century. After undergoing various ill-fated reconstruction efforts in the late 19th century, the castle reopened in the 1950s when the Romanian government renewed its interest in cultural sites and undertook a series of sparsely-documented archaeological investigations and conservation projects. Presently, restoration efforts require renewed investigation of Corvin Castle’s construction and history. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a promising tool for investigating the construction phases of heritage structures like Corvin Castle, where invasive methods are inappropriate and extensive historical modification has left incomplete records. In 2017, a comprehensive GPR survey of the castle was conducted. The survey recognizes features mentioned in texts, discovers previously unknown constructions, locates areas of moisture ingress around the courtyard, and identifies the extent and composition of the building foundations. Information gained from these scans, especially combined with printed sources, is an asset in planning restoration efforts and understanding the effects of past modifications.
... Non-invasive monitoring of the cultural heritage is an important tool for its safeguard making possible, with acceptable uncertainty limits, to obtain information on the internal conformation of the investigated structures and on the subsoil that interacts with them. These methods turn out to be useful to identify hidden targets located beneath flooring as for example possible buried voids such us tombs or crypts [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. ...
Geophysical surveys are useful tools to characterize the buildings making up the cultural heritage and to monitor the subsoil features on which they are constructed. The information obtained is necessary for planning future restoration work. The aim of this study is to characterize the dynamic features of both the San Michele Arcangelo Church and of the area where it is located. Non-invasive geophysical surveys, including electromagnetic and seismic surveys, were performed to acquire this information. Such techniques enabled us to highlight the seismic wave velocity distribution in the subsoil, and the presence of electromagnetic reflectors probably linked to the existence of remains belonging to the old edifice. The comparison and integration of different methods allowed us to validate the results. Moreover, ambient seismic noise measurements were carried out outside and inside the church to obtain information on the site resonance frequency and to assess the vibration frequencies of the church. The results do not point out any site amplifications in the vibration frequency range of the church. It is therefore unlikely that soil-to-structure resonance phenomena can take place.
... As outlined by Guéguen et al. (2007), the method is used mainly for three different scientific purposes, namely the evaluation of resonance frequency as correlated to earthquake damage, the investigation of resonance variation over large areas for microzonation and seismic-risk mitigation purposes, and finally the evaluation of sedimentary cover thickness or equivalently, bedrock depth. Applications span a wide variety of scientific disciplines, such as geology (Mantovani et al., 2018), seismology and microzonation studies (Scherbaum et al., 2003;Gallipoli et al., 2004a;D'Amico et al., 2008;Mantovani et al., 2015;Paolucci et al., 2015), engineering (Shiono et al., 1979;Mucciarelli and Gallipoli, 2001;Gallipoli et al., 2004b;Gallipoli et al., 2018) and even archaeology (Obradovic et al., 2015;Castellaro et al., 2008;Wilken et al., 2015;Abu Zeid et al., 2016, 2017a2017b;Bignardi et al., 2017). A comprehensive description of the concepts and evolution of this technique can be found in (Bard, 1998;Mucciarelli and Gallipoli, 2001;SESAME Project, 2004, 2005Picozzi et al., 2005; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2018.07.006 ...
The investigation of seismic ambient noise (microtremor) in spectral ratio form, known as the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio technique, is extremely popular nowadays both to investigate large areas in a reduced amount of time, and to leverage a wider choice of low cost equipment. In general, measurements at multiple locations are collected to generate multiple, individual spectral ratio curves. Recently, however, there has been an increasing interest in spatially correlating informative content from different locations. Accordingly, we introduce a new computer program, “OpenHVSR – Processing Toolkit”, developed in Matlab (R2015b), specifically engineered to enhance data processing with the purpose of spatially correlating different forms of informative data content, creation of maps, and display of the results in 2D and 3D. The interface is designed to be user friendly while tightly binding processing and visualization so that the effects of different processing choices can be immediately evaluated. Further, bedrock mapping capability, as introduced by Ibs-von Seht and Wohlenberg (1999) is included both through the computation of bedrock depth via a set of published regressions or by computing a customized regression based on the data at hand. The program aims at implementing the most effective and desirable processing tools present in other commercial and non-commercial alternatives, all in one bundle, freely available to the scientific community. In addition to incorporating and enhancing currently available state of the art tools, we have integrated several original features that are not present in any other program. The presented processing toolkit naturally integrates with our data inversion software, “OpenHVSR”, published in 2016. Together, they constitute a complete workflow for the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio method. We expect this first version to be of great use to researchers and hope it will constitute the basis for further collaborative development toward future releases oriented at exploring the potentials of this technique.
