Numerical and experimental dynamic studies on historical masonry structures

This paper presents the results of the numerical and experimental dynamic analysis carried out on two historical masonry structures, the Viaduct of Vara in the marble cave in Carrara and the bell tower of St. Niccola’s church in Pisa. The first structure is a five span arch bridge built at the end of 19th century, while the second is considered a masterpiece of the Romanesque art and was built in the Middle Ages, about 1200 AD. After numerical finite element analysis experimental dynamic tests were carried out both on the bridge and the bell tower. The studies focus on the use of wavelet transform techniques for extracting modal parameters from the time-histories registered during the tests performed. The achieved results show that wavelet analysis performs better than Fourier analysis for dynamic identification of stiff and massive structures such those examined. Finally, the comparison between numerical and experimental results allows the calibration of the numerical models.