Vibration-Based Procedure for the Structural Assessment of Heritage Structures

Protection and conservation of cultural and architectural heritage represent key problems worldwide and require the concurrent action of different disciplines. In addition, the increasing demand of safety requires an evolution of the process of knowledge and assessment of heritage structures under natural and exceptional loads. Refined analysis procedures taking advantage of real measurements may exploit the recent advances in technical knowledge, and in information and communication technologies. Vibration-based techniques therefore can play a relevant role in the field of preservation of cultural heritage also thanks to their little invasiveness, as already demonstrated in many engineering fields. This contribution provides an overview of the vibration-based systems along with pros and cons in cultural heritage applications.