Vibration-based damage identification with application to a scaled masonry arch

Remote and automated evaluation of the structural health conditions of structures may play a primary role in management and planning of appropriate maintenance interventions, avoiding downtime and expensive interventions due to significant degradation and damage progression. In order to timely detect emerging damage conditions, dynamic identification procedures and vibration-based structural health monitoring can be applied. The present paper describes the main outcomes of an experimental study aimed at assessing the relationship between controlled damage conditions and changes in dynamic properties of the structure under consideration. Tests have been carried out on a scaled replica of an ancient masonry arch, which was subjected to multiple damage scenarios characterized by increasing levels of horizontal settlements of one of the abutments. Damage detection has been carried by means of a spectrum driven damage identification method, whose capacity to support health condition diagnosis of the arch has been investigated. Despite the complex experimental process, encouraging results were obtained, demonstrating a certain ability of damage detection process to support health stated evaluations of masonry arches. Further work and more detailed analyses are needed to point out critical features of the procedure and define strategies for improving accuracy and reliability.