Long-Term Vibrational Monitoring of the Exedra of Marcus Aurelius’ Hall

In today's technology-driven era, especially within Information and Communication Technologies, a vast reserve of data is valuable for preserving cultural heritage. Integrating software, hardware, and communication technology, exemplified by the concept of "Digital Twin", offers innovative measurement acquisition and processing. Vibration tests, notably ambient vibration testing, have become a cornerstone for understanding structural health and dynamics due to their simplicity and affordability. Careful data processing reveals critical modal features like frequencies, shapes, and dampings, serving as vital indicators for assessing structural health during normal operation. For long-term monitoring, automating structural identification reduces errors, with a focus on temporal modal property variations and environmental influences. This research activity focuses on developing a framework for automated detection of the natural frequencies of the Marcus Aurelius Exedra within the Capitoline Museum of Rome, (Italy). The research aims to establish an effective and continuous structural health monitoring approach that utilizes automated techniques to track changes in dynamic characteristics over an extended period. The study includes the design of the monitoring system, data collection, and the implementation of automated frequency tracking algorithms. A continuous long-term monitoring system, composed of six triaxial MEMS non-commercial accelerometers, has been in operation since July 2023. The identification of the primary structural features within the Exedra hall is accomplished through an automated procedure that integrates advanced methodologies, including Stochastic Subspace Identification and data clustering techniques. Results demonstrate the system effectiveness in continuously assessing structural dynamics, offering a proactive approach to structural health monitoring.