Professional Documents
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Design and Validation of Monitoring Systems and Sensors
Design and Validation of Monitoring Systems and Sensors
E u ro p ean U ni on - In d ia
E co n o m ic C ro s s C u ltu r a l P r og ram me
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................3
4 CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................28
1 INTRODUCTION
The aim of the present document is to describe the systems designed to monitor the case studies of
Monastery of Jerónimos and Mallorca Cathedral and to validate its implementation and working
condition. The present report describes the strategies, devices and systems used. The activity
includes the design and implementation of a long-term monitoring system based on the use of fixed
measurement devices placed at meaningful points of the structure, with continuous remote logging.
The monitoring systems include displacement transducers, crackmeters, tiltmeters, accelerometers
and wind, temperature and humidity transducers.
The role of the monitoring system has two main purposes. Firstly, the monitoring is intended for the
dynamic characterization of the structure of the building. In turn, the dynamic characterization will be
useful to better understand the possible resisting response in case of severe earthquakes. This
purpose is mostly attained through the devices specifically implemented to characterize the dynamic
response during the occurrence of vibrations caused by micro-tremors or other possible sources of
motion (traffic, wind), Secondly, the monitoring laid-out should be useful to assess the present
condition of the building through the characterization of active processes causing cumulative increase
of damage or deformation. Among other possible parameters, the characterization of the variation of
crack opening, displacements, separations or inclinations may contribute to this second objective.
The monitoring implemented in the two monuments has been laid out based on a set of common
methodological requirements. These requirements include the following aspects:
(1) Parallel characterization of the building from the historical, geometrical and material points of
view. This aspect required carrying out complementary studies based on available documents,
techniques for geometrical survey and non-destructive or quasi-non-destructive testing.
(2) Definition of specific monitorable targets related to the dynamic and long-term response.
Parameters (accelerations, displacements, rotation, and crack openings) and monitored points
are chosen to measure specific quantities though to be significant of the overall response of
the building.
(3) Redundant measurement. Designing the monitoring systems so that a certain phenomenon or
response (for instance, the vertical deflection of a vault or the inclination of a pier) can be
Regarding the measurement of both static and dynamic parameters, two main monitoring strategies
have been envisaged and applied as follows:
(1) Implementation of different but parallel systems for the static and the dynamic monitoring. The
static monitoring is aimed at the continuous measurement of gradually, slow-varying
parameters over a long period; the dynamic monitoring, is aimed at the intensive
measurement of sudden variations caused by isolated and short-lived actions (such as micro-
tremors or hurricanes), over a brief interval of time. Static monitoring requires the regular
measurement of small variations over lengthy periods comprising several years. In principle,
there is no need to register measurements at a very high frequency. A few measurements per
minute, or even per hour, may be enough to characterize the variations caused by daily
climatic cycles or other periodical or gradual effects. Dynamic monitoring is intended to
characterize the dynamic or seismic response of the building. Dynamic monitoring requires the
ability to capture a very dense amount of information during a very short interval. Thousands
of readings per minute (for instance, 200 readings per second) may be needed to adequately
characterize the oscillation of the structure caused by an external source of vibration, and to
later carry out the signal processing leading to the determination of significant dynamic
properties such as the shapes of the vibration modes, frequencies and damping. To avoid the
accumulation of too large amounts of data, a trigger is used to activate the dynamic acquisitor
and capture the motion of the structure at every occurrence of a micro-tremor or any other
significant vibration source above a certain threshold.
(2) The continuous capture of dynamic motion over long periods, covering several months or
even years, is also possible thanks to more recent technological developments concerning
dynamic data acquisition. Modern portable instruments, equipped with large storage capacity
(tens or hundreds of Gb), allow the capture of continuous and dense information over long
periods of time without having to set up an activating threshold. Linking the equipment to GPS
time, by means of a GPS antenna, allows the information collected to be synchronized with
seismic events registered at seismic stations. This specifically enables information related to
meaningful seismic episodes to be extracted from the entire volume of data registered over a
long period.
The specific strategies used are described in the following sections, which also include information on
the parameters measured, type of sensors and their location.
The design of the specific systems has taken into consideration the particularities of each building in
terms of geometry, materials and morphology, structural arrangements, sensitivity to the different
environmental actions and state of conservation or damage.
The monitoring systems are intended to keep on working during the period of the project and beyond.
Meaningful and conclusive results will be drawn at a more advanced stage of the project. Consistently
with the purpose of the present document, information is here provided on the design and features of
each of the systems laid-out and actually implemented. Results concerning both the static and the
dynamic monitoring are also included in order to demonstrate the systems and show their satisfactory
performance.
The static monitoring system aims at measuring deformations and temperature variations of two
columns in the main nave. The measurement system is focused in the columns structural observation,
because they are the keys of the nave’s structural behavior.
2.1.2 Devices
A wind sensor to measure the wind speed and direction and a hygrometer to measure the air moisture
in the system, with the purpose to complete the study of environmental influences in the structural
behavior of the church, will be soon added.
It was decided not to include any crackmeter because significant cracks could not be observed in the
vaults. However, it is important to proceed with and exhaustive survey to evaluate the state of
conservation/deterioration of the vaults joints due to the fall of mortar and stone pieces from the vault.
A brief visual inspection with an elevation platform is being planned to evaluate the state of
conservation of the main nave. At the end of the visual inspection, crack meters could be added to the
monitoring system, if necessary.
The sampling rate will be 1 reading per hour in order to observe the temperature variation during one
day cycle. The temperature sensors are distributed in the structure to evaluate the effect of the
temperature gradient in the response.
Four temperature sensors (TS) were installed in the North and South walls and two sensors were
installed on the top of the columns and at the nave extrados, see Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2.
The two tiltmeters (C1 and C2) were installed on the top of the columns with larger vertical out-of-
plumbness and in the extrados of the nave. The measurement orientation is the transverse direction of
the nave (y direction), see Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2.
The data logger is located inside an ambient protection box in the bell tower, see Figure 2.1 and
Figure 2.2.
TS1
TS2 C2
TS5
TS6
C1
TS3
y D
TS4 TS4
z x (a) (b)
Figure 2.1 – Static monitoring system: (a) plan of the main nave; and (b) plan of the main nave ceiling.
C2 C1
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 2.2 – Static monitoring system: (a) cross section of the main nave; (b) temperature sensor;
(c) tiltmeter sensor; and (d) data logger
2.1.4 Timing
The system was installed on June 2005 and it has been working since then.
The system is being active since installation, although a problem with the memory cash in the data
logger could not allow the data saving between the months of August and September 2005. At the
moment the problem is resolved. Figure 2.3 shows the variation of the tilts for the two instrumented
columns comparing to the temperature variation. The rotations have a maximum amplitude of 0.20
mm/m and seems that it can be related to variations in temperature.
Temperature (ºC)
25 25
Rotation
Rotation
-0.05 mm/m -0.05 mm/m
20 20
-0.10 mm/m -0.10 mm/m
15 15
-0.15 mm/m -0.15 mm/m
10 10
-0.20 mm/m 5 -0.20 mm/m 5
(a) (b)
Figure 2.3 – Preliminary results for the tilts: (a) in the north column; and (b) in the south column
Figure 2.4 presents the temperature variation of all the thermometers installed in the Church. It is
notorious that the more stable values for the sensors are inside the Church. For the sensors TS2 and
TS3, the maximum amplitude resisted was 5ºC. For all the rests, temperatures vary through
amplitudes between 10 and 35ºC. Also it is possible to observe the changing of the seasons from the
average values for the temperature from the summer to the autumn.
Termometers
40
35
TS5
30 TS6
Temperature (ºC)
25 TS1
TS2
20
TS4
15
TS3
10
0
Jun-05 Jul-05 Ago-05 Ago-05 Set-05 Out-05 Out-05 Nov-05
Date
Due to the different technical characteristics and sampling rates data acquisitions, the dynamic
monitoring system is physically separated from the static one.
Accelerations at the points monitored are continuously acquired. A threshold level (trigger) is fixed,
being based on the local conditions. When the trigger level is exceeded in one or more channels, the
acquisition system starts to record. Also, programmed measurements are taken during selected days
during the year, to evaluate de environmental conditions on the dynamic behavior of the church.
2.2.2 Devices
The system is composed by two strong motions recorders; model GSR-18 from GEOSIG; an 18 bits
AD converter analyzer. One triaxial force balance accelerometer is connected to each analyzer.
The accelerometers, model AC-63 from GEOSIG, have a bandwidth form DC to 100 Hz, a dynamic
range ±1 g and a sensitivity of 10 V/g. The two devices connected give a resolution of 8 µg. All the
events are acquired at 100 samples per second.
Two points were selected to install the sensors (see Figure 2.5): one (A1) was installed on the base of
the structure near the chancel and the other (A2) on the top of the main nave (extrados), between two
consecutive columns and in the locations with higher signal levels obtained in a preliminary dynamic
modal identification analysis.
The two recorders are connected by an enhanced interconnection network, which allows a common
trigger and time programmed records. Each recorder works independently and the data are stored
locally in every recorder. The recorder connected to sensor A1 is the master recorder and enables the
synchronization and updates the internal clock of the slave recorder, which in this case is the recorder
connected to sensor A2. If, in the future more recorders are added to the system, the same network
can be extended to the new apparatus. There is also the possibility to connect the network recorders
to a GPS for clock synchronization and to a phone modem for data transfer. This solution was not
adopted, because the amount of data information in the data files is too large for the dynamic tests
and the GPS increase significantly the costs of the system.
A2 A1
y
0m 10 m 20 m
z (a)
x
2.2.4 Timing
The first part of the Church to be dynamically tested was the main nave where output-only modal
identifications techniques were used to estimate the modal parameters: resonant frequencies, mode
shapes and damping coefficients. These techniques are based on the dynamic response
measurements of a virtual system under the natural (ambient or operational) conditions, and they are
based on the assumption that the excitations are reasonable random in time and in the physical space
of the structure. Two techniques were applied to compare the estimated dynamic parameters in order
to have more accurate results: the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) and the
Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) method. The EFDD method derives from the Frequency
Domain Decomposition (FDD) method which can be visualized as an extension of the well-known
Peak Picking method. The SSI method deals directly with time series processing (SSI-DATA, driven
stochastic subspace identification). This parametric method is robust and allows modal parameter
estimation with high precision in frequency resolution. The EFDD and the SSI method are
implemented in the software ARTeMIS Extractor that was used to process the acquired signals.
According to the results of a preliminary numeric modal analysis with a simplified three-dimensional
beam element model, see Figure 2.6, thirty points on the top of the main nave were selected to
measure the acceleration response, see Figure 2.7a. Ten points are localized on the top of the
external walls with the purpose to measure the nave boundaries constrains and also the global
dynamic response of the church. The other points are located either on the top of the columns or on
the top of the vaults keys. To assure a good selection of the reference point, preliminary signal
measurements were done and it could be concluded that point P1 was the one with more significant
signal vibration amplitudes. For every measured point, the roof tiles were removed and the signal
acquisition was done directly on the top of the nave (extrados) to avoid any possible noise signals
from the roof structure, as can be observed in Figure 2.7b.
Figure 2.6 – Aspects of the numerical model: (a) entire element mesh; (b) first mode shape at 1.37
Hz; and (c) second mode shape at 1.62 Hz
P11 P10 P9 P8 P7
P1
P29 P15 P14 P13 P12 P28
P2 P3 P4 P5 P6
(a) (b)
Figure 2.7 – Measurement points: (a) in plan location; and (b) measurement point in the nave
extrados
The numerical results show that the first expected mode shape was governed by the local effect of the
slender columns, see Figure 2.6b, c. The first expected frequency was 1.37 Hz and the first ten modes
were under the 2 Hz, but during the preliminary measurements tests the energy peaks in the spectra
could only be seen between the frequencies values from 3 to 20 Hz. Concerning this information, to
estimate that range of frequencies, each data setup was record at 200 Hz (sampling frequency) with a
duration of 10 minutes. The tests were carried out in two days (April 20 and 21, 2005) at an ambient
temperature equal to 18ºC, on average.
Table 2.1 summarizes the seven estimated mode shapes through the two experimental output-only
techniques, in terms of resonant frequencies, damping coefficients and Modal Assurance Criteria
(MAC). In what concerns the resonant frequencies, the values start from 3.7 to 15.1 Hz and no
significant differences could be found between the two methods. The same cannot be concluded for
the damping coefficients, where differences up to 140% can be observed. The MAC values are
discussed later in the text.
Figure 2.8a presents the average of the first three normalized singular values of the spectral density
matrix of the EFDD method, where the seven resonant frequencies can be identified. Figure 2.8b
presents the data driven diagram of all data setups for the SSI method. In this case, only the first
resonant frequencies are easy to find, but due to the need of a higher state dimension for the models
estimation, a huge number of stabilized poles appears, resulting in a more confuse diagram. This fact
confirms the difficulty to estimate the higher modes using this method.
(a) (b)
Figure 2.8 – Estimation diagrams: (a) EFDD method; and (b) SSI method
Figure 2.9 shows the mode shape configuration for the first two modes. As it was observed in the
preliminary numeric analysis, the dynamic response of the main nave is influenced by the dynamic
response of the slender columns. The first mode shape is not a global mode of the church, because
the nave boundaries do not suffer significant deformations as can be observed in his central part. The
mode configurations are essentially compose by components in y (north-south) and z (vertical)
directions.
(a) (b)
Figure 2.9 – Experimental mode shape results from EFDD method: (a) first mode shape at 3.7 Hz;
and (b) second mode shape at 5.1 Hz
As it was referred, Table 2.1 presents MAC values calculated for the eight mode shape vectors
obtained from two experimental techniques. The MAC criteria are the most well known procedure to
study the correlation between two sets of mode shape vectors. The results vary from 0 to 1, i.e. from a
bad to a good correlation. Observing the table values, the two first mode shapes are highly correlated
(values closed to the unit), but for the rest, the values decreases, to a minimum of 0.36. This fact is a
result of the difficulties in the estimation of the mode shapes in the SSI method, as it was previously
discussed.
Nevertheless, this modal identification seems to be acceptable if the structural complexity of the main
nave is taking into account. Even if the mode shape and damping coefficients estimation is not very
accurate for the higher modes, the resonant frequencies were accurately calculated by the two
experimental techniques for all estimated modes.
It is known that changes in element dimensions, in the boundary conditions, in the mass and the
degradation of the mechanical properties of the materials, including the damage process, or the
simultaneously occurrence of all these phenomenon affect the dynamic behavior of the structures, i.e.
changes the resonant frequencies, mode shapes and damping coefficients. If the environmental
influence (temperature, moisture, etc) is evaluated and separated from the dynamic response of the
structure, the damage occurrence can be globally detected and additional plans can be implemented
in order to detect and estimated the damage with more detail and then evaluate their consequences to
the construction.
Due to the fact that damage is, in most cases, a localized phenomenon, the experience of several
researchers allowed to conclude that damage detection requires not only to observe the resonant
frequencies changes, but also the mode shapes changes and the quantities that can be calculated
from their values, specially for the higher modes.
The actual number of sensors installed in the Church is not enough to monitor its dynamic behavior by
mode shape changes. So, during the first phase and until the first sensor upgrade, the dynamic
monitoring system will be processed by the observation of the resonant frequencies with the following
schedule:
• The master and slave recorders will be activated for low signal levels, which means that when
a micro tremor occurs in the site the dynamic response of the two points are measured;
• Every month, a record of 10 minutes is performed in the two recorders in order to detect
frequency shifts in the eigenfrequencies. This will allow to separate the influence of
environmental conditions and to compare through time the consecutive dynamic responses
before and after the occurrence of significant events;
• Seasonally, 10 minutes records in every hour and during one complete day will be performed
to observe, again, the influence of environmental conditions in the dynamic response of the
church.
The acceleration levels for the sensor A1 (on the base) was adjusted to 0.5 mg in all directions and
the sensor A2 (on the main nave) to 10 mg in x direction and 50 mg for the y and z directions. It is
stressed that the relation between the triggers of sensor A2 and A1 is about 50 in the y and z
directions in order to avoid records when the wind speed is significant.
Until October 25, 2005, 168 events were record, see Table 4.3. 16 records were used to study the
influence of the environmental effects on the dynamic behavior of the church. Table 2.2 shows the
results for the first seven natural frequencies and corresponded temperature at 14h00 for every
record. Concerning the lowest frequency, the minimum value occurred on April 26 and October 28
with a frequency value of 3.72 Hz and the maximum on August 24 with a frequency value of 3.89 Hz.
The CV varies from 0.99 to 3.08% indicating small variations for all natural frequencies. For all natural
frequencies it is clear the changes in frequencies due to the temperature variation.
Table 2.2 – Frequency changes during the months for the sensor in the main nave
Figure 2.10 helps to observe the temperature influence in the dynamic behavior of the structure for the
first natural frequency. However, a full cycle of one year is necessary to better understand this
relationship.
Frequency Changes Temperature Depending
3.92 33 3.92
3.90 3.90 y = 0.0133x + 3.4648
31
3.88 R2 = 0.9154
3.88
29
3.86 3.86
Temperature [ºC]
Frequency [Hz]
27
Frequency [Hz]
3.84 3.84
3.82 25 3.82
3.80 1st Frequency 3.80
23
3.78 Temperature 3.78
21
3.76 3.76
19 3.74
3.74
17 3.72
3.72
3.70
3.70 15
17.0 19.0 21.0 23.0 25.0 27.0 29.0 31.0 33.0
23-Apr-05 23-May-05 22-Jun-05 22-Jul-05 21-Aug-05 20-Sep-05 20-Oct-05
Temperature [ºC]
Date
Figure 2.10 – Influence of the temperature for the first natural frequency
Event Date Time Duration Type Event Date Time Duration Type
1 26-Abr-05 14:00 10:01 Pm 53 3-Jul-05 15:00 10:01 Pd
2 27-Abr-05 14:35 39 sec T 54 25-Jul-05 14:00 10:01 Pm
3 27-Abr-05 14:36 5:24 T 55 30-Jul-05 14:00 10:01 Pm
4 27-Abr-05 14:43 1:32 T 56 24-Ago-05 14:00 10:01 Pm
5 12-Mai-05 14:45 11:06 T 57 27-Ago-05 9:37 1:06 T
6 12-Mai-05 15:15 10:00 P 58 27-Ago-05 10:05 1:05 T
7 12-Mai-05 17:20 1:05 T 59 29-Ago-05 14:00 10:01 Pm
8 12-Mai-05 17:34 1:05 T 60 2-Set-05 10:53 1:05 T
9 12-Mai-05 17:43 1:05 T 61 3-Set-05 9:05 1:05 T
10 12-Mai-05 17:56 1:06 T 62 3-Set-05 9:07 1:05 T
11 26-Mai-05 14:00 10:01 Pm 63 3-Set-05 9:22 1:08 T
12 31-Mai-05 14:00 10:01 Pm 64 3-Set-05 9:24 1:06 T
13 2-Jun-05 0:00 10:01 Pd 65 3-Set-05 9:30 1:05 T
14 2-Jun-05 1:00 10:00 Pd 66 3-Set-05 9:36 1:08 T
15 2-Jun-05 2:00 10:01 Pd 67 3-Set-05 9:41 1:08 T
16 2-Jun-05 3:00 10:01 Pd 68 3-Set-05 9:42 1:08 T
17 2-Jun-05 4:00 10:01 Pd 69 3-Set-05 9:45 1:10 T
18 2-Jun-05 5:00 10:01 Pd 70 3-Set-05 9:46 1:05 T
19 2-Jun-05 6:00 10:01 Pd 71 3-Set-05 9:49 1:53 T
20 2-Jun-05 7:00 10:01 Pd 72 3-Set-05 9:59 1:06 T
21 2-Jun-05 8:00 10:01 Pd 73 3-Set-05 10:01 1:06 T
22 2-Jun-05 9:00 10:01 Pd 74 3-Set-05 10:17 1:05 T
23 2-Jun-05 10:00 10:01 Pd 75 10-Set-05 9:26 1:05 T
24 2-Jun-05 11:00 10:00 Pd 76 10-Set-05 9:34 1:06 T
25 2-Jun-05 12:00 10:00 Pd 77 10-Set-05 9:36 1:05 T
26 2-Jun-05 13:00 10:01 Pd 78 10-Set-05 10:06 1:07 T
27 2-Jun-05 14:00 10:01 Pd 79 10-Set-05 10:08 1:05 T
28 2-Jun-05 15:00 10:01 Pd 80 10-Set-05 10:11 1:05 T
29 2-Jun-05 16:00 10:01 Pd 81 10-Set-05 10:17 2:10 T
30 2-Jun-05 17:00 10:01 Pd 82 10-Set-05 10:30 1:05 T
31 2-Jun-05 18:00 10:01 Pd 83 10-Set-05 10:36 1:05 T
32 2-Jun-05 19:00 10:01 Pd 84 10-Set-05 10:51 1:05 T
33 2-Jun-05 20:00 10:01 Pd 85 11-Set-05 8:58 1:06 T
34 2-Jun-05 21:00 10:01 Pd 86 11-Set-05 8:59 1:08 T
35 2-Jun-05 22:00 10:01 Pd 87 11-Set-05 9:04 1:09 T
36 2-Jun-05 23:00 10:01 Pd 88 11-Set-05 9:07 1:05 T
37 25-Jun-05 14:00 10:01 Pm 89 11-Set-05 9:10 1:18 T
38 30-Jun-05 14:00 10:01 Pm 90 11-Set-05 10:28 1:11 T
39 3-Jul-05 0:00 10:01 Pd 91 11-Set-05 10:30 1:05 T
40 3-Jul-05 2:00 10:01 Pd 92 11-Set-05 10:33 1:07 T
41 3-Jul-05 3:00 10:00 Pd 93 11-Set-05 10:34 1:05 T
42 3-Jul-05 4:00 10:01 Pd 94 19-Set-05 9:17 1:09 T
43 3-Jul-05 5:00 10:00 Pd 95 19-Set-05 9:19 1:31 T
44 3-Jul-05 6:00 10:01 Pd 96 19-Set-05 9:21 1:05 T
45 3-Jul-05 7:00 10:00 Pd 97 19-Set-05 9:23 3:06 T
46 3-Jul-05 8:00 10:00 Pd 98 19-Set-05 9:27 1:05 T
47 3-Jul-05 9:00 10:01 Pd 99 19-Set-05 9:41 1:05 T
48 3-Jul-05 10:00 10:01 Pd 100 19-Set-05 9:43 1:32 T
49 3-Jul-05 11:00 10:01 Pd 101 21-Set-05 9:03 2:02 T
50 3-Jul-05 12:00 10:01 Pd 102 21-Set-05 11:09 4:29 T
The monitoring is laid-out to measure the following environmental and mechanical parameters:
3.1.2 Devices
Lectures are carried out by means of a data acquisitor composed of two stations IMP of
SOLARTRON-MOBREY, mod. SI 35951B connected by a high-speed data-net (red-S) to a controlling
computer. These stations or IMP’s, with 10 entry channels, carry out sampling and conversion A/D (16
bits) of the analogycal signals provided by the transductors connected to them. Once digitized, the
information acquired by each IMP is sent via data-net to the computer. The computer executes a
monitoring program developed on-purpose in LabVIEW 6.0. Continuous acquisition through all
mentioned sensors is programmed once in a second.
The sensors implemented are herein referred with their location in the building. Figures 3.1-3.5 show
some graphics and pictures describing the distribution and position of sensors.
C1 – between the springings of the 4th transverse arch of the central nave,
C3 - between the springings of the 4th transverse arch of South aisle,
C4 - between the springings of the 4th transverse arch of North aisle,
C5- between the springings of the South clerestory arch, 8th bay
C6- between the springings of the North clerestory arch, 8th bay
Tiltometers (Figs. 3.1-3.2)
R1 – at the springing of the 4th transverse arch of the central nave, South pier
R2 – at the springing from the façade of South clerestory arch, 8th bay,
Temperature and humidity (Fig. 3.3)
EC1 – 8th pier, South, at the level of the springing of high vaults
EC2 – façade, South, at the level of the springing of high vaults
Wind (Fig. 3.3)
High Vaults - Sensors F7 (A) between transverse arch and vaults, and F8 (A) in vault
C5
C3 R2
R1
C6
C4
C1 C2
C1 R1
C2
C4 C3
C5 a C6
C1
R1 R2
C2 a C4
V1
EC1 EC2
F2
F1
F3
3.1.4 Timing
The system was installed in July 2003 and has been working heretofore.
Preliminary results obtained for the long base extensometer C1, located between the springing of the
vaults of the central nave at the 4th bay from the choir, and for the extensometers F6 and F7, located
across cracks in the vaults of the central nave, are shown herein. The information shown was obtained
up to February 2005.
Fig. 3.6 shows the variation of the elongation measured by the long base extensometer C1 compared
with the variation of the temperature in the interior of the building during the mentioned period. The
elongation shows a significant variation, up to 4 mm, produced according to the temperature. This
quantity is corrected to eliminate the variation due to the metal string itself and, as a consequence, a
corrected measured separation between the points monitored can be plotted. According to the
corrected measure, the displacement experienced between the monitored points has been very small
throughout the period referred with almost no sensitivity to thermal variations. A certain trend to
produce an increasing, cumulative displacement seems to be recognizable; however, a more thorough
conclusion on general trends will require a much longer monitoring period.
Base line C1
5,50 35,00
30,00
4,50
25,00
3,50
Elongation
Separation (mm)
Temperature (ºC)
20,00
2,50 Separation
15,00
Temperature
1,50
10,00
0,50
5,00
-0,50 0,00
mar-03 jun-03 oct-03 ene-04 abr-04 ago-04 nov-04 feb-05
Date
The variation of the opening of a crack between a transverse arch and a vault of the central nave (F7
in Fig. 3.7), shows the crack experiences a significant movement, up to 1 mm, following the variation
of the temperatures. The crack, in fact a construction separation produced during the construction
itself or during the later reconstruction of the vault, seems to be acting as a expansion joint.
Conversely, crack F8, in a vault, keeps very stable with almost no significant opening variation. A
larger monitored period is needed to detect more complex trends such as irreversible or cumulative
processes.
2,0
1,6
1,2
0,8
0,4
Opening (mm)
0,0
-0,4
-0,8
F7 F8
-1,2
-1,6
-2,0
10-jul 4-sep 30-oct 25-dic 19-feb 15-abr 10-jun 5-ago 30-sep 25-nov 20-ene 17-mar
3.2.2 Devices
The system consists of a Nanometrics TAURUS 24 bit resolution dynamic acquisitor connected to two
triaxial accelerometers GMC-5T. The acquisitor’s clock is disciplined to GPS time by means of a GPS
antenna. The system, with a sensitivity of 10-6g, permits continuous acquisition at 100 sps and storage
for over 600 days. Meaningful seismic episodes are detected thanks to the information provided by the
nearer seismological station ETO 8 in Mallorca. The information corresponding to any interval
measured in GPS time can be then easily extracted from the entire amount of data.
One of the two triaxial accelerometers has been installed on top of a vault of the central nave and the
other at the base of the structure.
3.2.4 Timing
The system was installed during April 2005 and has been kept working to the present.
Initial results, providing some hints on the dynamic response of the structure, are already available.
The effect of the Northern Chile earthquake of June 13, 2005, produced measurable effects on the
building. Fig. 3.8 shows the variation of the accelerations in the time domain and the resulting spectral
distribution for two different retrieved time intervals (windows), for both the ETO 8 seismic station in
Mallorca and the accelerometer placed over one vault of the Cathedral. Note that, due to the long
distance of the epicenter, the building was mostly subjected to low-frequency oscillations. In spite of it,
the building experienced a certain excitation and its fundamental vibration mode can be clearly
distinguished in the peak corresponding to 1.68 Hz in the spectral diagrams. Both windows produced
similar results. The peak corresponding to the natural frequency of the foundation soil, of 2.0 Hz,
previously measured by means of the Nakamura technique, can be also recognized.
The accelerations referred are those produced in the longitudinal direction of the building, which are
the ones showing the largest amplitudes.
Northern Chile Earthquake 13/06/2005 ET OS station EW Northern Chile Earthquake 13/06/2005 ET OS station
record (window 1) EW record (window 2)
6,00E-06
5,00E-06
1,50E-06
4,00E-06
Acceleration (m/sec2)
3,00E-06 1,00E-06
Acceleration (m/sec2)
2,00E-06
5,00E-07
1,00E-06
0,00E+00 0,00E+00
-1,00E-06
-2,00E-06 -5,00E-07
-3,00E-06
-1,00E-06
-4,00E-06
637 687 737 787 -1,50E-06
Time (sec) 1850 1900 1950 2000
Time (sec)
(a)
Northern Chile Earthquake 13/06/2005 M allorca Northern Chile Earthquake 13/06/2005 M allorca
cathedral station EW (window 1) cathedral station EW (window 2)
2,50E-03 3,00E-03
2,00E-03
Acceleration (m/sec2)
1,50E-03 2,00E-03
Acceleration (m/sec2)
1,00E-03
5,00E-04 1,00E-03
0,00E+00
0,00E+00
-5,00E-04
-1,00E-03 -1,00E-03
-1,50E-03
-2,00E-03 -2,00E-03
-2,50E-03
-3,00E-03
637 687 737 787
1850 1900 1950 2000
Time (sec)
Time (sec)
(b)
1,00E-03 1,00E-03
1,00E-04 1,00E-04
Fourier Amplitude
Fourier Amplitude
1,00E-05
1,00E-05
1,00E-06
1,00E-06
1,00E-07
1,00E-07
1,00E-08
1,00E-08
1,00E-02 1,00E-01 1,00E+00 1,00E+01 1,00E+02
1,00E-02 1,00E-01 1,00E+00 1,00E+01 1,00E+02
Frequency (Hz )
Frequency (Hz)
Mallorca cathedral station ETOS station
Mallorca cathedral station ETOS station
(c)
T ransfer Function (window 1) T ransfer Function (window 2)
1,00E+08
1,00E+04
1,00E+07
1,00E+06
1,00E+03
1,00E+05
Amplitude
Amplitude
1,00E+04
1,00E+03
1,00E+02
1,00E+02
1,00E+01 1,00E+01
1,00E+00
1,00E-02 1,00E-01 1,00E+00 1,00E+01 1,00E+02
1,00E+00
Frequency (Hz)
1,00E-02 1,00E-01 1,00E+00 1,00E+01 1,00E+02
Frequency (Hz)
(d)
Figure 3.8 - Effect of a long-distance earthquake on Mallorca Cathedral: (a) accelerogram captured in
nearby seismic station and (b) at the vaults of the structure; (c) corresponding spectral diagrams and
(d) transference functions. Left and right: windows corresponding to 2 different time intervals
4 CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring systems, oriented to the identification of both static and dynamic features of the structural
response, have been designed and actually implemented in Jerónimos Monastery and Mallorca
Cathedral. Each monitoring system is designed based on similar criteria and requirements and it is
similarly oriented to contribute to the assessment of the seismic response of the construction.
However, each system has been, in turn, specifically designed taking into consideration the
peculiarities of each building in terms of geometry, morphology, structural organization, local seismicity
and state of conservation.
The dynamic systems were implemented during the second semester of 2005 and have been active
since them. In Mallorca the static systems has been active since the beginning of the project. In
Jerónimos Monastery similar parameters, concerning both the environmental actions and the
structural response, are recorded using, in turn, similar devices and sensors (tiltmeters, displacement
sensors, accelerometers). The dynamic systems allow the continuous acquisition of accelerations at
the points monitored. However, the systems implemented differ in the strategy used for the
acquisition. In the case of Jerónimos Monastery, located in an important seismic place, a threshold
level (trigger) is fixed, based on the local conditions, to activate the system; when the trigger level is
exceeded in one or more channels, the acquisition system starts to record; also, programmed
measurements are taken during selected days during the year, to evaluate de environmental
conditions on the dynamic behavior of the church. In the case of Mallorca Cathedral, located in a low
seismic area, constant and continuous recording by means of an acquisitor with high-storage capacity
is used. Linking the equipment to GPS time, by means of a GPS antenna, allows the information
collected to be synchronized with seismic events registered at seismic stations. Information related to
meaningful seismic episodes is thus retrieved from the entire volume of data.
In the case of Jerónimos Monastery, a particular attention has been given to the study of the variation
of the dynamic properties with the climatic (in particular, temperature) conditions. The purpose is to
evaluate the environmental influence (temperature, moisture, etc) and separate it from the dynamic
response of the structure. This, in turn, should permit the global detection of damage occurrence.
Additional plans can be implemented in order to detect and estimated the damage with more detail
and then evaluate their consequences to the construction.
A survey by visual inspection and non-destructive techniques, previous or parallel to the implementation
of the monitoring systems, has been carried out. Information on damage, internal morphology and
material properties is essential in order to accurately interpret the outcome of the monitoring campaigns.
Although both the static and dynamic systems are already producing results, obtaining final
conclusions will only be possible after a longer monitoring period encompassing at least one entire
year. This period is needed to characterize the climatic actions. A longer period is also convenient to
gather information related to significant seismic occurrences. The systems are working satisfactorily
and should provide information useful for the seismic characterization of the buildings within the
duration of the project.