Dynamic behaviour assessment of ancient columns through experimental analyses

The paper describes the results of research aimed to investigate the seismic response of the monumental structures with stone columns. Even if the dynamic behavior of a single block or a column, generally built by slender blocks, is presented and discussed in several theoretical studies, few experimental data are instead available. The paper describes an experimental study on the behaviour of blocks outlined by 1/3 slender ratio with the aim to assess the mechanical and dynamical characteristics like friction, impact restitution ratios, vibration periods and equivalent damping ratios. Statistical analyses of the results have been compared with the once obtained by theoretical formulations and validated numerical behavior have been applied to the case study of the Temple of Neptune to preliminary assess the seismic risk against overturning collapse of the columns.