FEM-based models of real-time dynamic structural behavior in archaeology and monumental heritage: the case of ancient Greek colonnades

The preservation of cultural heritage buildings and infrastructures requires a multidisciplinary approach to provide a real-time knowledge of their dynamical structural behavior. For this task, an interesting and effective procedure can be based on the development of tailored dynamic models, optimized through an iterative synergic process, leaded by data provided by an adaptive and modular distributed monitoring system. A Finite Element Model (FEM) is a valid solution: it is not only an effective reference dynamical model, but it can also be used to define the potential technical requirements of the sensors (e.g., typology, sensitivity, band and number). We have applied this idea to the case of an ancient Greek colonnade, building a FEM, validated through published experimental measures. The obtained results prove that this model, behind its traditional use to describe the dynamic structural behaviour of a monument, can serve as a the basis of a tool, especially during the iterative optimization process, to define the technical characteristics of distributed structural monitoring systems.