Structural monitoring of the Monastery of Jerónimos
Conference Paper
Overview
Overview
abstract
The paper details two monitoring systems implemented in the main nave of Santa Maria of Belém Church of the
Monastery of Jerónimos, in Lisbon. The monitoring systems were installed to better understand the static and
dynamic behavior of the structure, aiming at the damage detection and the improvement of seismic resistance of the
monument. Preliminary investigations, numerical non-linear analyses and the first dynamic modal identification
analyses are described in the paper. Also the preliminary works for the monitoring systems are presented, including
the points selected for observation, discussion of the sensors technical characteristics, as well as preliminary
inspection and diagnosis. The first results of the dynamic monitoring system are shown and the future developments
on the systems are presented, aiming at a full integration of all the adopted techniques.
INTRODUCTION
Architectural heritage is a key issue to modern societies due
to both cultural and economical aspects. Besides the historical
aspect, tourism and leisure will be a major industry in the 3rd
millennium and the existence of a monument or a monumental
compound is often a key attraction of cities and countries.
In the process of preservation of ancient masonry structures,
damage evaluation and monitoring procedures are particularly
attractive, due to the modern context of minimum repair and
observational methods, with iterative and step-by-step
approaches. High-priority issues related to damage assessment
and monitoring are global non-contact inspection techniques,
improved sensor technology, data management, diagnostics
(decision making and simulation), improved global dynamic
(modal) analysis, self-diagnosing / self-healing materials and
improved prediction of early degradation.
The present paper aims at several of the referred issues and
is focused in the structural observation of a Portuguese
monument: the Santa Maria of Belém Church of the Monastery
of Jerónimos, in Lisbon. In the main nave of the church two
monitoring structural systems were recently installed in order to
understand the static and dynamic structural behaviour with the
purpose of damage detection and the improvement of seismic
resistance of the monument. Preliminary investigations,
numerical non-linear analysis and the first dynamic modal
identification analysis are described. Also the preliminary works
for the monitoring systems are presented, including the selected
points for observation, the discussion of the technical
characteristics of the sensors, as well as preliminary inspection
and diagnosis. The first results of the dynamic monitoring
system are shown and the future developments on the two
systems are presented.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT
The Monastery of Jerónimos is, probably, the crown asset of
Portuguese architectural heritage dating from the 16th century.
The monumental compound has considerable dimensions in
plan, more than 300×50 m2, and an average height of 20 m
(50 m in the towers). The monastery evolves around two courts.
The construction resisted well to the earthquake of November 1,
1755. Later, in December 1756, a new earthquake caused the
collapse of one column of the church that supported the vaults
of the nave, which resulted in the partial ruin of the nave. In this
occasion also the vault of the high choir
