Vibration protection of cultural heritage objects

This chapter is dedicated to present some methods for vibration protection of statues and cultural heritage objects against earthquakes and ambient vibrations. The chapter opens with short explanation about the dynamic performance test that has been done on a full-scale copy of the famous statue of Michelangelo Buonarroti Pieta Rondanini and its isolation system. Based on the results of the tests, a multidegree-of-freedom model is developed. This updated model is used to verify the proposed vibration control strategies. To reduce the level of vibration transmitted to the statue, combination of inerter with TMD (TMDI) is proposed. Optimal parameters of the passive device are found by using numerical methods. Furthermore, a scaled isolation system is designed and manufactured according to the test results of the full-scale structure. To improve the performance of the isolator, a designed and manufactured ball-screw type inerter is introduced to the scaled structure. The effectiveness of the manufactured inerter on the dynamic behavior of the isolation system is demonstrated by using dynamic performance tests on a shaking table. The results provide some numerical and experimental results considering inerter-based methods in order to vibration protection of statues and cultural heritage.