Ambient Vibration Testing of a monumental fountain by contact and non-contact sensing techniques

Ambient Vibration Testing (AVT) and Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) are widely accepted non-invasive diagnostic tools for investigating the actual dynamic behavior of full scale structures and for extracting useful information for the optimal tuning of numerical models. However, despite many successful applications in the case of bridges and slender buildings, ambient vibration testing is still rarely carried out on historical heritage buildings, with a few documented applications on slender structures such as civic and bell towers. In this paper, the authors aim to investigate the potential of AVT and OMA when applied to unconventional heritage structures. In particular, dynamic testing and operational modal analysis of a monumental fountain, the "Fontana Maggiore", in the City of Perugia, Italy, is presented using data acquired by both contact and non-contact sensing techniques. Results also allow to comment on the most suitable sensing hardware for the considered application.