Monitoring of historical buildings: Project of a dynamic monitoring system for the world´s largest elliptical dome

The Basilica “Regina Montis Regalis” at Vicoforte is a monument of great historical and architectural significance, owing its fame to its big masonry elliptical dome, the largest of this shape the world over. The dome-drum system has suffered over the years from significant structural problems, due to its bold structural configuration and to progressive soil settlements. In 1983, concerns over the severe settlement and cracking phenomena affecting the structure prompted the decision to undertake inspection, monitoring, and strengthening interventions. A static monitoring system was thus set up to measure strains and stresses in the structure, crack propagation, as well as stresses in the reinforcing bars. In recent years, a thorough renovation of the monitoring system was carried out in the frame of a new and updated program of investigation and research. This program also led to the definition of the project for a new seismic and dynamic monitoring system, which constitutes the object of the present paper.