Shake-table test assessment of a base-isolation device for the seismic protection of the Goddess of Morgantina statue

Monuments and museums contents in the Mediterranean area have revealed a poor dynamic behavior and suffered large damages during past severe seismic events. Their protection deserved great research efforts due to their inestimable values and high cultural significance. From an analytic point of view, art and museum objects, statues and displays are generally modeled as rigid blocks and have been extensively studied in the non-linear dynamic context. On the other hand, only limited experimental researches have been carried out. Base isolation devices have proven to be highly effective in control the dynamic behavior of for statue-like items. This work presents an analytical and experimental study for the dynamical characterization of a bidirectional base-isolation device. The ability of the device in reducing the dynamic response of statue-like objects has been investigated by means of full-scale shaking table tests carried out at L.E.D.A. Research Institute at the “Kore” University of Enna. Experimental results are then used to calibrate an analytical model of the device. The Goddess of Morgantina statue has been selected as case study due to its significance and since it is equipped with a base-isolating device in its present placement.