Structural health monitoring of the natural bridge Puene del Inca, Mendoza, Argentina

LANNUTTI, E; LENZANO, MARÍA GABRIELA; BARON, JORGE; LENZANO, LUIS

Frascatti-Rome

Congreso; ADVANCES IN REMOTE SENSING FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE: FROM SITE DETECTION, TO DOCUMENTATION AND RISK MONITORING; 2015

ESA - ESRIN

Puente del Inca is a natural bridge located at 32° 49′ 34″ S, 69° 54′ 41″ W, Mendoza, Argentina. Its shape forms a natural arch that stands upon the Cuevas river, in the Central Andes. In the present, it is considered a Protected Natural Area and is part of the QhapaqÑan Andean Roadway System, recently designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Puente del Inca is not only a rigid geological structure integrated by hot mineral spring waters, but rather a ?Systems Geobiology? related to biological, physical and chemical processes. The balance between erosion factors and the natural formation process establishes the current morphology of the structure. Although Puente del Inca undergoes natural processes of regression, it was not until human intervention that was severely impacted. In light of studies conducted on the structure, it becomes necessary to monitor and assess this delicate balance for the bridge?s integrity not to be modified.With the goal of contributing to Puente del Inca?s restoration and conservation, the structures? behavior and evolution were studied through SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) techniques. These nondestructive methods include: a) the structures? FEM (Finite Element Method) model through material testing and measurements 3D Laser Scanning; b) Measure bridge surface velocities (N, E, U) and displacements building a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) network; c) GPR (Ground- penetrating radar) techniques to analyze the internal structure; d) Estimate modal parameters using output-only responses measure with seismometers and System Identification software.