MONITORINCA

The Cusco region in Peru, which is the cradle of Inca civilization (fifteenth–sixteenth centuries) and Andean Baroque (seventeenth–eighteenth centuries), has an exceptional density of archaeological and historical buildings. Because of their centuries-old history and the diversity of materials and construction techniques used, the dynamic behavior and structural integrity of these complex engineering systems remain difficult to understand. Non-invasive, “passive” seismic methods, such as the analysis of ambient vibrations, have demonstrated their relevance for characterizing the dynamic response of structures and historic monuments.

While Operational Modal Analysis using short-term instrumentation is booming today, long-term monitoring of the behavior of structures, that requires heavier logistical and scientific investment, is still not widespread, particularly in the Andes. In the Cusco region, a large network of active faults represents a threat to the population and its heritage (earthquakes occurred in 1650 and 1950). In addition, greatly changing weather conditions and rapid urbanization of the region are threatening the resilience of the structures. It is therefore essential to estimate over the long term the impact of these various factors (seismic, environmental and human) on the response of historical buildings and to evaluate the diversity of processes at work.

Continuing the postdoctoral research of A. Combey (IRD-Géoazur) and the long-term instrumentation of the first two buildings in Cusco, the project aims to broaden the spectrum of the approach to other historical buildings (Incas and colonial) and to offer logistical, scientific and financial guarantees for the sustainability of this long-term monitoring system.

Using an interdisciplinary approach that brings together geophysicists, architects, civil engineers and data scientists, the data collected should lead to a better assessment of the processes of damage and aging of structures and improve numerical simulations in the event of strong earthquakes.