Dynamic Identification of Gopurams in South Indian Temples Using Operational Modal Analysis
摘要
The gopuram is a sculpturally adorned entrance gateway in South Indian temples from the Dravidian era, characterized by a truncated pyramidal slender geometry. A typical gopuram has a rectangular base, with the floor area progressively decreasing in the upper tiers. In South India, gopurams are typically constructed with 5, 7, 9, 11, or 13 tiers. The state of Tamil Nadu in South India has over 9000 temples that are at least 100 years old, each with multiple gopurams located at the four cardinal directions, often arranged in concentric layers around the main shrines. The vast number of structures in this typology and with their grandeur, necessitate a detailed study of their structural behavior, particularly for adopting appropriate conservation measures. The heights of these masonry towers typically range from 20 to 60 m. Characterizing the dynamic response of these structures is a crucial step in understanding their behavior under wind and earthquake effects, and under traffic vibrations. The current study involves dynamic identification of these historic structures based on operational modal analysis from ambient vibration tests conducted on a set of gopurams varying in geometry. The selected gopurams exhibit variability in terms of the number of stories, height, and plan dimensions. Based on the outcomes of the experiment, correlation between geometrical parameters and natural period of these truncated pyramidal masonry structures are examined and compared with similar studies on dynamic behavior of brick and stone masonry towers around the world.