Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Three Dimensional Dynamic Analysis Of Ancient Egyptian Obelisks To Investigate Their Behavior Under Aqaba Earthquake
by Ahmed K. Abdel-Gawwad, Hala M. El-Kady and Ashraf M. Shalaby

Abstract:
Recently, Egypt is suffering from earthquakes. These earthquakes may be effect the stability of monuments. One of the essential cases of monuments stability is obelisks because the stability of obelisks comes from its own weight. Therefore, the main objective of the current research paper is to make three-dimensional surveys for the existing obelisks to determine the actual model of the obelisk in space for documenting of the current stage. The obelisks were constructed from the Red Aswani Granite. In order to determine the physical properties of the obelisks material, samples from this granite were taken and tested at the Marble and Granite Laboratory at the National Research Center in Egypt. Then, studying the stability of these obelisk's under the Aqaba earthquake and the precautions, which must be undertaken to avoid obelisk damage. In this context, three dimensional models of the three obelisks was established using prism less total station for documenting the current stage of three obelisks, namely: Ramsis II, Hatshibsut, and Tohtmos III. Then, the three obelisks were subjected to free vibrations analysis using 3D finite elements modeling. The mode shapes, the base reactions, and the normal stresses were the parameters used to evaluate the behavior of the obelisk under the Aqaba earthquake. The results showed that the surveying technique is success in full documentation of the obelisks current case. Also, the behavior of the obelisks under the Aqaba earthquake is safe

Keywords: monuments documentation - three dimensional model - three dimensional dynamic analysis - monuments stability - earthquake behavior

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