Dynamic Properties and Seismic Response of a Museum Display Case with an Art Object

The seismic risk associated with the freestanding elements can be high, especially if they are housed within critical buildings (e.g., hospitals and nuclear plants) or have historical/cultural significance (e.g., museum objects or artifacts). In many cases, these systems exhibit a seismic response governed by rigid motion that is typically critical. In this study, an experimental testing campaign is carried out to assess the dynamic properties and seismic performance of museum objects and artifacts. Shake table tests of a typical museum display case containing a representative art object are performed. The specimen was provided by the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN), Italy. Seismic assessment of the test specimen was performed through two types of testing: dynamic identification and seismic performance assessment. The dynamic identification of the display case was carried out, and both natural frequencies and damping ratios of the specimens were evaluated by reliable and consistent methods. The seismic performance tests were conducted by the international seismic certification protocol for nonstructural elements ICC-ES AC156. Both accelerations and displacements of the display case were assessed, as well as the response of the art object was characterized. The study sheds light on the critical behavior of the tested specimen, stressing the need for further studies toward a more comprehensive assessment of freestanding museum objects and artifacts.