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Analysis of institutional authors

Avila, FernandoCorresponding Author

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August 6, 2025
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Preventive Preservation of Rammed Earth Historical Heritage Through Continuous Monitoring, Architectural Inspections, and Data Fusion

Publicated to: Buildings. 14 (10): 3294- - 2024-01-01 14(10), DOI: 10.3390/buildings14103294

Authors:

Puertas, Esther; Ávila, Fernando; García-Macías, Enrique; Gallego, Rafael
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Affiliations

Univ Granada, Dept Struct Mech & Hydraul Engn, E-18001 Granada, Spain - Author

Abstract

Rammed earth construction, an ancient and sustainable building technique, faces significant preservation challenges, particularly in historical contexts. This study aims to enhance the preventive preservation of rammed earth historical heritage through a comprehensive methodology combining continuous monitoring, architectural inspections, and data fusion. By integrating nondestructive testing techniques such as ultrasound, thermography, and ground-penetrating radar with operational modal analysis and modeling, the proposed approach allows for early detection and assessment of structural vulnerabilities. This methodology was applied to the Tower of Muhammad in the Alhambra of Granada, Spain, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying and quantifying damage and predicting structural health. Using multi-source data (documentation, inspections, nondestructive tests, and continuous monitoring), a finite element model was built, calibrated (achieving an avg. error in modal frequencies of 1.28% and a minimum modal assurance criterion value of 0.94), and used to develop a surrogate model able to predict the modal properties of the tower in 0.02 s, becoming compatible with continuous system identification. The presented results highlight the importance of continuous data acquisition and advanced diagnostic tools for safeguarding rammed earth structures against environmental and anthropogenic threats. This study advocates for the adoption of digital twins in historical preservation, facilitating informed decision-making and sustainable management of cultural heritage.
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Keywords

data fusionArchitectural heritageContinuous monitoringData fusionModelNondestructive evaluationNondestructive testingPerformanceRammed earthStructural vulnerabilitStructural vulnerabilityWall

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Buildings due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Architecture. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-03:

  • WoS: 2
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-03:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 28 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Ávila Cruces, Fernando José.

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    Awards linked to the item

    This research is part of the project "Evaluacion de la Vulnerabilidad Estructural de Patrimonio Construido en Tapia - VulTapia" (Evaluation of the Structural Vulnerability of Heritage Built in Rammed Earth), grant number C-ING-134-UGR23, funded by Consejeria de Universidad, Investigacion e Innovacion and by ERDF Andalusia Program 2021-2027.
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