Aquisgrani terrae motus factus est (part 1): The Aachen cathedral (Germany) built on weak ground?
Tomás Manuel Fernández-Steeger|Christoph Grützner|Klaus Reicherter|Andreas Schaub
Charlemagne (Charles the Great) placed centre of his kingdom during Carolingian times in Aachen, Germany (Aquisgrana). This medieval period and regency are associated with a extensive constructions including part Aachen cathedral. The cathedral was first building to join UNESCO World Heritage list. foundations construction ground were excavated recent archaeological geotechnical investigations. is founded on pillars piles Devonian blue limestone shale, covered by Pleistocene loess sediments. Remains Roman buildings, such as thermae, situated below this connected up 5 m deep foundation walls 2.4 thick. Even though information about site important for assessment structural health remediation measures, it often rare old historical buildings. Documentations from time concentrate progress financial aspects. Detailed descriptions techniques usually not preserved. relevance earthquake related damages effects construction. Investigations course measures or surveys fill gap. They provide insights ancient can be used identifying phenomena site. Furthermore, direct insight into potential seismic response shaking becomes possible. In case cathedral, typical investigation methods drilling laboratory tests applied together GPR measurements evaluate seismological effects.
Quaternary International