Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics has found that a study of the Great Pyramid of Khufu could provide insights into reducing earthquake risks to modern buildings and protecting historic structures, the institute’s head Bassem Nabawy said.
The study examined geophysical and engineering aspects of the pyramid that help explain its ability to withstand earthquakes for about 4,600 years.
Its findings could help engineers better understand the relationship between the natural frequencies of buildings and the soil on which they are built, reducing the risk of resonance that can amplify vibrations during earthquakes.
The research, previously published in Scientific Reports, a journal of the Nature group, could open new avenues for future applications in engineering, geophysics, heritage protection and urban planning, Nabawy said.
He said the findings could contribute to the development of engineering solutions to control vibrations in high-rise buildings, bridges and strategic infrastructure by providing a better understanding of the interaction between structures and the ground beneath them.
Geophysical measurements could also be used when planning new cities and major projects by identifying the dynamic properties and dominant frequencies of soil before construction begins.
This could help engineers select structural designs better suited to individual sites and reduce risks associated with seismic activity.
The techniques could also be used to protect archaeological sites and historic buildings, Nabawy said, describing geophysical methods as non-destructive and environmentally friendly tools that can monitor the dynamic behavior of heritage structures without excavation or physical intervention.
The institute could apply the same methodology to other archaeological sites and pyramids, including the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and sites in Dahshur and Saqqara, with the aim of building a geophysical database to better understand the dynamic behavior of Egypt’s archaeological monuments and protect them from natural hazards.
The Khufu study demonstrates the potential of combining geophysics, engineering and archaeology, using modern scientific techniques to examine the behavior of one of the world’s oldest structures and characterize its surrounding geological environment, Nabawy said.
The research was conducted by a team led by Mohamed Nabil al-Gabry, Hisham Hussein, Assem Salama and Mohamed Salah Meqlad, in cooperation with Ayman Hamed of the Faculty of Petroleum and Mining Engineering at Suez Canal University and Japanese researcher Sakouji Yoshimura.
Nabawy said the institute has the expertise and geophysical technologies needed to study major structures and heritage sites, creating new research opportunities that could contribute to improving structural safety, protecting cultural heritage and strengthening preparedness for seismic hazards.
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