Exploiting Outdoor-Induced Vibrations at Castello Normanno-Svevo Aci Castello

This paper investigates the vibrations at Castello Normanno-Svevo Aci Castello in Catania, Italy. The study is conducted within the context of examining vibration levels and frequency distribution in environments of historical and artistic significance. The objectives focus on two key aspects related to cultural heritage: measuring mechanical vibrations for the preventive conservation of artifacts and structures of historical and artistic interest and exploring the potential use of such kinetic energy to power autonomous systems. This paper specifically focuses on a preliminary study of the outdoor environment. Based on the vibrational analysis, the successive aim is to develop optimized MEMS and generate transducers tailored to the specific context and area of interest. The analysis concentrated on time-domain signals along the X, Y, and Z axes, with an in-depth examination of the Z axis using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Power Spectral Density (PSD). The results revealed consistent vibration patterns across all three axes, with the vertical axis (Z) being more significantly influenced by outdoor-induced vibrations, primarily caused by sea movements and wind. The findings illustrate the vibration levels at this location and the relevant spectral distribution for future applications in designing optimized electromechanical converters, energy harvesting systems, and autonomous measurement nodes suitable for operation in this environment.