Pizza Seminar “From Stone to Sensor – Structural Health Monitoring at the Acropolis of Athens”

On 7 January 2026, DECivil hosted a Pizza Seminar titled “From Stone to Sensor: Structural Health Monitoring at the Acropolis of Athens”, delivered by Dr. Elena Kapogianni.

Dr. Kapogianni is a Civil Engineer from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), with a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering and extensive international research experience. Her work focuses on the preservation of Cultural Heritage, combining geotechnical and structural approaches with advanced monitoring technologies.

The seminar explored how Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) can support the preservation of culturally significant sites, using the Acropolis of Athens as a case study. Particular attention was given to the implementation of a monitoring system on the Acropolis Circuit Wall using optical fibre sensors, capable of continuously measuring structural response to environmental and seismic loads.

The presentation highlighted the importance of non-invasive sensing technologies, such as Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, for detecting early signs of structural changes, as well as the challenges associated with data management and sensor installation in sensitive historic structures.

The session brought together members of the DECivil and CERIS communities, who attended the seminar and reflected on the challenges of preserving cultural heritage structures, as well as on the role of advanced monitoring technologies in supporting informed decision-making and long-term conservation strategies.

We would like to warmly thank Dr. Elena Kapogianni for the insightful seminar, as well as all participants for their presence and engagement.