Multidisciplinary Approach for the Analysis of Structural Heritage at Risk: The Case Study of Stylite Tower at Umm ar-Rasas (Jordan)

A critical structural analysis of the Byzantine Stylite Tower at Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a), Jordan, reveals a dangerous leaning towards the northwest, posing immediate risks to its stability. The study, combining aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning data from 2016 and 2019, identified potential out-of-plane mechanisms involving the upper cell walls and tower facades, suggesting urgent conservation measures are needed. This multidisciplinary approach, integrating historical investigations with advanced 3D modeling, provides unprecedented insights into the tower's structural vulnerability, highlighting a previously unrecognized risk scenario.

Pierdicca, R., Intrigila, C., Piccinini, F., Malinverni, E. S., Giannetti, I., & Caruso, G. (2021). Multidisciplinary Approach for the Analysis of Structural Heritage at Risk: The Case Study of Stylite Tower at Umm ar-Rasas (Jordan). International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 17(5), 745–769. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2021.1966554