Evaluation of Long-Term Stability of Mogao Grottoes Caves under Enhanced Loading Conditions of Tourists

Tourist foot traffic has negligible long-term impact on the structural stability of Mogao Grottoes caves, despite causing localized stress concentrations and minor vertical displacements. A finite-difference analysis revealed that while tourist loads induce stress in cave roofs and densely occupied areas, their effect on overall displacement is minimal—though distribution patterns matter: side-by-side crowding increases floor/roof deformation more than dispersed arrangements. These findings provide critical guidance for visitor management and preventive conservation strategies at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Chen, W., Guo, Z., Zhang, J., He, F., Zhang, L., Guo, Q., & Pei, Q. (2018). Evaluation of Long-Term Stability of Mogao Grottoes Caves under Enhanced Loading Conditions of Tourists. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 32(4). https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)cf.1943-5509.0001190