Measurements of displacements of bridges under dynamic load are particularly difficult in the case of structures where access to the area under the tested structure is impossible. Then, remote measurement methods are preferred, such as interferometric radar. Interferometric radar has high accuracy when measuring displacement in the direction of its target axis. The problems appear when a bridge vibrates in two directions: horizontal (lateral or longitudinal) and vertical. The use of one radar to measure those vibrations may be impossible. This paper presents the application of a set of two interferometric radars to measure vertical vibration and horizontal longitudinal vibration with high accuracy. The method was positively verified by experimental tests on two railway bridges characterized by different levels of horizontal displacement. The accuracy of the radar measurements was tested by the direct measurement of vertical displacements using inductive gauges. In conclusion, in the case of vertical displacement measurements using one interferometric radar, the influence of horizontal displacements should be excluded. In the case of locating radars at the area of bridge supports, it is necessary to either use a set of two radars or first investigate the magnitude of possible horizontal displacements in relation to vertical displacements.

Florence (Italy) is a worldwide well-known cultural historical city, with many outstanding monumental buildings visited every year by about 20M people, since 1982 the historical city center is under the UNESCO Patronage. Conservation of monumental buildings is subject to the principles of integrity and authenticity, in Italy recalled by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage 2011 rule, which defines the procedure for their seismic vulnerability evaluation. For that, the knowledge of the masonry structure is in need, and in lack of historical documentation on the design, only non destructive tests (NDT), or very low destructive tests, can be run on the masonry for acquiring this knowledge on its structure and consistence. For this purpose, we are largely using specific ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology, which is resulting highly performing in defining masonry structure and consistence. This paper summarizes selected case histories regarding the main Florentine historical monumental buildings: Palazzo Vecchio, Brunelleschi's Cupola, Giotto's Bell-Tower, and San Giovanni Baptistery. The correct interpretation of the GPR data requires knowledge about the masonry techniques of the age of construction, and local verification with micro drill-holes with video inspections, sonic and ultrasonic tests, in defining historical monumental buildings masonry structure and competence, static and dynamic behavior parameters and seismic vulnerability.