Egypt’s Great Pyramid study offers insights for earthquake-resistant modern building- Research chief

Egypt's National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics has discovered that analyzing the Great Pyramid of Khufu can provide valuable insights for creating earthquake-resistant modern structures and safeguarding historical buildings. Head of the institute, Bassem Nabawy, explained that the study delved into the geophysical and engineering aspects of the pyramid, revealing how it has withstood earthquakes for over 4,600 years.

The findings could aid engineers in understanding the connection between a building's natural frequencies and the soil it sits on, thus minimizing the risk of resonance during seismic events. The research, published in Scientific Reports, a Nature journal, opens doors for potential applications in engineering, geophysics, heritage preservation, and urban planning.

Nabawy elaborated that the results could contribute to developing techniques for controlling vibrations in high-rise buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure by enhancing the understanding of a structure's interaction with its foundation. Geophysical assessments could also be employed when planning new cities and major projects, identifying the dynamic properties and dominant frequencies of soil prior to construction to select appropriate structural designs and mitigate seismic risks.

These methods could also prove beneficial for protecting archaeological sites and historic edifices, as they are non-destructive and environmentally friendly tools that monitor the dynamic behavior of heritage structures without excavation or physical intervention. The institute plans to apply the same methodology to other Egyptian pyramids, such as those of Khafre and Menkaure, as well as sites in Dahshur and Saqqara, aiming to build a geophysical database to better comprehend the dynamic behavior of Egypt's archaeological monuments and shield them from natural hazards.

The Khufu study exemplifies the potential of merging geophysics, engineering, and archaeology, utilizing contemporary scientific techniques to examine one of the world's oldest structures and characterize its surrounding geological context. Nabawy highlighted that the research was carried out by a team led by Mohamed Nabil al-Gabry, Hisham Hussein, Assem Salama, and Mohamed Salah Meqlad, in collaboration with Ayman Hamed from Suez Canal University's Faculty of Petroleum and Mining Engineering, and Japanese researcher Sakouji Yoshimura.

Nabawy affirmed that the institute possesses the necessary expertise and geophysical technologies to investigate major structures and heritage sites, generating new research opportunities that could enhance structural safety, protect cultural heritage, and bolster seismic preparedness.