Universität zu Köln

Elbshbeshi, Abdelhamid ORCID: 0009-0004-3616-1516, Ibraheem, Ismael M. ORCID: 0000-0001-6228-246X, Gomaa, Ahmed ORCID: 0000-0003-0130-9088, Mohamed, Abdelmonem, Othman, Amal and Ghazala, Hosni (2025). Assessing the impact of water level fluctuations on Philae Island's, Aswan, Egypt stability and seismic vulnerability using global positioning system and horizontal to vertical spectral ratio techniques. Results in Engineering, 27. pp. 1-14. Elsevier. ISSN 2590-1230

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 107026] Philae Island, a critical cultural heritage site in Egypt, faces significant engineering challenges due to dynamic hydrological conditions from the Aswan High Dam and inherent seismic activity. This study presents an integrated engineering approach utilizing Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring and microtremor measurements to quantify elevation changes and assess the seismic vulnerability of the island's temple structures. Our GPS analysis (2021–2023) reveals a novel time-delayed inverse correlation between water level fluctuations and island elevation, demonstrating gradual subsidence during high water periods and uplift during low water loads. This highlights complex hydro-mechanical interactions critical for structural stability. Furthermore, Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) analysis across 16 stations identified fundamental frequencies (Fo: 0.92–1.22 Hz) and peak H/V amplitudes (Ao: up to 13.5), delineating zones susceptible to ground motion amplification. The derived Seismic Vulnerability Index (Kg: 4–193) quantitatively identifies areas of elevated seismic risk. Compared to previous heritage monitoring studies, our integrated GPS-HVSR method not only captures both hydrological and seismic influences in a single framework but also reveals sub-daily deformation patterns previously undocumented, offering up to 25–30 % higher temporal resolution than conventional seasonal scale surveys. These engineering insights underscore the necessity of continuous geophysical monitoring and site-specific analysis for effective risk mitigation. The findings provide a robust framework for an integrated heritage risk management strategy, combining advanced geodetic and geophysical techniques with precise leveling, satellite imagery, and 3D laser scanning, thereby ensuring the long-term structural resilience and safeguarding of the Philae Temple against from future seismic threats.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Elbshbeshi, Abdelhamid UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3616-1516 UNSPECIFIED Ibraheem, Ismael M. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6228-246X UNSPECIFIED Gomaa, Ahmed UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0130-9088 UNSPECIFIED Mohamed, Abdelmonem UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Othman, Amal UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ghazala, Hosni UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-810043
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107026
Journal or Publication Title:	Results in Engineering
Volume:	27
Page Range:	pp. 1-14
Number of Pages:	14
Date:	September 2025
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2590-1230
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Geosciences > Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology
Subjects:	Earth sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Philae temples ; Global positioning system (GPS) ; Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio ; (HVSR) Microtremor measurements ; Risk assessment ; Vulnerability index English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81004