Issue 74

N. Meddour et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 74 (2025) 227-261; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.74.16

and detachment [8]. Monitoring of structural stability was carried out through the measurement of micro-cracks in external walls and patio gallery columns. Additionally, a laser scanning survey was employed to generate a high-resolution geometric model of the fort’s façades, supporting both documentation and deformation analysis. The methodological framework adopted in this study enables a comprehensive understanding of the material characteristics and degradation patterns of the Tamentfoust fort, offering a scientific basis for the development of targeted, effective, and sustainable conservation measures. The novelty of this research lies in its pioneering investigation of the Tamentfoust fort, marking the first study to comprehensively characterize the physical and mechanical properties of its natural stone materials in a coastal environment, a critical endeavor given the monument’s significant historical and architectural value. This originality is further enhanced by the combined use of destructive and non-destructive testing techniques tailored to this specific material, integrated with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology, which provides comprehensive graphical documentation previously unavailable [9] . This multidisciplinary approach offers an optimized and rapid method for the characterization of heritage stone in engineering applications, setting a new standard for the preservation and study of similar historical structures .

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(e) (f) Figure 1 : (a) external view (b, c) terrace (d) internal courtyard (e) aerial view (f) geographical location

H ISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF TAMENTFOUST CITY

amentfoust, a key site for historical and architectural research, embodies a rich cultural evolution reflected in its changing names. Known as Rusguniae during Roman times, a name derived from the Phoenician "Rus"(meaning a bushy promontory) [10], it became Tamentfoust, meaning "hand" in the Tamazight language, during the Berber Ottoman period. By the 14th century, Spanish influence renamed it Cap Matifou, and later, French colonial rule designated it Laperouse. Located 20 km east of Algiers along the eastern shore of the Bay of Algiers (Fig. 1), the city of Tamentfoust’s defensive significance is evidenced by a network of fortifications, including Fort L’Empreur on the west coast of the bay of Algiers, and the Ottoman-era fort of Tamentfoust on the eastern side of the same bay [11]. Historical T

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