Non-Destructive Testing for Assessing Structural Damage and Interventions Effectiveness for Built Cultural Heritage Protection

Abstract

Non-destructive techniques - NDT are used in the field of built cultural heritage protection, as they are applied in-situ and do not require destructive sampling. Infrared thermography is used for materials/decay mapping, assesses the compatibility and effectiveness of restoration materials and interventions, and reveals moisture transfer phenomena within structures. Ultrasonic testing assesses the residual properties of historic materials, reveals the decay layers and evaluates the effectiveness of consolidation treatments. Ground penetrating radar reveals the internal structure of masonries, identifies and locates subsurface voids, structural cracks and incontinuities. Portable imaging systems, in conjunction with digital image processing, are used for in-situ materials characterization, and for the study of the decay typologies. Data management systems correlate data from NDTs, from other methods and from seismic/environmental impact assessment analyses to evaluate the preservation state of a historic structure and to plan interventions.