Abstract
Terrestrial laser-scanning (TLS) is well suited to surveying the geometry of monumental complexes, often realised with highly irregular materials and forms. This paper addresses various issues related to the acquisition of point clouds via TLS and their elaboration aimed at developing structural models of masonry vaults. This structural system, which exists in numerous artifacts and historical buildings, has the advantages of good static and functional behaviour, reduced weight, good requisites of insulation, and aesthetic quality. Specifically, using TLS, we create a geometric model of the ancient masonry church, S. Maria della Libera, in Aquino, largely characterised by naves featuring cross vaults and previously used as a case study in the paper entitled ‘Terrestrial laser-scanning point-clouds for modeling masonry vaults’, presented at the 2019 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. The results of the TLS survey are used as input for a structural analysis based on the thrust network analysis. This recent methodology is used for modelling masonry vaults as a discrete network of forces in equilibrium with gravitational loads. It is demonstrated that the proposed approach is both effective and robust in terms of assessing not only the safety conditions of existing masonry vaults, the actual geometry of which significantly influences the safety level, but also to design new ones.
Highlights
We present a review on the integration of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point clouds acquired via the most frequently employed survey techniques, as well as an innovative method for studying historical masonry vaults
The geometric and geo-referenced 3D model obtained by processing the laser-scanning measurements presented a model built on a coherent geometric basis, which considers the methodological complexities of the detected object (Figure 14 and Figure 15)
The paper demonstrated how the interdisciplinarity between a geometric model, built with the innovative techniques typical of the geomatic-type survey, and a structural model, can represent a useful support to the structural verification of the safety and conservation of complex structures, such as those typically pertaining to the field of monumental heritage
Summary
We present a review on the integration of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) point clouds acquired via the most frequently employed survey techniques, as well as an innovative method for studying historical masonry vaults. Historical structures may have experienced (and continue to experience) various phenomena of a very different nature, including gravity forces, earthquakes, and environmental effects (thermal effects, chemical or physical attack), as well as various anthropogenic actions such as architectural alterations, intentional destruction, and inadequate restorations. Many of these actions need to be characterised in terms of time, with some cyclic and repetitive (accumulating significant effects in the long term), others developing gradually over extremely long periods of time, and others still associated with long return periods.
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