Integrated technologies for structural assessment of historic buildings: case-study in Caporciano (AQ)

Fabio Armillotta,

CASa Associati, Viale Bovio 64, 65123 Pescara.

Dante Abate, Elena Candigliota, Francesco Immordino, Samuele Pierattini

ENEA, Via Martiri di Monte Sole 4, 40129 Bologna.

Cristina Santacroce,

Self-employed Architect, structural tests consultant, Via C. Ciglia 56, 65128 Pescara.

ABSTRACT

The paper describes a multidisciplinary and integrated methodology related to material and structural elements tests, Laser Scanner surveys and Remote Sensing technology, applied to Historical Heritage. The knowledge process was aimed at defining the rehabilitation project of an historic building in Caporciano, a small old town centre damaged by the Abruzzo (Italy) earthquake occurred on April 6th, 2009.

The analyzed building is characterized by an extremely complex morphology and develops on different levels in a labyrinth of rooms which make it particularly difficult to survey with traditional methods. Therefore the laser scanning technique, which enable to obtain a complete 3D model of the entire structure, has been used.

Due to the earthquake effects the building structure had to be tested under several aspects. An extensive non-destructive and semi-destructive tests campaign has been performed, in order to obtain historical-architectural knowledge and in situ materials characterization. The main used techniques were thermograph, ground penetrating radar, endoscopy, masonry analysis, mortar penetration test.

In this case study, the satellite remote sensing technique were employed to obtain a synoptic view of the earth's surface in a different spectral bands, and UAV remote sensing, to collect data thanks to sensors mounted on carriers operating at low altitude. These analysis methodologies enabled the survey of building roofs: captured images were processed to identify any damage even on unapproachable areas.