Deformation Monitoring in Historic Buildings: A Case Study

Abstract

Deformation monitoring in heritage buildings is an essential task for conservation and restoration studies. A vast variety of techniques can be applied assuming that a three-dimensional modelization is required: GPS (Global Positioning System) measurement, photogrammetry, laser scanning, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) interferometry, terrestrial surveying. They are reviewed for their possible application to a specific heritage building where deformation monitoring has to be performed under severe conditions regarding the lack of intervisibility and the requirement of extremely high accuracy. Finally high precision terrestrial surveying techniques, some of which may be considered as obsolete today, emerged as the most appropriate solution under the conditions. Results show significant displacements for particular points that agree with some suspected structural weaknesses. © 2011 Survey Review Ltd.