geomatics for structural assessment and surface diagnostic of ch

Abstract The capacity to rapidly acquire large quantities of spatial data, to geo-reference information on them, to obtain detailed models that allow more and more accurate analyses and simulations, place Geoinformatics at the center of attention in many research areas. Among these, the use of these techniques for the study of existing structures is particularly interesting. Assessing the current stability of a building, monitoring the evolution over time of a failure, preventing the potential causes of damage, simulating the behavior of a building under seismic actions, are just some of the ways in which the geometric properties of a structure, acquired with the most up-to-date automated surveying systems, are used to help validate structural integrity analyse

Digital workflow for the acquisition and elaboration of 3D data in a monumental complex: the fortress of Saint John the Baptist in Florence

In recent years, the GeCo Laboratory has undertaken numerous projects to digitalize vast and complex buildings; the specific nature of the different projects has resulted in a case-by-case approach, each time working on past experiences and updating not only the hardware and software tools but also the management and processing methods. This paper presents the workflow followed for the survey of the Fortress of Saint John the Baptist in Florence, an on-going interdisciplinary project. Presently Florence’s main trade fair congress centre, at the same time it hosts various buildings that bear witness to the fortress’s life-history, combining constructions from the Medici and Lorraine eras with recently built exhibition facilities. Now new research has been required due to the realization of new pavilions and the regeneration of the whole complex. This has included a critical survey, material testing, diagnostic investigations and stratigraphic analyses to define the building’s state of preservation. The working group comprises specialists from different institutions, amongst which the Italian Military Geographic Institute, the University of Florence, the National Research Council Institute for the Preservation and Enhancement of the Cultural Heritage, and the Florence City Council

The florence baptistery: 3-D Survey as a knowledge tool for historical and structural investigations

The Baptistery of San Giovanni is one of the most important pieces of architecture in Florence. It is an octagonal building, encrusted with marble both internally and externally (including the pyramidal roof) and covered inside by a magnificent dome with sparkling gold mosaics. During Dante’s time, it appeared much older than the other monuments, so its origins were considered as hailing straight from Florence’s most remote and mythical history. Even though we have much more data now, scholars still disagree over the interpretations on the origin and construction sequence of the monument. Survey has always been considered a main instrument for understanding historical architecture, mostly from constructional and structural points of view. During the last century, the Baptistery was surveyed using both traditional techniques and the most up-to-date instruments available at the time, such as topography, close-range photogrammetry and laser scanning. So, a review of those early applications, even if partial or isolated, can significantly attest to the state of the art and evolution of survey techniques. During recent years, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore promoted new research and a wide range of diagnostic investigations aimed at acquiring greater knowledge of the monument in anticipation of the cleaning and restoration of the outer wall surfaces during 2015. Among this research, GeCo Lab carried out a new systematic and complete laser scanner survey of the whole Baptistery, acquiring data for the more inaccessible parts that were given little attention during other survey campaigns. First of all, the paper analyses recent contributions given by instrumental surveys in advancing knowledge of the building, with references to the cutting-edge techniques and measurement tools used at the time. Then, it describes the new survey campaign, illustrating the approach followed in the planning, data acquisition and data elaboration phases; finally, it gives examples of some interpretations of the structure stemming from the new acquisitions

3D survey of the Early-Middle Bronze Age Workshop Complex and cemetery area at Erimi-Laonin tou Porakou (Cyprus)

Kouris Valley Project is an archaeological research project held from 2007 by University of Florence and directed by Prof. A. M. Jasink, under the field direction of Dr. L. Bombardieri in the Kourion area (Limassol, Cyprus). During the 2010 field season the collaboration of GeCo (Geomatics and Communication for Cultural Heritage Laboratory, University of Florence) was requested with the aim at the laser scanner survey of Erimi-Laonin tou Porakou site area. The survey involved two areas, a workshop and a cemetery, as well as some small ceramic finds. Range maps was used for different aims: to make a full-scale replica of a tomb to exhibit at Limassol museum and for the documentation of the excavation of the workshop. This one is a rather extreme case study: most significant artifacts are shallow carvings into bedrock and could be confused with natural elements. In this case the aim was to get automatic and accurate drawings comparable with traditional ones. The paper reviews the expressive potential of drawings done using different techniques and softwares, each one with its assets and restrictions

HIGH-QUALITY 3D MODELS AND THEIR USE IN A CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION PROJECT

Cultural heritage digitization and 3D modelling processes are mainly based on laser scanning and digital photogrammetry techniques to produce complete, detailed and photorealistic three-dimensional surveys: geometric as well as chromatic aspects, in turn testimony of materials, work techniques, state of preservation, etc., are documented using digitization processes. The paper explores the topic of 3D documentation for conservation purposes; it analyses how geomatics contributes in different steps of a restoration process and it presents an overview of different uses of 3D models for the conservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage. The paper reports on the project to digitize the earthenware frieze of the Ospedale del Ceppo in Pistoia (Italy) for 3D documentation, restoration work support, and digital and physical reconstruction and integration purposes. The intent to design an exhibition area suggests new ways to take advantage of 3D data originally acquired for documentation and scientific purposes

"I Fregi del Ceppo”: cuando la inteligencia artificial y la geomática se encuentran en el teatro

Highlights: The reuse of 3D reality-based digital data in theatre productions supports the cross-valorisation of cultural activities. The frieze of the Ospedale del Ceppo: from digital documentation for preservation to scenic design and performance. The integration of digital technologies, avatars and artificial intelligence in contemporary theatre scenography. Abstract: The integration of three-dimensional (3D) digital technologies into cultural heritage and theatre is transforming how historical works are preserved and experienced. This paper focuses on the performance I Fregi del Ceppo, which exemplifies this trend by using 3D data to bring the Renaissance friezes of the Ospedale del Ceppo in Pistoia, Italy, to life. Originally digitised for conservation, the friezes served as the foundation for a theatrical production. The project used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to analyse and animate the frieze characters’ postures and relationships. The performance incorporated a 180º multi projection system that synchronised human actors with digital projections, merging live performance with digital heritage. This work highlights the broader trend of integrating AI and digital tools into theatre. Body scans, motion tracking, and emotion recognition enable new storytelling methods, while virtual characters and avatars allow performers to explore identity and interaction in novel ways. The fusion of AI with performance art is pushing the boundaries of creativity, generating dialogues, analysing performances, and enabling real-time interaction with human actors. I Fregi del Ceppo demonstrates how digital heritage can enhance theatre, extending the life of historical works and offering new cultural experiences. It also points to a future where AI and 3D technologies will play an increasingly central role in shaping the performing arts. La integración de tecnologías digitales tridimensionales (3D) en el patrimonio cultural y el teatro está transformando la forma en que se preservan y experimentan las obras históricas. Este artículo se centra en la representación I Fregi del Ceppo, que ejemplifica esta tendencia al utilizar datos en 3D para dar vida a los frisos renacentistas del Ospedale del Ceppo en Pistoia, Italia. Originalmente digitalizados para su conservación, los frisos sirvieron como base para una producción teatral. El proyecto utilizó herramientas de inteligencia artificial (IA) para analizar y animar las posturas y relaciones de los personajes de los frisos. La representación incorporó un sistema de multiproyección de 180º que sincronizaba a los actores humanos con las proyecciones digitales, fusionando la actuación en vivo con el patrimonio digital. Este trabajo destaca la tendencia más amplia de integrar la IA y las herramientas digitales en el teatro. Los escaneados corporales, el seguimiento de movimientos y el reconocimiento de emociones permiten nuevos métodos de narración, mientras que los personajes virtuales y avatares permiten a los actores explorar la identidad y la interacción de maneras novedosas. La fusión de la IA con el arte escénico está ampliando los límites de la creatividad, generando diálogos, analizando actuaciones y permitiendo la interacción en tiempo real con actores humanos. I Fregi del Ceppo demuestra cómo el patrimonio digital puede enriquecer el teatro, extendiendo la vida de obras históricas y ofreciendo nuevas experiencias culturales. También señala un futuro en el que la IA y las tecnologías 3D jugarán un papel cada vez más central en la configuración de las artes escénicas

Laser scanning and modelling of barely visible features: the survey of the Grotto of the Animals at the Villa of Castello (Florence)

The deep fusion of natural and artificial elements typical of Italian Renaissance gardens is particularly evident in the park of Villa di Castello and in the Grotto of the Animals, also called Grotto of the Flood. The soil slope is the essential element of a huge underlying hydraulic machine and it is the result of extensive earthworks which led to the construction of the big retaining wall limiting the grotto and the adjacent fountains. Hence, this grotto represents only the visible part of a mechanism running all around it. It is formed by a single chamber vaulted and covered with sponge-like stones, as well as decorations made of pebbles and shells. The space is divided into three wings, with big marble basins at their end. Over them there are reliefs of animals made of different stones and marbles. Animals recur also in the compositions of fish and shellfish decorating the side basins and in the bronze birds currently kept in the Museo del Bargello. The name “Grotto of the Flood” comes from the water feature that characterised this place: visitors were surprised by tens of jets hidden among the stones in the vault and in the floor. To obtain this effect, the whole grotto is surrounded by multi-storey tunnels, hiding the hydraulic system and people activating the mechanisms. Research agreements were drawn up between the Special Superintendence for the Historical, Artistic and Ethnoanthropological Heritage, the Florence museums group and the GeCO Lab, for the realization of the survey presented in this paper. The task of the GeCO Lab was thus identifying the best solutions to check the spatial relations between the grotto and the area above, as well as the geometric and functional connections between the building and the ancient hydraulic system, composed by pipes and nozzles concealed between the stones. Besides, the overall survey was intended as a documentation of the on-going restoration work

San Carlo dei Barnabiti: restoration and reinforcement of the roofing of a florentine baroque masterpiece

The church of San Carlo dei Barnabiti houses one of the most important examples of Baroque illusionistic painting in Florence. Given the level of deterioration of the vault, the preliminary investigations required a 3D survey of the current geometry to detect the mainly damaged areas. A point cloud obtained by laser scanning is employed to investigate the deformations and the state of conservation of the vault. The acquired data also revealed some unknown aspects concerning the construction of the structure and its pictorial decoration useful to design the restoration project

Monitoring and Computation of the Volumes of Stockpiles of Bulk Material by Means of UAV Photogrammetric Surveying

The monitoring and metric assessment of piles of natural or man-made materials plays a fundamental role in the production and management processes of multiple activities. Over time, the monitoring techniques have undergone an evolution linked to the progress of measure and data processing techniques; starting from classic topography to global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies up to the current survey systems like laser scanner and close-range photogrammetry. Last-generation 3D data management software allow for the processing of increasingly truer high-resolution 3D models. This study shows the results of a test for the monitoring and computing of stockpile volumes of material coming from the differentiated waste collection inserted in the recycling chain, performed by means of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric survey and the generation of 3D models starting from point clouds. The test was carried out with two UAV flight sessions, with vertical and oblique camera configurations, and using a terrestrial laser scanner for measuring the ground control points and as ground truth for testing the two survey configurations. The computations of the volumes were carried out using two software and comparisons were made both with reference to the different survey configurations and to the computation software