The applications of laser technology in the field of Rock Mechanics are at a stage of
development that allow a reliable use for the reliefs of the mesostructure and for the
morphological reconstruction of monuments in place of traditional techniques such as, for
example, photogrammetry. The most recent research suggests that the laser may also allow
assessment of characteristics such as roughness, which is known to affect the shear strength
of discontinuities. Assessing the ratio between the energy of the reflected ray and the one
emitted by the instrument, called "reflectivity (I)", it seems possible, also get information on
the status of surface discontinuities or areas of historic monuments.
This note presents results of research about relationship between the index (I) and the
hammer Schmidt rebound r both on stone surfaces and on historical artifacts characterized
by different levels of alteration
