Civil Engineering: Building Restoration
C Tech’s software has been used to analyze and visualize multi-sensor data to guide the restoration efforts of the fourth century Baptistery, one of the oldest churches in Florence, Italy. Dual-frequency ground penetrating radar data was processed in our legacy software EVS to determine radar dispersion. The radar dispersion was combined with resistivity surveys to volumetrically map structural integrity. The analysis and visualization was used to locate fractures and voids in the domed roof structure. This work helped minimize the need for destructive testing, to better preserve the precious original mosaic tile. The analysis and visualization were provided courtesy of Geostudi Astier, srl, Livorno Italy.
Regions with both high resistivity and high radar dispersion occur where bricks or mortar have fractures or voids. Resistivity Above 4.7 ohm-m and 900 MHZ Radar Dispersion Above 6.5.
The portion of the Baptistery that was investigated is the protruding gabled roof. It is clearly visible in the lower left corner of the picture below and to the left. The gold leaf and mosaic tile ceiling that we are striving to protect is shown to the left. The octagonal Baptistery is also shown in the lower center of the picture below and to the right. Il Duomo, Florence’s landmark church, dwarfs it.
