Non-destructive testing on historical monuments

Abstract

Historic monuments are more than just old buildings or architectural importance. They are a symbol of our cultural indentity and in continuity a part of our heritage, and as such it is generally accepted that they should be maintained for so long as possible and without materially altering the fabric of special architectural features. Therefore the maintenance and care of these buildings must be long term planned and viewed over time span running into hundreds of years. Monuments require quality control within real time and on large number of measured places, and these requirements may be satisfied only by the controlling methods without destruction. The development of electronics and other scientific disciplines lead in the last decade to the appearance and improvement of a number of methods enabling direct testing of materials inbuilt in structures. The inspections should diagnose the causes and propose an effective cure that involves the minimum of intervention. Such inspections have three main aims: the first is to spot defects which require immediate attention; the second is to record the condition of elements in order to plan maintenance works or alter existing plans; and the third is to monitor the effectiveness of repair and maintenance work. The measurements are frequently applied in order to determine particular physical mechanical properties, or as defectoscopy methods for materials and constructions.