Assunta Pelliccio

Application of robots for inspection and restoration of historical sites

In this paper a study of feasibility is presented for using robots or robotic systems in novel applications concerning with activities related to analysis and restoration of historical sites of architectonic interest. The work has been developed within a collaboration between DART and LARM Laboratories, of University of Cassino. Design requirements and peculiarities of operation of robotic systems are analyzed for the application in restoration of historical sites. The proposed application is completely novel and of great interest.

The Heritage Management and Preservation Using the Mechatronic Survey

ABSTRACT The management and preservation of heritage assets are important issues for their sustainability and further maintenance. Classical approaches mainly rely on human activities that are time consuming with high costs. In addition, mandatory actions required, often clash with the difficulty of access to the sites, high cost, and invasiveness of investigations. Mechatronic advanced tools can be developed and efficiently used as technological solutions to address the problem. Our project’s aim is to test low-cost technologies to monitor and manage cultural heritage trying to significantly reduce the acquisition and maintenance costs and widespread their use. Main features of these systems for automatic survey can be based on ground or aerial solutions to access heritage assets. Specifically, in indoor or underground survey, information on textural data of the materials constituting the various objects and the state of decay can be investigated. In outdoor survey, digital images can be collected to create a BIM. In this contribution, basic components and use of such tools are described. Experimental tests were performed in a historical small town in Valcomino by using a ground robotic system, an outdoor relief of the historical city center Borgo San Rocco located in Sora was used to build a BIM.

Mechatronics in the Process of Cultural Heritage and Civil Infrastructure Management

Automatized survey, construction, inspection, maintenance, restoration and reconstruction have become challenging activities conducted during the process of cultural heritage and civil infrastructure management, due to the revolutionary impact of mechatronics and information technology in routine operations. The complete process is summarized, considering different aspects related to the interconnection between classical engineering and architectural problems with the emerging technologies related to automation, robotics and information communication technologies (ICT). The impact of new technologies on data acquisition for survey, inspection and monitoring is, firstly, considered, drawing upon evidence of how the use of robotized systems and sensor networks determines new sets of available data to be processed by digital tools to build advanced models. The integration among different information and numerical models permits one to test the novelties related to the use of ICT technologies for creating an exhaustive description of the examined facility. Data and models can be then used to identify and to describe defects and degradation, especially in view of determining possible performance reduction in existing structures. All the acquired knowledge opportunely managed constitutes the input for automated or partially automated decision-making process useful in facilities and infrastructure management.