Integrated GPR and Laser Vibration Surveys to Preserve Prehistorical Painted Caves: Cueva Pintada Case Study (original) (raw)
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Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Florence (Italy) is a worldwide well-known cultural historical city, with many outstanding monumental buildings visited every year by about 20M people, since 1982 the historical city center is under the UNESCO Patronage. Conservation of monumental buildings is subject to the principles of integrity and authenticity, in Italy recalled by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage 2011 rule, which defines the procedure for their seismic vulnerability evaluation. For that, the knowledge of the masonry structure is in need, and in lack of historical documentation on the design, only non destructive tests (NDT), or very low destructive tests, can be run on the masonry for acquiring this knowledge on its structure and consistence. For this purpose, we are largely using specific ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology, which is resulting highly performing in defining masonry structure and consistence. This paper summarizes selected case histories regarding the main Florentine historical monumental buildings: Palazzo Vecchio, Brunelleschi's Cupola, Giotto's Bell-Tower, and San Giovanni Baptistery. The correct interpretation of the GPR data requires knowledge about the masonry techniques of the age of construction, and local verification with micro drill-holes with video inspections, sonic and ultrasonic tests, in defining historical monumental buildings masonry structure and competence, static and dynamic behavior parameters and seismic vulnerability.
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2005
An integrated geophysical survey using both the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods was undertaken over a cave of great archaeological interest in southern Italy. The survey was performed to assess the stability of the carbonate rock roof of the cave. A geophysical survey was preferred to boreholes and geotechnical tests, in order to avoid the risk of mass movements. The interpretation of integrated data from ERT and GPR resulted in an evaluation of some of the electromagnetic (EM) characteristics (such as the EM wave velocity) and the detection of discontinuities (fractures) in the carbonate rock. It is well known that rock fractures constitute a serious problem in cave maintenance, and progressive cracking within the bed rock is considered to be one of the main causes of collapse. An analysis of the back-scattered energy was also required for the GPR data interpretation. Cracks within the bedrock were detected to a depth of about 2 m by using GPR, which allowed for the identification of the loosened zone around the cave.
Oppidum. Cuadernos de Investigación 16. Ie Universidad, pp.: 121-135., 2020
During the summer of 2019, a geophysical survey was carried out in the archaeological area of Las Pizarras. The application of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), a non-invasive technique, has allowed us to detect and map anomalies related to previously unearthed and unexcavated structural remains linked to this Roman villa, located 2 km North of Coca (Segovia). This first approach to data obtained by the application of this particular auxiliary research strategy provides new and significant details regarding the arrangement of the villa, its global design and internal articulation, as well as adding to our general comprehension the character and extent of this elite residential complex.
Structural Control and Health Monitoring
Combined non-destructive techniques are applied in the study of a historical building in Barcelona. Santa Maria del Mar is a magnificent Mediterranean gothic church built between 1329 and 1383. Two of the most important characteristics of this building are the slender columns and the almost flat rooftop. This structure, used to create a visual impression of a unique space, transmits high loads to the tall columns. Previous to restoration, vaults, roofs, and columns were extensively assessed with non-destructive tests, in order to improve the knowledge of those structures. This information will be used in further simulations to analyse load distributions at each part of the structure. Ground and floor were also studied. The analysis of the columns was based on groundpenetrating radar (GPR) surveys and on seismic tomography. Finally, the dynamic behaviour of the structure was determined by seismic monitoring of the main nave and the bell tower. Results obtained at the radar survey highlight the existence of unexpected anomalies in homogeneous materials, supporting the hypothesis of an inner structure between arches and roof composed by hollow elements. Seismic tomography defined the inner geometry of the columns and detected some damage or lower quality stone in various zones. Seismic monitoring established the perfect junction between the bell tower and the main nave. GPR survey on the floor allowed detecting a large number of graves, and some images suggest the existence of large underground walls and some of the foundations of the main façade.
Case study: GPR survey at the archaeological Roman site of Ciavieja, El Ejido (Spain)
Near Surface Geophysics, 2013
This paper, describing a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey performed on the archaeological site of Ciavieja, El Ejido (Spain), is part of a series of historical studies performed in Ciavieja to analyse the extent and importance of the remains buried at this site. The objective of the GPR survey was to locate the most promising areas within the archaeological site to help design a park that combines leisure and culture. The time slices built with the radar data show several locations with linear and square anomalies with sizes compatible with those of Roman walls or rooms. The interpretation of the GPR data is corroborated with FDTD computer simulations. ing with other discoveries that part of the ancient Roman city of Murgi is buried under cerrillo de Ciavieja. The discovery of the mosaic led an archaeological investigation in 1985 to delineate the structures found and to extract the remains of the mosaic. On the eastern side of the site (square B in Fig. 2), which was the best-preserved area, a study was performed to determine the complete stratigraphic sequence of the site. According to the archaeological investigations, the prehis-Geophysical Equipment Source FOR MARINE SALES AND RENTALS www.geomatrix.co.uk Our expertise covers all aspects of marine geophysical survey from high resolution magnetic to deep crustal seismic surveys.
GPR survey to confirm the location of ancient structures under the Valencian Cathedral (Spain
Journal of Applied Geophysics, 2000
This paper describes the ground-penetrating radar GPR survey performed inside the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain. It is part of historical studies performed in the Cathedral in order to add information to old maps and documents in the Cathedral Archives and also to analyze the extent and importance of potentially destructive moisture areas that were appearing on the floor. The construction of the Cathedral of Valencia occurred in three stages, all of which are well-documented in the Cathedral Archives with detailed drawings, maps, and charts. The radar data were successful in locating crypts, ossuaries, sepulchers, and graves, and the location of ancient walls that existed before the final Cathedral expansion. Three cultural layers corresponding to the three periods of construction were also identified corresponding to the Roman, Arabian and Middle Age Epochs. Measurements of relative sub-floor moisture were obtained by comparing dielectric permittivity changes and radar velocity differences between materials in humid and non-humid areas.
2010
In this article we present some results of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) studies carried out at Lapa do Santo archaeological site. This cave is within Lagoa Santa karstic region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. In the first field work, 44 GPR profiles were acquired with 100 MHz, 200 MHz, and 400 MHz shielded antennas focusing on three mains objectives: (i) to characterize stratigraphic layer; (ii) to identify geological and archaeological anomalies, and (iii) to identify potential areas aiming at assisting archaeologists in an excavation program. GPR results indicated anomalous hyperbolic reflections, and areas with high sub-horizontal reflection amplitude suggesting archaeological and geological potential targets, respectively. These results were encouraging, and then they were used to guide excavations at this site. Excavation of test units (meter by meter) allowed identifying an anthropogenic feature, e.g., a fire hearth structure, and natural features, such as speleothems and top of bedrock. Results also indicated the importance of GPR survey as a tool for orienting archaeological researches, increasing the probability of finding archaeological interest targets in an excavation program an area of environmental protection.
This article proposes the elaboration of a dedicated database for monitoring the evolution of buried structures or anomalies of the underground layers based on data collection after periodic surveys. The use of a radar technique in establishing an efficient assessment protocol of the conservation condition of historical building foundations proves to be a useful and accessible task due to its major advantages. This non-destructive technique with fast and accurate acquisition time meets the characteristic requirements for the analysis of historic monuments. The possibility to perform periodic analyses allows the monitorization required for long-term preservation of cultural heritage. A case study is presented with a survey of the foundation of an historic building, dating from the beginning of the 20 th century and located in the "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum from Bucharest, Romania.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2010
In this work we present and discuss the results of a novel and timely GPR-2D and GPR-3D survey performed at an archaeological rock shelter site, Lapa do Santo, localized in the karstic region of Lagoa Santa, central Brazil. A total of 113 ground-penetrating radar profiles were acquired with 200 MHz and 400 MHz shielded antennas aiming in identifying geological and archaeological anomalies in order to assist archaeologists in an excavation program. The GPR results indicated clear geophysical anomalies characterized by hyperbolic reflections and areas with high amplitude sub-horizontal electromagnetic waves. The anomalies observed by GPR were confirmed by the excavation of test units, allowing the identification anthropogenic features such as a fire-hearth structure and wooden artifact, and natural features, such as, tree roots and rocky bodies such as speleothems, boulders and bedrock. The results showed the efficiency of GPR method in identifying potential buried archaeological targets in cave sites within a karstic area, and they oriented to archaeological excavations, reducing costs and increasing the probability of finding archaeological targets in the initial stages of a project.
2011
Historical bridges are an integral part of the traditional architectonic heritage of a region. These ancient structures require special attention because many of them have lost their original utility and now perform different functions, which often require supporting special tension conditions. Therefore, constant diagnosis of their structure is necessary using methods that will not change the historical character of the structure. In this work, a survey methodology is proposed to analyse the viability and effectiveness of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for obtaining internal information on ancient masonry arch bridges from three points of view: historical, structural and archaeological. Several Roman or medieval bridges in the Galician territory (northwest Spain) were surveyed with GPR. An inventory was developed that includes the most relevant information obtained for their structural analysis and characterisation and to develop synergies for creating or improving the processes and services related to the evaluation, rehabilitation and maintenance of ancient structures.