Gianluca Cadelano

This contribution provides a critical overview of an approach that integrates survey and analysis of wooden artifacts in both visible and infrared domains. The object of study is a set of protected 19th-century wooden models representing architectural forms. These artifacts are currently being evaluated through low-cost surveys to create digital copies for sharing, as well as through thermographic analysis to reveal the structure beyond the finishing layer of these objects, allowing for the scheduling of planned conservation procedures. Given that these models are approximately 150 years old, they are vulnerable to decay, which could soon impact their preservation. An interesting aspect of the proposed analysis is the application of active thermography to these fragile wooden objects, ensuring their preservation and historical integrity. The initial results enable us to interpret the structure of these models better, as thermal analysis reveals the arrangement of wood components and highlights the presence of metallic joints. That kind of information is essential for programming the possible restoration, specifically for the operations related to the disassembly and reassembly of such artifacts.

Wattle-and-daub ceiling slabs, common in Europe until the early 20th century, are highly prone to cracking and plaster detachment. This study assesses the use of active, quantitative infrared thermography to detect and characterize such cracks, distinguishing between superficial and through-thickness damage by analyzing thermal responses to low-intensity heating, while maintaining a workflow consistent with realistic diagnostic practices in heritage environments. The approach combines step heating and lock-in thermography to obtain qualitative anomaly maps and depth estimates. It introduces a new acquisition protocol that utilizes temporary room depressurization to enhance thermal contrast, along with an improved dynamic signal-analysis algorithm. The outcome is a reliable, contact-free procedure for monitoring degradation in wattle-and-daub slabs, suitable for large or hard-to-access areas, supporting conservation planning.

First held in 1992, AITA is an international conference that aims to present state-of-the-art research and recent applications in the field of infrared spectral range technology

Moisture in building materials, particularly in cultural heritage structures, can cause reduction in mechanical strength, decrease in indoor comfort and alteration of thermal properties, aesthetic decay, and even material loss. To non-invasively quantify moisture content in porous materials, Active Infrared Thermography was used. The method was applied in the laboratory on brick sample with different moisture contents, as well as on a reference stone sample with known thermophysical properties, to evaluate thermal inertia as a function of water content using a comparative approach. A heat flux was applied to the sample using a lamp, and thermal inertia was derived from the absorbed heat, influenced by the material’s absorption coefficient. An indirect optical calibration enables estimation of this coefficient without applying high-emissivity or high-absorption coatings, preserving the integrity of sensitive heritage materials.

Climate change poses significant challenges for the renovation of historic buildings, requiring a careful balance between preservation and energy efficiency, particularly considering the forecasted rise in temperatures. This study focuses on a medieval building undergoing renovation, examining thermal behaviors based on future climate settings, with particular attention to the rooms housing a book collection. Books require controlled microclimatic conditions that must be ensured for their preservation; hence, the energy use for air conditioning control must be considered during the renovation planning phase. Through on-site monitoring of the thermophysical properties of the building envelope and indoor microclimate, along with energy model software simulations, both historic climate and global warming scenarios were evaluated for their potential impact on thermal behavior and consequently on energy consumption. This study aims at contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of historic buildings, as well as proposing best practices for planning interventions involving sensitive cultural heritage materials, considering the effects of climate change in the renovation process. The results show strategies to address the climatic changes through a methodology optimizing renovation interventions. The sizing of air conditioning systems coupled with a less stringent microclimate control mitigates energy requirements, in line with the sustainable management approach.

AITA is an international conference that has run since 1992 and is aimed at assessing the state of the art of the infrared spectral range technology and to present its most interesting applications

The contact sponge method is applied on a piece of clay brick. According to the standard, the sponge is moistened with water, applied on the surface of the material by means of a cup, and weighted before and after the application. It allows us to determine the amount of water absorbed by the porous material by unit area and unit time. After the application, the moistened area begins to evaporate and cool down. The IR camera is used to monitor the temperature variation of the imprint of the sponge. Meanwhile, moisture diffuses on the material as well. The IR camera is used to monitor the in-plane diffusion of moisture by following the imprint of the sponge that enlarges with time. A suitable model is used to evaluate the shape of the imprint that varies with time.

The presence of moisture in masonry is crucial because it causes and exacerbates various deterioration mechanisms, such as crystallization of salts, mechanical stresses due to freeze–thaw cycles, biological degradation, etc. The assessment of the water content is critical for cultural heritage buildings; thus, on-site non-invasive techniques have been proposed over time. An innovative active thermographic procedure is proposed and tested in a laboratory to assess the amount of moisture via a non-destructive approach. The methodology is based on heating a brick specimen together with a reference sample which has known thermophysical properties. Evaporation is inhibited by an impermeable film applied to the samples. The trends in the surface temperatures of both materials are recorded using infrared thermography and compared with each other: the calculation of the thermal inertia of the wetted material is retrieved from the comparison of the temperature trends in both samples. The water content value is thus determined from the thermal inertia of the sample.

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