75452 - Geomatic Engineering for Cultural Heritage M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the class, student has knowledge of the modern methods and technologies of Geomatics for survey and monitoring of Cultural Heritage, mainly for buildings and complex structures. In particular, at the end of the course he/she is able to integrate conventional surveying techniques in a digital environment,to provide 3D and image data useful for documentation, representation, monitoring, diagnosis and safeguard of Cultural Heritage in a multidisciplinary approach.

Course contents

The course addresses and discuss, with numerous case studies, the main aspects related to the survey, documentation, representation and monitoring of moveable and immoveable Cultural Heritage with the latest digital technologies of Geomatics.

The main topic is the integration of modern techniques for multi-scale surveys, from the landscape up to individual objects.

Regarding territorial analysis, a module of the course is mainly devoted to digital processing of historical cartography, starting from the acquisition and georeferencing phases to digital enhancement and finally to the generation of new products useful in the development of Historical Geographical Information Systems for comprehensive Cultural Heritage data management and analysis.

Examples of surveying of archaeological areas or urban historical centers by the combined use of airborne photogrammetry and drones (UAV) will be shown, with the aim of GIS establishment.

For structures and single objects are discussed the main characteristics of surveying methods using topographical instrumentation and especially Digital Photogrammetry and different 3D scanning systems (t.o.f. Terrestrial Laser Scanners, triangulation scanners, light projection devices), to realize 3D numerical models with high detail and high accuracy standards.

Computer Vision approaches in image-based 3D modelling. Algorithms and practical solutions for the generation of a mesh from (textured) point clouds. Use of point clouds obtained by terrestrial laser scannng or digital photogrammetry in support of structural analysis, HBIM establishment and restoration activities.

The geometrical monitoring of ancient structures is also discussed, when subject to static problems and when in deterioration state. Some examples of integration with different kinds of data (e.g. thermal or multispectral) are furthermore presented.

All the topics are discussed with reference to real case studies in archaeology and in the monitoring and conservation of ancient structures.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographic references for home study and further reading materials will be provided or suggested, together with slides and notes from the lessons.

Teaching methods

The lectures (in English) will be supplemented with a practical two-days field experience and exercises in the computer lab (with commercial and open source software).

These activities are structured so that students will be able to produce practical solutions to the problems outlined during the lectures.

Assessment methods

The examination at the end of the course is in written form with eventual oral integration, and aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives related to the main characteristics of the geomatic techniques for Cultural Heritage, and solutions to be applied in specific cases.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be conducted in the classroom.

A part of the course will be pursued through practical field experiences. Computer exercises will be realized by using specific software provided to the students for use in their own laptops.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriele Bitelli

See the website of Giorgia Gatta

See the website of Emanuele Mandanici