Survey and Modelling for a Theoretical Reconstruction

Abstract

The research focuses on the analysis and studies of a UNESCO site for which a major survey is underway by analysing its vaults geometry. The research is based on historical documents, previous reconstruction, actual 3D digital survey. The aim is to identify the ideal best fitting shapes that can represents the real architectural geometry of some of the vaults of the complex, where 3D models derived from laser scanner and/or photogrammetric measurements prove to be a very useful ‘instrument’ for the geometrical and constructive studies. At present there are several studies that demonstrate how the productive integration between the classical geometrical constructions and 3D data allows the understanding of the architecture at various levels, for example: identifying common design techniques in a certain era, here in the passage between Romanic and Renaissance Era, developing constructive analysis etc. Current research tries to use this type of data also to develop structural behaviour analysis using the 3D model for the finite element process. Our method contemplates geometric reconstructions using different data sets obliged by necessity: some parts of the complex do not exist anymore, others have been reconstructed on previous grounds, others existing in their original shape have given the possibility to be surveyed now. The result is a first overview as a starting point to be deepened for the better knowledge of our Cultural Heritage, its history and construction across centuries.