Senior Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ITC). Active in applications of quantitative infrared thermography since 1980. Leader of many international and national research projects in heat and mass transfer. Author of more than 200 papers.

Coordinator of the Working Group Thermography within NDT commission, belonging to the Standardisation Italian Body (UNI) and Italian representative at ISO on the same topic.
Level 3 according to EN473 on NDT by thermographic method.

Joint professor at Trieste University for General Physic course, Industrial engineering faculty and lecturer at Padova University.

Member of the steering committee of some International Journal and conferences, including: Quantitative Infrared Thermography (QIRT), Thermosense, Advanced Infrared Technology and Applications (AITA).
 

Abstract

IR Thermography Applied to Cultural Heritage Conservation

Thermal non-destructive testing is more and more applied even in the field of cultural heritage conservation. The main reason is the capability of inspecting large surfaces without any contact or damage. A large number of testing procedures and processing algorithms allows to reach reliable results both in laboratory or in situ. In many cases the integration of different methods increase significantly the reliability and completeness of the investigation.

Well established or innovative techniques are based on the analysis of the thermal process during the quasi-steady or the transient regime. IR thermography may be applied qualitatively or under advanced processing, accordingly to particular demands. The quantitative use of thermography allows an effective investigation of the decay and identification of the causes of the material weakness. Furthermore, the knowledge of the hidden history of the monument is enhanced by a view in the IR.

Thermal Non Destructive Testing could analyze different works of art and decay forms. Results given for the following case study are illustrated: fresco detachment sizing, structural cracks identification for the seismic risk evaluation, monitor of the moisture of structures, distribution of ambient thermodynamic conditions, wooden painting and the characterization of historic materials.