From Thermal Signatures to Conservation Insights: A Fixed Camera Network Approach for Heritage Structure Health Monitoring

Giandomenico Mastrantoni, Jessica Clementi, Antonio Molinari, Ioannis Farmakis, Paolo Mazzanti
Abstract:
Heritage masonry structures face increasing deterioration risks that require continuous monitoring to enable timely conservation interventions, yet current thermal assessment methods rely on periodic surveys that fail to capture dynamic thermal behaviour patterns. This study presents the implementation of a continuous thermal monitoring system using three fixed infrared cameras (Mobotix M73) for 24/7 monitoring of historic wall sections in Rome. Thermal images acquired at 30-minute intervals were processed using custom-developed algorithms for temporal series extraction, edge detection analysis, and master-slave image comparison to characterize thermal signatures and identify structural anomalies. Results demonstrate distinct thermal behaviour patterns across monitored sections depending on material composition and structural characteristics. Edge detection successfully identified thermal discontinuities corresponding to documented structural fractures and material interfaces, while comparative analysis revealed spatial heating heterogeneity indicative of conservation state variations. The correlation between thermal signatures and known structural vulnerabilities validates continuous thermal monitoring as a non-invasive early warning system for heritage deterioration processes, offering significant potential for preventive conservation strategies and real-time structural health assessment of cultural heritage assets.
Download:
IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-056.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc26-2025.056
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC26
Event name:
TC26 MetroArcheo Conference 2025
Title:

Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Place:
Bergamo, ITALY
Time:
15 October 2025 - 17 October 2025