Multispectral Sensing and Data Integration for the Study of Heritage Architecture

The recording and processing of terrestrial multispectral information can have significant value for built heritage studies. The efficient adoption of active and passive sensing techniques operating at multiple wavelengths and the integrated analyses of the produced data is essential for enhanced observation of historical architecture, especially for the implementation of rapid non-destructive surveys, which can provide an overall assessment of the state-of-preservation of a historical structure to indicate areas of interest for more detailed diagnostics. Based on this rationale, the presented work aims at providing methods for prompt recording, fusion, and integrated visual analysis of two-dimensional multispectral results to study architectural heritage. Spectral images—captured with a modified digital camera—thermograms, photogrammetrically produced orthophoto-maps, and spatial raster data produced from point clouds are integrated and analyzed. The results are evaluated within the scope of studying building materials, deterioration patterns, and hidden defects, towards the employment of advanced geomatics approaches to monitor built heritage effectively.