Large-scale investigation of plaster detachments in historical murals by acoustic stimulation and video-holographic detection

摘要

In the conservation of historical murals an important issue is the detection of plaster or paint layers that detach from the supporting material and thus threaten to fall off. Commonly, walls are inspected by the acoustic response to a gentle finger-tapping (percussion method). Since this is a costly and cumbersome technique there is need for a metrological instrument serving the same purpose. In the last few years we have shown, that a time-average version of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) with increased sensitivity in combination with acoustic excitation of the object can be a powerful tool for monitoring of loose areas. It offers full-field, video real time capability and has the advantage of non-contact and remote operation which, for example, is extremely useful in large buildings. Recently, a fully computer-based evaluation and control system was added to the system to assist in the introduction of the method as a generally approved tool in artwork monitoring. Principles of the method and instrumental features of the equipment are presented and some results and their interpretation obtained with the computerized system in the church and chapel at St. John's convent at Muestair, Switzerland are demonstrated.