Monitoring of long-term damage in Gothic Cathedrals

摘要

A discussion of the significant types of material and structural disorders related to long-term damage observed in Gothic structures is presented together with some considerations on possible investigations addressed to better characterise the phenomena involved. Such investigations should integrate numerical modelling, laboratory experiments and monitoring consistently. In particular, the possibility of monitoring deformations and structural lesions, during significant periods, is regarded as the more promising approach for improving knowledge and assessment of long-term damage and its influence on the overall stability of the building.