Study of bronze repairs by finite element method (FEM) interpretation of the thermographic results

摘要

In this work the finite element method (FEM) is proposed for the interpretation of the thermographic results obtained on ancient bronzes. In particular, mechanical and metallurgic repairs are characterized by analysing the interface between patches and underlying bronze bulks in order to recognize the different kind of repairs operated by the artists. The obtained results are then used as a starting point to improve the knowledge of the bronze manufacturing process. Finally, this method is used to interpret the thermographic results obtained on some masterpieces of bronze statuary, like the Boxer at Rest, belonging to the Museo Nazionale Romano.