La conservazione preventiva e programmata venti anni dopo il codice dei beni culturali, 2024
The work investigates the calibration of a non-destructive testing technique (NDT) for the charac... more The work investigates the calibration of a non-destructive testing technique (NDT) for the characterization of the Candoglia marble used in the Cathedral of Milan. This metamorphic rock composes all the coatings of the walls and the rich decorative apparatus, like statues, low relieves, spires and moldings. The analysis of its state of conservation has always been a prerogative of the Veneranda Fabbrica, the subject in charge since 1387 to complete, conserve and protect the building. During its realization, several elements were repaired and renewed due to deep deterioration of specific elements. More recently, a scientific method for evaluating the risk connected to the failure of this material was also introduced: the aim is to avoid tragic episodes, like the accidental falling of pieces of the decoration apparatus, through a periodical control of the surfaces of the cathedral aimed at recording and combining a set of data to improve the condition assessment on the architectural elements. The authors planned and carried out a series of tests to calibrate a procedure, based on ultrasonic tests, able to characterize the stone material and predict future worsening process dealing with its mechanical properties. According to the collected results, this method could improve the good practices for the supervision of the decay of monuments and public buildings.
Restauro dell'architettura. Per un progetto di qualità. , 2023
Within a project concerning the evaluation of the seismic risk of buildings used for public secur... more Within a project concerning the evaluation of the seismic risk of buildings used for public security, the authors studied some police stations and headquarters, in some cases listed as heritage assets, analyzing the impact of the re-functionalization of those complexes, often built for different functions, and later converted for housing public forces. The research was carried out mainly in the Milanese area, considering different typologies: In the city center of Milan, the Questura in Fatebenefratelli street and the police station in San Sepolcro square represent two interesting cases, where the adaptation of pre-existing buildings produced a difficult balance between the reuse design and the preservation of the memory of those historical palaces.
Digital recording of historic buildings and sites in mountainous areas could be challenging. The ... more Digital recording of historic buildings and sites in mountainous areas could be challenging. The paper considers and discusses the case of historical defensive structures in the Italian Alps, designed and built to be not accessible. Drone images and photogrammetric techniques for 3D modeling play a fundamental role in the digital documentation of fortified constructions with non-contact techniques. This manuscript describes the use of drones for reconstructing the external surfaces of some fortified structures using traditional photogrammetric/SfM solutions and novel methods based on NeRFs. The case of direct orientation based on PPK and traditional GCPs placed on the ground is also discussed, considering the difficulties in placing and measuring control points in such environments.
Intrecci. International Journal of Architectural Conservation and Restoration, 2022
The umbrella vault of the castle in Sondrio, with its frescoes dated back to the 16th century, pr... more The umbrella vault of the castle in Sondrio, with its frescoes dated back to the 16th century, presents several aspects requiring to be investigated through different competences. On one hand, the stratigraphic interpretation of the wing of the building hosting the vault, inserted in a articulated system of volumes that from defensive fortress changed its function along the time, on the other one the definition of its geometrical characteristics, presenting signs of disruption, required a study in depth of the structure from a multidisciplinary point of view. The relationship among the authors of this “plot” took origin through the analysis of this masonry vault, despite its assessment presented several limits. The direct inspection of the structure was indeed difficult, due to its displacement, the artistic relevance of the decorations and the accessibility of the extrados. Thus, a clear relationship between the observed damages and the composing building techniques constituted an issue. The complementary investigations here presented show the development of that knowledge path characterizing all the efforts addressed to conservation of the architectural heritage. The advanced geometrical survey, used for the crack pattern and the structural analysis, supported also the implementation of numerical models able to provide reliable verifications on the damage development, according to the vulnerabilities of the constructive system.
The completion of the Milan Cathedral, with the realization of the last gugliotti, the four tower... more The completion of the Milan Cathedral, with the realization of the last gugliotti, the four towers with internal stairs displaced around the tiburio, was characterized by an intense discussion forcing Giuseppe Vandoni to a critic evaluation of the work carried out by his predecessors until the 19th century. The gugliotti built by Amadeo and Pestagalli were considered two reference models for the design of the last two towers. If the tower designed by Amadeo was seen as the prototype for the style, with the high quality of its decorative sculptures, the one realized by Pietro Pestagalli, higher than the first one and directly connected to the top of the dome, was considered as the best practice solution for connecting the lower with the higher level of the terraces constituting the roofing system of the Cathedral. The contents in the discussion exchanged between Vandoni and the academic commission of architecture show the development of a debate still influenced by an open question on the proportion and the style of the Cathedral. The solutions adopted in this period, until the realization of the last tower by Paolo Cesa Bianchi, determine important impacts on the relevant structural interventions carried out by Carlo Ferrari da Passano during the 20th century. These recurrent discussions denote the hard balance among the reasons of the aesthetics and the ones of the practice, putting at risk the preservation preservation of the first tower and droving to the idea of reform the second.
Since 2019, the authors carried out a didactical experience trough the Preservation Studio worksh... more Since 2019, the authors carried out a didactical experience trough the Preservation Studio workshop in the historical center of Vimercate, a town in the north east area of Milan, implementing a convention agreement between the Mu-nicipality and the Atheneum. The convention was arranged in order to set the relationship between the three academic courses of the Politecnico di Milano and the administration of Vimercate, supporting the teaching staff by providing ac-cessibility to various services and some public properties located in the city-cen-ter. Thanks to this kind of agreement, the courses could be supported in their activities by document centers, public associations and the members of the local community, while the teaching staff offered a constant sharing of the main activ-ities by social media and periodical disseminations through public lectures. After maturing several years of didactical workshops on the main buildings of the his-torical center of Vimercate, this paper sho...
Nondestructive Testing of Materials and Structures, 2011
In order to study the building technology of an old 19th century timber vault in the Palace of th... more In order to study the building technology of an old 19th century timber vault in the Palace of the Academy of Sciences in Torino, authors performed several diagnostic tests to detect the construction technique and the damages to this structure. The vault has the peculiarity of being a timber structure, made with a specific technology that is not easily visible from intrados and extrados. For this reason the interpretation of its mechanical behaviour must be based on the knowledge of its construction technology. The non destructive technique that provided the most interesting information was IR thermography. This technique provided valuable data about the timbering used to build the shell of the vault and enabled correct execution of other minor destructive tests, such as light sampling and stratigraphic investigation on the painted plaster.
In 2007, a cooperation between different institutions realized a proposal for a rehabilitation de... more In 2007, a cooperation between different institutions realized a proposal for a rehabilitation design of a problematic central area in Sesto San Giovanni, a large town in the metropolitan hinterland of Milan. Between new modern buildings and new streets, built during the second half of 20th century, a portion of the ancient convent of St. Nicolao is still present, but its neglected structures are in bad conditions. In order to preserve this past-memory of the city, the municipality, together with other associations, is trying to find a new destination for the building. Investigation procedures were requested to control the condition of the surveyed structures of the convent. The complementary use of powder drilling, sonic, single and double flat jack tests, supported by a geometrical survey of the building, was useful to evaluate the characteristics of the survived load-bearing walls. Main problems were generated by the misuse of the building that, after being a convent, was used as...
This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results of the investigations carried out by th... more This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results of the investigations carried out by the authors on a Castle, considered as case histories within a project financed by the EC (project EVK4-2001-00091 ONSITEFORMASONRY), coordinated by C. Maierhofer of BAM. An extensive investigation programme (including sonic, radar, thermovision, flat jack, coring, boroscopy, etc.) has been planned to support the preservation and restoration actions of the Castles. The experience shows the importance of a project for the investigation in order to select the most relevant strategies and tests for each specific problem.
The Monastery, placed in San Paolo D'Argon (near Bergamo), was created in 1097 and since ... more The Monastery, placed in San Paolo D'Argon (near Bergamo), was created in 1097 and since then it was subjected to changes and renewals of its original structures. During the past the masonry structures were modified adding new volumes or arranging new interiors. The main problems affecting the structure are shown by an important crack pattern on walls and vaults. In order to verify the state of conservation of the masonry structures, surveys and different non destructive techniques were used. After the geometrical and crack pattern survey, the complementary use of sonic tests and single and double flat jack tests allowed to obtain many information about the morphology of the masonry walls and of their mechanical properties. The results were used to identify the masonry structures which are in a good state of conservation. Following the indications coming out from the analysis the designer could integrate the on-site results with the ones obtained by analytical calculations in order to improve the knowledge of the building.
La conservazione preventiva e programmata venti anni dopo il codice dei beni culturali, 2024
The work investigates the calibration of a non-destructive testing technique (NDT) for the charac... more The work investigates the calibration of a non-destructive testing technique (NDT) for the characterization of the Candoglia marble used in the Cathedral of Milan. This metamorphic rock composes all the coatings of the walls and the rich decorative apparatus, like statues, low relieves, spires and moldings. The analysis of its state of conservation has always been a prerogative of the Veneranda Fabbrica, the subject in charge since 1387 to complete, conserve and protect the building. During its realization, several elements were repaired and renewed due to deep deterioration of specific elements. More recently, a scientific method for evaluating the risk connected to the failure of this material was also introduced: the aim is to avoid tragic episodes, like the accidental falling of pieces of the decoration apparatus, through a periodical control of the surfaces of the cathedral aimed at recording and combining a set of data to improve the condition assessment on the architectural elements. The authors planned and carried out a series of tests to calibrate a procedure, based on ultrasonic tests, able to characterize the stone material and predict future worsening process dealing with its mechanical properties. According to the collected results, this method could improve the good practices for the supervision of the decay of monuments and public buildings.
Restauro dell'architettura. Per un progetto di qualità. , 2023
Within a project concerning the evaluation of the seismic risk of buildings used for public secur... more Within a project concerning the evaluation of the seismic risk of buildings used for public security, the authors studied some police stations and headquarters, in some cases listed as heritage assets, analyzing the impact of the re-functionalization of those complexes, often built for different functions, and later converted for housing public forces. The research was carried out mainly in the Milanese area, considering different typologies: In the city center of Milan, the Questura in Fatebenefratelli street and the police station in San Sepolcro square represent two interesting cases, where the adaptation of pre-existing buildings produced a difficult balance between the reuse design and the preservation of the memory of those historical palaces.
Digital recording of historic buildings and sites in mountainous areas could be challenging. The ... more Digital recording of historic buildings and sites in mountainous areas could be challenging. The paper considers and discusses the case of historical defensive structures in the Italian Alps, designed and built to be not accessible. Drone images and photogrammetric techniques for 3D modeling play a fundamental role in the digital documentation of fortified constructions with non-contact techniques. This manuscript describes the use of drones for reconstructing the external surfaces of some fortified structures using traditional photogrammetric/SfM solutions and novel methods based on NeRFs. The case of direct orientation based on PPK and traditional GCPs placed on the ground is also discussed, considering the difficulties in placing and measuring control points in such environments.
Intrecci. International Journal of Architectural Conservation and Restoration, 2022
The umbrella vault of the castle in Sondrio, with its frescoes dated back to the 16th century, pr... more The umbrella vault of the castle in Sondrio, with its frescoes dated back to the 16th century, presents several aspects requiring to be investigated through different competences. On one hand, the stratigraphic interpretation of the wing of the building hosting the vault, inserted in a articulated system of volumes that from defensive fortress changed its function along the time, on the other one the definition of its geometrical characteristics, presenting signs of disruption, required a study in depth of the structure from a multidisciplinary point of view. The relationship among the authors of this “plot” took origin through the analysis of this masonry vault, despite its assessment presented several limits. The direct inspection of the structure was indeed difficult, due to its displacement, the artistic relevance of the decorations and the accessibility of the extrados. Thus, a clear relationship between the observed damages and the composing building techniques constituted an issue. The complementary investigations here presented show the development of that knowledge path characterizing all the efforts addressed to conservation of the architectural heritage. The advanced geometrical survey, used for the crack pattern and the structural analysis, supported also the implementation of numerical models able to provide reliable verifications on the damage development, according to the vulnerabilities of the constructive system.
The completion of the Milan Cathedral, with the realization of the last gugliotti, the four tower... more The completion of the Milan Cathedral, with the realization of the last gugliotti, the four towers with internal stairs displaced around the tiburio, was characterized by an intense discussion forcing Giuseppe Vandoni to a critic evaluation of the work carried out by his predecessors until the 19th century. The gugliotti built by Amadeo and Pestagalli were considered two reference models for the design of the last two towers. If the tower designed by Amadeo was seen as the prototype for the style, with the high quality of its decorative sculptures, the one realized by Pietro Pestagalli, higher than the first one and directly connected to the top of the dome, was considered as the best practice solution for connecting the lower with the higher level of the terraces constituting the roofing system of the Cathedral. The contents in the discussion exchanged between Vandoni and the academic commission of architecture show the development of a debate still influenced by an open question on the proportion and the style of the Cathedral. The solutions adopted in this period, until the realization of the last tower by Paolo Cesa Bianchi, determine important impacts on the relevant structural interventions carried out by Carlo Ferrari da Passano during the 20th century. These recurrent discussions denote the hard balance among the reasons of the aesthetics and the ones of the practice, putting at risk the preservation preservation of the first tower and droving to the idea of reform the second.
Since 2019, the authors carried out a didactical experience trough the Preservation Studio worksh... more Since 2019, the authors carried out a didactical experience trough the Preservation Studio workshop in the historical center of Vimercate, a town in the north east area of Milan, implementing a convention agreement between the Mu-nicipality and the Atheneum. The convention was arranged in order to set the relationship between the three academic courses of the Politecnico di Milano and the administration of Vimercate, supporting the teaching staff by providing ac-cessibility to various services and some public properties located in the city-cen-ter. Thanks to this kind of agreement, the courses could be supported in their activities by document centers, public associations and the members of the local community, while the teaching staff offered a constant sharing of the main activ-ities by social media and periodical disseminations through public lectures. After maturing several years of didactical workshops on the main buildings of the his-torical center of Vimercate, this paper sho...
Nondestructive Testing of Materials and Structures, 2011
In order to study the building technology of an old 19th century timber vault in the Palace of th... more In order to study the building technology of an old 19th century timber vault in the Palace of the Academy of Sciences in Torino, authors performed several diagnostic tests to detect the construction technique and the damages to this structure. The vault has the peculiarity of being a timber structure, made with a specific technology that is not easily visible from intrados and extrados. For this reason the interpretation of its mechanical behaviour must be based on the knowledge of its construction technology. The non destructive technique that provided the most interesting information was IR thermography. This technique provided valuable data about the timbering used to build the shell of the vault and enabled correct execution of other minor destructive tests, such as light sampling and stratigraphic investigation on the painted plaster.
In 2007, a cooperation between different institutions realized a proposal for a rehabilitation de... more In 2007, a cooperation between different institutions realized a proposal for a rehabilitation design of a problematic central area in Sesto San Giovanni, a large town in the metropolitan hinterland of Milan. Between new modern buildings and new streets, built during the second half of 20th century, a portion of the ancient convent of St. Nicolao is still present, but its neglected structures are in bad conditions. In order to preserve this past-memory of the city, the municipality, together with other associations, is trying to find a new destination for the building. Investigation procedures were requested to control the condition of the surveyed structures of the convent. The complementary use of powder drilling, sonic, single and double flat jack tests, supported by a geometrical survey of the building, was useful to evaluate the characteristics of the survived load-bearing walls. Main problems were generated by the misuse of the building that, after being a convent, was used as...
This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results of the investigations carried out by th... more This paper presents and discusses the preliminary results of the investigations carried out by the authors on a Castle, considered as case histories within a project financed by the EC (project EVK4-2001-00091 ONSITEFORMASONRY), coordinated by C. Maierhofer of BAM. An extensive investigation programme (including sonic, radar, thermovision, flat jack, coring, boroscopy, etc.) has been planned to support the preservation and restoration actions of the Castles. The experience shows the importance of a project for the investigation in order to select the most relevant strategies and tests for each specific problem.
The Monastery, placed in San Paolo D'Argon (near Bergamo), was created in 1097 and since ... more The Monastery, placed in San Paolo D'Argon (near Bergamo), was created in 1097 and since then it was subjected to changes and renewals of its original structures. During the past the masonry structures were modified adding new volumes or arranging new interiors. The main problems affecting the structure are shown by an important crack pattern on walls and vaults. In order to verify the state of conservation of the masonry structures, surveys and different non destructive techniques were used. After the geometrical and crack pattern survey, the complementary use of sonic tests and single and double flat jack tests allowed to obtain many information about the morphology of the masonry walls and of their mechanical properties. The results were used to identify the masonry structures which are in a good state of conservation. Following the indications coming out from the analysis the designer could integrate the on-site results with the ones obtained by analytical calculations in order to improve the knowledge of the building.
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Papers by Lorenzo Cantini
The authors planned and carried out a series of tests to calibrate a procedure, based on ultrasonic tests, able to characterize the stone material and predict future worsening process dealing with its mechanical properties. According to the collected results, this method could improve the good practices for the supervision of the decay of monuments and public buildings.
The complementary investigations here presented show the development of that knowledge path characterizing all the efforts addressed to conservation of the architectural heritage. The advanced geometrical survey, used for the crack pattern and the structural analysis, supported also the implementation of numerical models able to provide reliable verifications on the damage development, according to the vulnerabilities of the constructive system.
The authors planned and carried out a series of tests to calibrate a procedure, based on ultrasonic tests, able to characterize the stone material and predict future worsening process dealing with its mechanical properties. According to the collected results, this method could improve the good practices for the supervision of the decay of monuments and public buildings.
The complementary investigations here presented show the development of that knowledge path characterizing all the efforts addressed to conservation of the architectural heritage. The advanced geometrical survey, used for the crack pattern and the structural analysis, supported also the implementation of numerical models able to provide reliable verifications on the damage development, according to the vulnerabilities of the constructive system.