Structural Investigation on 3D Reality Based Models for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Virtual Restoration

Conservation of Cultural Heritage is a key topic and structural changes and damages can affect the structural behaviour of Cultural Heritage artefacts and buildings. Considering that the application of technologies can help in preserving, conserving and restoring ancient structures, it is mandatory to find the best pipeline to produce the correct analysis that can be provided with the use of Finite Element Analysis, a well-known technique used in modelling stress behaviour of objects and structures. The necessary workflow invests and involves design experts enabled to mathematically master the potential of models that pass from interpretation to design control. Following the principles of good experimental practice, the typical workflow involves the use of CAD 3D models made by Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBS) surfaces, representing the ideal shape of the object to be simulated. Conversely, when applied to 3D models of Cultural Heritage, often altered by the time passed since their original creation, the representation with a schematic CAD model may introduce an excessive level of approximation leading to wrong simulation results. The focus of this work is to present a method based on retopology, hence on quadrangular element instead of triangles. Such process aims at generating the most accurate 3D representation of a real artefact from highly accurate 3D models derived from image-based and range—based techniques, maintaining the accuracy of the high—resolution polygonal models in the solid ones to be created for FEA. A proper pipeline can help to carry out the necessary interventions and perform virtual restoration prior to the physical one.