On field validation of non-invasive laser scanning vibrometer measurement of damaged frescoes: experiments on large walls artificially aged

Abstract Past experiences demonstrated that the study of surface vibrations could be used to locate defect positions and sizes in frescoes. At present a non-invasive diagnostic system is under development and the aim of this work is to present the results obtained on large painted walls. After initial measurement set-ups based on accelerometers and impact hammers, a novel system based on laser vibrometers and acoustic stimulation was assembled. Full remote and contactless investigation of typical defects of frescoes, detachments, cracks and delaminations is thus possible with a very high accuracy. For the present investigation we employed a commercial scanning laser doppler vibrometer (SLDV) system, a horn loudspeaker and bass reflex enclosure to fully cover the audio frequency range. This paper will present experimental results gathered from large samples made by LRMH and compare them with those extracted by traditional investigation techniques.