T. THEOHARIS | P. PERAKIS
(NTNU, Trondheim, Norway)

Keywords: Erosion simulation, cultural heritage

Abstract:
The erosion process is a multi-parametric phenomenon which is hard to simulate algorithmically due to the large number of parameters involved as well as the lack of erosion related data. Erosion data acquisition is particularly challenging due to the large time-frame involved. Our approach toward building an erosion model for specific types of stone and specific environmental parameters is described as well as the acquisition of erosion data from specialized accelerated erosion chambers. The stone types addressed are marble and soapstone. The erosion chambers simulate atmospheric pollutants, the effect of salt intrusion as well as the freeze-thaw effect.
Once a cultural heritage monument is scanned in 3D, the erosion simulator can be used to perform sensitivity analysis on the effect of erosion based on the variation of the input parameter values. This analysis can show the degree of danger that the cultural heritage monument is in, according to the assumed parametric values. Erosion values are mapped onto the 3D scan of the cultural heritage monument and their visual nature is useful for the public dissemination of the involved danger.
According to our records, this is the only detailed erosion simulator for stone and we intend to make it publicly available.
This work is supported by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 600533 PRESIOUS (www.presious.eu).