Riccardo CACCIOTTI | Jaroslav VALACH
(Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Prague, Czech Republic)
Abstract:
The MONDIS project aims at developing a knowledge-based system for the documentation and the assessment of damages to build heritage additionally supporting the retrieval of possible remedies. The scope is to overcome the limitations of standard information systems, such as databases, by the application of modern Semantic Web technologies able to integrate, organize and process information in a cognitive manner. The formalization of an ad hoc ontology, called Monument Damage Ontology, allows replicating in a computer readable form the basic dependence among factors influencing the protection of immovable heritage objects. Such ontology provides the basis for a number of software applications dedicated to data gathering, knowledge sharing and advanced semantic searching. The knowledge-based tools developed within the project include an onsite damage inspection application (MONDIS mobile application plus desktop version), a record management and visualization component (MONDIS record explorer), a knowledge mapping application (Ontomind), an educational tool for remedies searching (knowledge matrix) and finally an ontology editing software component (terminology editor). The integration of the above mentioned applications permits the creation of an information system which provides innovative features necessary for an appropriate documentation of cultural heritage assets, fostering consequently their adequate protection. The ontological approach adopted in fact solves the issues of data standardization, integration and sharing in the domain, ensuring firstly data compatibility and easy integration and secondly the automatic data reasoning and processing required for advanced searching and data matching purposes. Furthermore the integrated knowledge-based tools outlined support a variety of tasks useful for different types of users, being these experts or non-experts in the domain, such as professionals administrators, academics, owners and students.
Keywords: Ontology, cultural heritage, damage, historic building, inspection