Ground penetrating radar investigations for the restoration of historic buildings: the case study of the Collemaggio Basilica (L'Aquila, Italy)

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were applied in the preliminary stage of a project of structural monitoring and restoration of the facade of the Collemaggio Basilica, a medieval church located in L'Aquila (central Italy). GPR surveys were very useful in evaluating the state of conservation of the facade and in identifying the thickness of its walls, the forms and deterioration of its masonry with its ashlar facing and rubble core, and the forms and locations of its middle cornice supports. GPR was demonstrated to be an ideal non-destructive method to investigate ancient structures of high cultural and historical value. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.