Deterioration and conservation of historical buildings

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The subjects of the present research are : 1) the accurate documentation of the deterioration of the Hagia Sophia, 2) non-destructive examination of the masonry, and 3) long-term monitoring of the monument. The data obtained through the research should be integrated into a future restoration program of the Hagia Sophia.The documentation of the building includes : a) photogramtric survey of the upper structure (the central dome, the adjacent semi-domes, the four great arches and pendentives, the northern and southern tympana), b) the measuring of the inclination of four great piers and of the deformation of the four great arches, and c) detailed recording of the deterioration of the inner surface of the central dome.The result of the photogram metry has been summarized as a series of contour maps of the inner spheres, given as both graphical representation and digitized coordinate data. For the direct measurement of the uppermost point in the intrados of the great arches, a special portable equipment was invented. The three-dimensional inclination of the piers was measured on three vertical levels ; ground floor, gallery and the second cornice.The recording of the deterioration includes a series of detailed sketches of the basic parts of the forty ribs as well. The ceramic tubes inserted radially into the dome shell were also examined carefully, the results of which has been already published.For the non-destructive survey of the masonry, the radar detective machine, the metal detector, and the endoscope were applied. The thermal images of the upper surface were taken through the infra-red thermal recorder. The images clearly show the rain penetration.The monitoring system consists of 50 thermometers, 26 thermo-hydrometers and 25 displacement gauges. The data are automatically recorded six times per day. The data processing is now going on and the result will surely consists a fundamental basis for the future restoration program of the Hagia Sophia.