The Grouting Process as an Innovative Tool for the Assessment of the State of Preservation and Internal Features of the Holy Aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre

Abstract

Grouting of historic structures is a common procedure in many restoration projects, as the masonry in many cases requires additional strengthening. However, grouting of complex historic structures can also provide important information regarding the construction phases and the state of preservation of the internal structure of a monument, which may not be visible by the naked eye. This requires an innovative approach in order to reveal these aspects. In the current research, the data recorded from the grouting of the Holy Aedicule are implemented and analyzed, in order to obtain information regarding the construction phases of the complex Holy Aedicule structure, as well as information regarding the state of preservation of the internal structure behind the marble cladding that encloses it. The correlation of detailed grouting data with geospatial information allows for a more detailed analysis, which, coupled with ground-penetrating radar prospections, can provide critical information regarding the features of the internal structure. The results highlight the importance of this correlation to reveal information that may not be obtained through a typical approach. Thus, this study allowed for the development of an evolved interdisciplinary approach for the management of grouting data in a 2.5D environment, which can be applied in other historic structures and buildings.

Enhanced Documentation and Evaluation of Grouting Process, through the Fusion of Non-Destructive Testing and Evaluation Information—The Case Study of the Katholikon of the Monastery of Panagia Varnakova

“…The fusion of enhanced documentation and information obtained from the grouting process with information obtained from non-destructive techniques is accomplished through three levels of analysis [55].…”

“…For other use cases, however, of more complex geometry and form, e.g., Ref. [55], the availability of 3D models expedited the process of obtaining geo-information. The orthophotos of the façades of the Katholikon were the geometric product of an automated 3D imaging methodology based on high-resolution digital images, terrestrial laser scanning and high accuracy geodetic measurements.…”

“…The grouting of the domes and the roof is not further elaborated, due to the complex geometry of the upper parts of the Katholikon with its multiple domes and the main dome, as well as the extensive damage to the arches and the upper structural system. These posed certain limitations in the elucidation of the interconnectivity of the interior voids and cracks (see below) and the application of the grouting indices [55]. This remaining phase of the grouting process will be analyzed in a future work.…”

“…In a recent study [55], this analysis has been expanded through the correlation of geospatial and grouting data by considering the three-dimensional documentation aspects of grouting data and the development and application of grouting indices. These indices enabled-at a pilot scale-the merging of grouting data, geospatial data, and non-destructive testing (ground-penetrating radar prospections) to reveal the internal structure and assess the state of preservation of the Holy Aedicule of the Holy Sepulchre.…”

“…However, the case study of the Holy Aedicule is a structure of rather limited dimensions, approximately 6 × 8.5 m. In addition, it exhibits a number of specific characteristics: a rather complicated architecture and geometry (relative to its size) with a diverse variation of masonry thickness as well as dimensions and morphology of its internal spaces; intense spatial variations of structural layers (historic masonries from various periods, Holy Rock, restoration masonry); very limited grouting from the interior surfaces due to the requirement to retain internal marble claddings for sensitivity issues. These characteristics considerably influence the analysis of the developed indices, as described in [55]. Even so, the previous study served well as the starting point upon which a more systematic and methodological assessment and correlation could be achieved; a more "typical" case study was thus required, in the form of a large building of a more "conventional" geometry and with reduced variations in the masonry structural layering.…”