A computationally assisted cultural heritage conservation method

• Published in: Journal of cultural heritage Vol. 48; pp. 119 - 128
• Main Authors: Kioussi, A., Karoglou, M., Protopapadakis, E., Doulamis, A., Ksinopoulou, E., Bakolas, A., Moropoulou, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01-03-2021
• Subjects: Conservation; Cultural heritage; Decision making; Matlab; Multi-criteria; Python; Multi-criteria; Cultural heritage; Decision making; Conservation; Python; Matlab
• ISSN: 1296-2074; 1778-3674
• DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2020.12.001

•Matlab and Python support multi-criteria analysis in cultural heritage conservation•This computational - assisted method analyzes material’s performance parameters and develops criteria•Integrated documentation feeds decision support system with standard quality data•It is a decision support system with multi-criteria engine powered by expert knowledge•Applies in all conservation actions, is easy to maintain and to expand
Decision making for cultural heritage protection is a multi-criteria process, involving many parameters and stakeholders. In this paper is proposed a methodological approach, for the scientific support to decision making, based on advanced software programming interfaces (Matlab and Python). As a case study, the consolidation intervention was selected. Starting point of the proposed methodology is the use of integrated documentation protocols, as a source of the required data for the monument/ object of art, capable of feeding the decision-making system with standard quality/critical parameters and risk indicators. These data are both bibliographic and real experimental values, coming from research in laboratory conditions, as well as from pilot conservation applications on monument scale. The evaluation of the crucial criteria is performed by the "experienced user/ expert" and is thus exploited by the system to adapt their weight factors through mathematical models. Main characteristics of the proposed systems is that is easy to implement, has the ability to expand to other conservation interventions, and it is executable on/compatible with different operating systems, provides a qualitative evaluation of the result.