Structural Modeling of a Historic Castle using Close Range Photogrammetry

This paper presents a methodology for building surveying and structural modeling of buildings of monumental interest. The complex geometry of these structures requires appropriate techniques to support the diagnosis, health monitoring and structural analysis phases for the validation of the expected performance under future earthquakes. This study aims to investigate a low-cost technology to generate accurate 3D structural model of large historical buildings using photos taken by handheld digital cameras and commercial software. In this regard, a multidisciplinary approach, that integrates close-range digital photogrammetry and finite element analysis (FEM), is tested to the case study of a XV-XVI century masonry castle in southern Italy (Marina di Gioiosa Jonica, Reggio Calabria). Furthermore, to assess the accuracy of the modeling process the geometry of the generated model, we compared it against classical buildings surveying techniques. Finally, a linear FEM analysis is undertaken using the 3D model to show the potential of the adopted procedure for the purpose of structural analysis of a complex structure under earthquake loads