Methodology for heritage conservation in Belgium based on multi-temporal interferometry

L. Bejarano-Urrego, E. Verstrynge, M. Shimoni, J. Lopez, J. Walstra, P. Y. Declercq, D. Derauw, R. Hayen, K. Van Balen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Soil differential settlements that cause structural damage to heritage buildings are precipitating cultural and economic value losses. Adequate damage assessment as well as protection and preservation of the built patrimony are priorities at national and local levels, so they require advanced integration and analysis of environmental, architectural and historical parameters. The GEPATAR project (GEotechnical and Patrimonial Archives Toolbox for ARchitectural conservation in Belgium) aims to create an online interactive geo-information tool that allows the user to view and to be informed about the Belgian heritage buildings at risk due to differential soil settlements. Multi-temporal interferometry techniques (MTI) have been proven to be a powerful technique for analyzing earth surface deformation patterns through time series of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. These techniques allow to measure ground movements over wide areas at high precision and relatively low cost. In this project, Persistent Scatterer Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (PS-InSAR) and Multidimensional Small Baseline Subsets (MSBAS) are used to measure and monitor the temporal evolution of surface deformations across Belgium. This information is integrated with the Belgian heritage data by means of an interactive toolbox in a GIS environment in order to identify the level of risk. At country scale, the toolbox includes ground deformation hazard maps, geological information, location of patrimony buildings and land use; while at local scale, it includes settlement rates, photographic and historical surveys as well as architectural and geotechnical information. Some case studies are investigated by means of on-site monitoring techniques and stability analysis to evaluate the applied approaches. This paper presents a description of the methodology being implemented in the project together with the case study of the Saint Vincent's church which is located on a former colliery zone. For this building, damage is assessed by means of PSInSAR.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFifth International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment, RSCy 2017
EditorsVincent Ambrosia, Kyriacos Themistocleous, Silas Michaelides, Giorgos Papadavid, Gunter Schreier, Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis
PublisherSociety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
ISBN (Electronic)9781510613522
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event5th International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment, RSCy 2017 - Paphos, Cyprus
Duration: 20 Mar 201723 Mar 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10444
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of the Environment, RSCy 2017
Country/TerritoryCyprus
CityPaphos
Period20/03/1723/03/17

Keywords

  • Differential settlements
  • Ground deformation
  • Historical buildings GeoWeb toolbox
  • MSBAS
  • PS-InSAR
  • Stability damage

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