The Turin-Genoa railroad was built (and financed) by the Kingdom of Savoy. Work began in 1845 and was completed by the end of 1853, connecting the two cities with a double track almost 170 km long. To cross the Apennines, the construction of several tunnels and more than forty bridges was needed. The Arquata-Busalla-Genoa section includes the Giovi tunnel (the longest tunnel at that time) and eight bridges. Some of them, such as the Prarolo bridge, display highly significant typological and technological features. They illustrate the diffusion of modern construction techniques, merging elements from the French stone tradition, with fired brick models from Great Britain. The aim of this paper is to explore one possible application of photogrammetry in the field of archaeology of architecture. Specifically, to test the precision of this tool for mensiochronology (the chronological dating of brickwork based on the analysis of dimensions and composition of the elements) in case of industrial bricks. Considering every construction as the primary documental source of its own history, mensiochronology is among the preferred tools for architectural investigation. In fact, cross checking data provided by this method with information made available by other disciplines allows gaining a deep understanding of its first construction and subsequent transformations. This method provides opportunities that go beyond a single and specific case study: in fact, it can offer a key contribution to the study of the whole material culture that created one building. However, to have access to its whole potential, mensiochronology needs to be supported by a high number of samples, and by very precise and reliable measurements. Based on direct inspection and survey of the wall elements and on the accessibility of the surface being studied, mensiochronology is therefore suitable for vertical structures of limited height or relies on the availability of scaffolding and lifting equipment. This paper is aimed at investigating the possibilities provided by the most recent and advanced 3D digital photogrammetric techniques. Digital measurement on point cloud is proposed as an alternative to direct measurement of bricks for chronological dating purposes, particularly for architectural portions not easily accessible such as the bridges of the Arquata-Busalla-Genoa railroad section.
Contribution of photogrammetry for mensiochronology of industrial fired bricks structures. The bridges in the Arquata-Busalla-Genoa section of the Turin-Genoa railroad
Simonetta ACACIA;Marta CASANOVA;Elena MACCHIONI;
2019-01-01
Abstract
The Turin-Genoa railroad was built (and financed) by the Kingdom of Savoy. Work began in 1845 and was completed by the end of 1853, connecting the two cities with a double track almost 170 km long. To cross the Apennines, the construction of several tunnels and more than forty bridges was needed. The Arquata-Busalla-Genoa section includes the Giovi tunnel (the longest tunnel at that time) and eight bridges. Some of them, such as the Prarolo bridge, display highly significant typological and technological features. They illustrate the diffusion of modern construction techniques, merging elements from the French stone tradition, with fired brick models from Great Britain. The aim of this paper is to explore one possible application of photogrammetry in the field of archaeology of architecture. Specifically, to test the precision of this tool for mensiochronology (the chronological dating of brickwork based on the analysis of dimensions and composition of the elements) in case of industrial bricks. Considering every construction as the primary documental source of its own history, mensiochronology is among the preferred tools for architectural investigation. In fact, cross checking data provided by this method with information made available by other disciplines allows gaining a deep understanding of its first construction and subsequent transformations. This method provides opportunities that go beyond a single and specific case study: in fact, it can offer a key contribution to the study of the whole material culture that created one building. However, to have access to its whole potential, mensiochronology needs to be supported by a high number of samples, and by very precise and reliable measurements. Based on direct inspection and survey of the wall elements and on the accessibility of the surface being studied, mensiochronology is therefore suitable for vertical structures of limited height or relies on the availability of scaffolding and lifting equipment. This paper is aimed at investigating the possibilities provided by the most recent and advanced 3D digital photogrammetric techniques. Digital measurement on point cloud is proposed as an alternative to direct measurement of bricks for chronological dating purposes, particularly for architectural portions not easily accessible such as the bridges of the Arquata-Busalla-Genoa railroad section.
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