ABSTRACT
this chapter presents a study which assessed the feasibility of applying a new methodology for the survey and assessment of historic buildings based on applying state-of-the-art image processing. This has the potential to facilitate frequent surveys with minimal disruption to the general public in cities. The paper also presents the results of a collaborative and cross-disciplinary research project aiming to automate data capture and analysis techniques for conservation of stone facades. Image processing techniques have been implemented in a wide range of areas such as medicine, automation, security and defence. The chapter aims to develop new image processing techniques to support automated analysis of stone masonry facades while identifying the different materials used as well as pathologies. In order to explore the possibility of applying state-of- the-art image processing to the challenge of surveying historic buildings, one case study was selected and surveyed using two different methods.
