ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Non-destructive methods are of great interest for the analysis of Cultural Heritage. This work presents a low cost ultrasound sensor without direct contact with the test specimen studying variation of the phase shifts between the emitter and the ultrasound detector. This acoustical method meets the requirements to perform in situ non-invasive studies of bricks position supporting mural paintings and simple plasters, and could be extended to other antique artifacts such as mosaics, etc. Its simplicity and the low data acquisition time could be put together to obtain real time measurements, which in addition to a position tracking system would enable a fast and versatile non-destructive system. Using this prototype system, an early moisture detection system has been installed in a dome that supports a fresco. We used this prototype for the detection of brick joints under a XVth century Renaissance fresco of the Metropolitan Cathedral of the city of Valencia (Spain), with full success in detecting these joints. Both laboratory and in situ results are in agreement. Although this is a preliminary study and more tests and theoretical simulations must be performed, the result is encouraging and opens interesting prospects for future research in this field.
