Estimation of pre-existing deformations in historical masonry vaults from contemporary point clouds
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Vaults in historical masonry structures often feature geometric distortions whose deformation history remains unknown. Understanding these deformations can support damage assessment and residual load-carrying capacity evaluation. This study presents a methodology to estimate pre-existing deformations through non-rigid registration of a reference template to surveyed point clouds. A physics-informed iterative closest point algorithm (π-ICP) which minimises normal distances while constraining elastic strain energy is developed. The template is a triangular three-noded finite element mesh; the optimal nodal displacement field is sought as a linear optimization problem solved using least-squares approach. This enables a flexible representation of undeformed geometries, allowing imposed displacements and discontinuities such as cracks. The method is evaluated on synthetic data generated through FEM simulations of a barrel vault under differential support movement and on real data of a viaduct damaged during piling works. Both applications show accurate displacements recovery and the ability to detect pre-existing and ongoing distortions.
Source: Automation in Construction
Institutions: University of Genoa, University of Oxford
Language: English
Subfield: Geology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,490
OpenAlex ID: W7152441598