A synthetic approach to weathering degree classification of stone relics case study of the Yungang Grottoes

A novel, highly efficient method for classifying the weathering degree of large outdoor stone relics has been developed, with a focus on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Yungang Grottoes. This approach combines terahertz (THz) spectra and ultrasonic velocity measurements, utilizing a least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) regression model to predict weathering levels with remarkable accuracy—relative errors of 8.16% or less. The method is particularly advantageous for areas where ultrasonic testing is impractical, as it requires only approximately 0.2 grams of sample material to obtain THz spectra. This synthetic approach offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for assessing the weathering of stone relics, advancing conservation efforts for such significant cultural heritage sites.

Meng, T., Lu, Y., Zhao, G., Yang, C., Ren, J., & Shi, Y. (2018). A synthetic approach to weathering degree classification of stone relics case study of the Yungang Grottoes. Heritage Science, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-017-0165-y