Non-Destructive Tests for Damage Evaluation of Stone Columns: The Case Study of Sacro Monte in Ghiffa (Italy)

Non-destructive testing (NDT) reveals variable structural integrity in the stone columns of Sacro Monte di Ghiffa, Italy, with ultrasonic and impact tests identifying diverse damage levels. The study found that dynamic elastic modulus values fluctuate across column surfaces due to material degradation, while instrumented hammer impacts provided complementary insights into surface resistance. These findings mark a critical step toward assessing the portico's static stability and guiding conservation efforts for these unconfined heritage structures, which blend art and nature but remain vulnerable to atmospheric exposure. Further laboratory calibration is needed to refine diagnostic techniques for varying damage severity.

Grazzini, A., Fasana, S., Zerbinatti, M., & Lacidogna, G. (2020). Non-Destructive Tests for Damage Evaluation of Stone Columns: The Case Study of Sacro Monte in Ghiffa (Italy). Applied Sciences, 10(8), 2673. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10082673