Skip to main content

Applications of Non-destructive Tests for Diagnosis of Heritage Buildings: Case Studies from Singapore and Malaysia

Abstract

Non-destructive tests have been increasingly used in historic buildings not only for pre-restoration investigation but also as useful tools to evaluate the effectiveness of eventual interventions. These tests can complement and supplement destructive tests like laboratory analysis of extracted samples as long as a sound sampling plan has been put in place to commensurate with the pattern and extent of dilapidation and materials distribution. Common methods employed in projects in Singapore and Malaysia include the infrared thermography, ground penetrating radar, microwave moisture tomography and ultrasonic pulse echo tomography. The paper discusses about a selection of case studies, demonstrating the application of various techniques for the identification of hidden details, defects and deterioration, and moisture detection.

References

  • Binda, Lugia, and Antonella Saisi. 2009. “Applications of NDTs to the Diagnosis of Historic Structures.” Paper presented at NDTCE’09, Non-Destructive Testing in Civil Engineering, Nantes, June 30–July 3.

  • Concrete Society. 1997. Guidance on Radar Testing of Concrete Structures. Surrey: The Concrete Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dackermann, Ulrike, Keith Crews, Bohumil Kasal, Jianchun Li, Mariapaola Riggio, Frank Rinn, and Thomas Tannert. 2014. “In-situ Assessment of Structural Timber Using Stress Wave Measurements.” Materials and Structures 47 (5): 787–803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grinzato, Ermanno. 2012. “IR Thermography Applied to the Cultural Heritage Conservation.” Paper presented at 18th World Conference on Nondestructive Testing, Durban, April 16–20.

  • Himi, Mahjoub, María de la Vega Pérez Gracia, Albert Casas, Josep Oriol Caselles Magallón, Jaime Clapes Boixader, and Lluis Rivero. 2016. “Non-destructive Geophysical Characterization of Cultural Heritage Buildings: Applications at Spanish Cathedrals.” First Break 34 (8): 93–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, Martin, Ulrike Dackermann, and Jianchun Li. 2015. “Elastic Wave Modes for the Assessment of Structural Timber: Ultrasonic Echo for Building Elements and Guided Waves for Pole and Pile Structures.” Journal of Civil Structural Health Monitoring 5 (2): 221–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maierhofer, C., K. Borchardt, and J. Henschen. 1995. “Application and Optimisation of Impulse-radar for Non-destructive Test in Civil Engineering.” In Int. Symp. Non-Destructive Testing in Civil Engineering, edited by G. Schickert and H. Wiggenhauser, 663–672. Berlin: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Zerstorungsfreie Prufung (DGZfP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Maierhofer, Christiane, Astrid Ziebolz, and Christian Kopp. 2003. “ONSITEFORMASONRY—A European Research Project: On-site Investigation Techniques for the Structural Evaluation Historic Masonry.” International Symposium on Non-destructive Testing in Civil Engineering.

  • McCann, D. M., and M. C. Forde. 2001 “Review of NDT Methods in the Assessment of Concrete and Masonry Structures.” NDT & E International 34 (2): 71–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michaux, Christophe, and Michel Grill. 2011. “NDT 3D Tomographic Testing Cases on Concrete and National Heritage Buildings”.

  • Plesu, Raluca, Gabriel Teodoriu, and George Taranu. 2012. “Infrared Thermography Applications for Building Investigation.” Buletinul Institutului Politehnic Din Iaşi LVIII (LXII): 157–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranalli, Danilo, Marco Scozzafava, and Marco Tallini. 2004. “Ground Penetrating Radar Investigations for the Restoration of Historic Buildings: Case study of the Collemaggio Basilica (L’Aquila, Italy).” Journal of Cultural Heritage 5 (1): 91–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svahn, Helene. 2006. “Non-destructive Field Tests in Stone Conservation—Literature Study: Final Report for the Research and Development Project.” Rapport från Riksantikvarieämbetet 4.

  • Tang, H.S., P. Krishnankutty, and C.W. Wong. 2013. “Diagnostic Condition Assessment of a 180-year-old Church in Singapore for the Purpose of Restoration.” Paper presented at International Conference on Sustainable Building Restoration and Revitalization, Shanghai, September 25–28.

  • Wong, Chung Wan, and Shibing Dai. 2003. “Restoration of Shanghai Plaster – An Example from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarter.” Paper presented at 2nd International Symposium on Building Pathology, Durability and Rehabilitation, Lisbon, November 6–8.

  • Wong, Chung Wan. 2015. “Investigation Techniques for Restoration of Heritage Buildings.” Paper presented at ICOMOS-NMS World Heritage Day Symposium, Singapore, April 18.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chung Wan Wong.

Rights and permissions

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wong, C.W. Applications of Non-destructive Tests for Diagnosis of Heritage Buildings: Case Studies from Singapore and Malaysia. Built Heritage 3, 14–25 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03545732

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03545732

Keywords