A diagnostic ontological model for damages to historical constructions

Understanding damages to cultural heritage represents a very complex task based on a multidisciplinary interpretation of gathered information. Integrating the knowledge of different branches of science related to cultural heritage protection into a comprehensive knowledge-based system allows endorsing professional decision-making processes with the particular scope to mitigate the challenge posed by damage diagnosis to both expert and non-expert users. This paper proposes a model attempting to convey the benefits of modern ontological know-how to the management and processing of information concerning the diagnostic phase. The methodology consists in translating the professional approach to diagnosis of damages into a computer readable form able to replicate the assessment procedure, step by step, towards a feasible intervention. An overview of possible applications to conservation practice, such as the development of a mobile application dedicated to damage surveying and assessment, is also presented.