An integrated approach for the conservation of archaeological buildings: The “Re Barbaro” Palace in Sardinia

The paper concerns the in-situ tests and the structural analyses of the “Re Barbaro” Palace, the most important Roman Bath in Porto Torres (Sardinia, Italy). The building represents a typical case of archaeological construction strengthened by reinforced concrete structures in the last century casting a heavy reinforced concrete slab on the extrados of the masonry vault. Therefore, it is part of the current debate on what is the best intervention strategy for the conservation of this cultural heritage. Laser scanner surveys, surface penetrating radar tests, covermeter tests, sonic tests, infrared thermography tests, and fiberscope inspections were carried out. The collected data allowed the development of a refined finite element structural model. The paper shows how a multidisciplinary approach, integrated in-situ tests and structural analyses allowed to get all the information needed to take the best technical decision for its conservation.