Integration of structural and energetic non destructive diagnostics: dynamics of air fluxes by IR thermography

Historical buildings represent an important part of the Cultural Heritage and they sum up to more than half of the buildings present in Europe. Those structures are often characterized by structural and energetic deficiencies because of the poor or lack of maintenance. NDT can provide a great aid to the knowledge of the building. Numerical evaluations need great deal of precise experimental data. In addition, about techniques applicable with energetic aims and there is no experience of possible limitations when applying them on historic buildings where the uncertainties are many more. In an effort to further develop existing diagnostic techniques and testing procedures, in this work an IR thermography experimental application is outlined for the purpose of dynamically tracing air movements in an indoors environment. By using paper stripes hanging from the ceiling, it was possible to survey the air temperature at different heights, in different climatic conditions and to obtain horizontal and vertical temperature maps of high precision.