Assessment of Structure Through Non-Destructive Tests (NDT) and Minor Destructive Tests (MDT) Investigation: Case Study of The Church at Carthusian Monastery at Žiče (SLOVENIA)

Increasing the knowledge of the structural behavior of existing masonry requires a multi-level approach, with proper application of diagnosis and assessment methodologies. The structural performance of a masonry wall structure can be understood provided that its geometry, the characteristics of its masonry texture and the general characteristics of masonry as a composite material are known. For the compilation of all required data, an effective on-site testing campaign is needed, including the application of different test methods by means of combination of minor destructive tests (MDT) and non-destructive tests (NDT). The case study presented herein, encompasses experimental work carried out at the Church of St. John the Baptist at the Carthusian monastery at Žiče, Slovenia. Within this project, on-site investigation was carried out in order to characterize wall cross-sections, to identify different types of masonry, and to collect the samples of mortars and stone particles for further laboratory tests. Methods that were applied for this case study were: crack pattern investigation, radar investigation of masonry walls and internal structure of the ground in the Church, thermography, coring, and boroscopy, as well as laboratory tests on cored samples.