An IoT Architecture to Enhance Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance for Cultural Heritage Buildings

The significant value related to cultural heritage (CH) is inestimable, and it also represents a resource in economic terms due to tourism. Therefore, CH must be safeguarded to avoid losses that in many cases can no longer be recovered. Due to the variability of elements and conditions, each step in CH protection and conservation is represented by a wide range of variable factors. In this scenario, the ability to intervene seems limited, given the variety of factors to be monitored remotely. However, the deployment of current technology, which retains the ability to provide low-cost sensors, could significantly contribute. The purpose of this paper is to introduce an IoT-based methodology for cultural heritage preservation. Expert users have tested a system prototype to monitor and manage a portion of a building within the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, predict deterioration, and schedule conservation interventions and choose the combination of interventions. Preliminary results are promising.