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The development of new measurement techniques is changing the process of documentation and assessment of built heritage. An accurate planimetric basis is essential for the constructive evaluation of a building. This paper presents the methodology used in the geometric assessment of Gothic vaults in the Cathedral of Tortosa (Spain). The use of a Terrestrial Laser Scanner allows the assessment of the vaulting to a level of detail that has never been possible to achieve previously. The accurate identification of geometric deviations in the masonry can be combined with the information from primary sources, revealing new information about the construction process of the apse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of massive data capture techniques in architectural heritage has enhanced the development of new methodologies that have an important impact on their conservation and understanding. The research proposes the study of formal anomalies in the cloister of the Cathedral of Tarragona (c. 12th century). It is a relevant Gothic construction in Catalonia, with the special singularity that part of its structure is raised over an important pre-existing Roman wall. The investigation is based on a point cloud obtained with a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and the systematization of the 3D analysis methodology of the point cloud through different reference shapes. In general terms, the construction is in good condition, so the discrepancies between real construction and the shapes of reference are small, with some exceptions. Nevertheless, the different approximations used allowed us to identify some relevant features, such as the variability of the form of rib vaults, and the influence of the criteria used in the definition and location of reference forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]