CIPA 2005 XX International Symposium, 26 September - 01 October. 2005. Torino. Italy 
969 
DESIGN OF A DATABASE SYSTEM FOR GEOMETRIC DOCUMENTATION 
S. Tapinaki 3 , A. Georgopoulos b , T. Sellis c 
a Ph.D. Candidate, School of Rural and Surveying Engineer, - sevi@upln.ntua.gr 
b Professor, School of Rural and Surveying Engineer, - drag@central.ntua.gr 
L Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, - timos@dblab.ece.ntua.gr 
National Technical University of Athens, GREECE 
KEY WORDS: Data base, Geometric Documentation, Cultural Heritage 
ABSTRACT 
The modern perception for the methodology of geometric documentation of monuments is a combination of three methods: 
topometric, topographic (mainly tacheometry) and photogrammetric, which constitutes the most advanced way for a fully controlled 
survey of objects of high accuracy. The amount of information collected, but also produced after processing, in combination with the 
diversity of data, creates a lot of problems, which complicate the task, resulting to unreliable end products. The management of 
information is of utmost importance for the correctness of the result and it would be useful, if this data were to be categorized in a 
system, in such a way, that retrieval of usable infonnation, along with permanent and easy record of data is possible. This paper 
describes the design of a Database System, which will help the organization of data and will constitute the base for the development 
of a complete and integrated system, which will be a useful tool in all phases of the survey, from the decision making to the delivery, 
but also in any future need. In the conceptual modelling 33 entities and 32 interrelationships were defined, which where categorized 
in 5 sub-databases. The logical modelling lead to the creation of 45 tables. The Database is able to administer all kind of data that is 
required (collected and produced) in all phases of a geometrical documentation of a monument, where the combination of the three 
methods, and eventually others e.g. laserscanning, is applied. Therefore it is able to contribute to the geometric recording of any kind 
of monuments, from the simplest to the more complex one. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Experience of those who deal with geometrical documentation 
of cultural heritage, shows that there are numerous and diverse 
problems to overcome. The difficulty mainly originates from 
the nature of the monuments themselves, but also from the 
necessary inter-disciplinary approach, which imposes co 
operation of different scientists and experts, who very often 
speak a different language. 
The management of the enormous amount of data, collected and 
produced, which must be easily traceable and understandable 
from all those involved, constitutes one of the main problems, 
as, in many cases, it causes fatal errors and unwanted delays. 
This paper describes the theoretical design approach of the 
database system which was developed during the compilation of 
a postgraduate thesis (Tapinaki, 2003). 
A Data Base offers integral information organization, data 
safety, speed of information retrieval and segregation of data 
and program. Thus the easy access, addition, substraction or 
modification of information is ensured, as well as the efficiency, 
the independence and the flexibility of the system. 
The Database System "Geometric Documentation Data" 
combines all the collected non-homogeneous data and changes 
them into usable information. In addition, a complete 
management system is being developed, for the particular data 
base. This system provides all the required operations for data 
management. 
2. GEOMETRIC DOCUMENTATION 
Geometric Documentation is the essential way of recording the 
present state of monuments, as it results through time and 
supply the necessary background to those who investigate the 
past, but also to those who care about the future of monuments. 
(Makris, 1999). 
The aim is to record the position and the existing real form, 
shape and size of monuments, in the three-dimensional space, of 
a particular moment. The end products of this action form the 
base map of other special researchers, offering them more time, 
convenience and -of course- reliability (Georgopoulos & 
Ioannidis, 2005). 
2.1. Methodology 
The exact methodology of the survey of a monument depends 
on the combination of many parameters which, in each case, 
should be carefully considered and evaluated for the final 
choice. The modem perception for the methodology of 
Geometric Documentation is the combination of topometric, 
topographic and photogrammetric methods, which constitute the 
most advanced way for a fully controlled survey of the 
monument of high accuracy. 
Surveying provides the geodetic, topographic and 
photogrammetric networks, photogrammetry records the details 
in space and the simple topometric methods complete the above, 
when it is impossible or inexpedient to apply. The procedures of 
measurements and calculations are the usual topographic and 
photogrammetric ones, adapted to the special needs for each 
monument. (Georgopoulos, 1998). 
At first, inspection of the monument and the surrounding area is 
carried out and any available information, about the monument, 
is collected, such as previous surveys, old imagery, historical 
details about the construction etc. Then, the choice of the 
methodology and the programming of work are made, 
according to the demands of the survey, the monument 
attributes and the available equipment. 
2.2. Data 
The data collected, but also produced after processing, are 
diverse: images, notes, sketches, topographic measurements, 
points, coordinates, vector drawings, combined drawings