USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (DRONES) FOR THE AUSCULTATION OF HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES AND ANCIENT STRUCTURES

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (RPAS), better known as drones, has been expanding in recent years with multiple and very diverse applications, among which are the inspections of architectural heritage elements, singular constructions and old or delicate structures.The present article arises precisely from several routine inspections, carried out in an experimental way on diverse heritage elements, and from a detailed main inspection, carried out on a medieval bridge: the Brandomil Bridge.With the completion of all of them and the information obtained, it will be possible to assess whether the aircraft can serve as a quality tool for carrying out the work that is currently carried out with qualified personnel, the transport and installation of expensive auxiliary means and a high economic and time investment, especially in the careful planning of the work.Similarly, special emphasis is placed on safety and risk reduction: safety and risk reduction for the monument to be inspected, and risk reduction for the safety and health of the workers currently performing the work.