Precise diagnosis thanks to 3D modeling and artificial intelligence
The Donjon de Niort, an emblematic monument listed since 1840, is currently undergoing major restoration work that will last a year. The work, necessitated by decades of water infiltration which had weakened the masonry, was precisely planned thanks to A2D, an innovative SME based in La Rochelle specializing in the inspection and monitoring of infrastructure and engineering structures.
Cutting-edge technology at the service of heritage
A2D was founded 8 years ago by Pierre Loonis, Doctor in Images and Computer Science and former University Professor. The company employs 8 top-level staff: scientists and engineers from top-level training courses specializing in applied mathematics, image processing, data science and artificial intelligence. The team also includes a former fighter pilot who brings his operational expertise in aerial data acquisition. This unique concentration of academic and technical expertise has enabled us to develop a digital inspection platform that digitizes structures, creates high-precision 3D models and integrates automated anomaly detection.
As part of the Opération Phoenix program run by Altæ Technopole Niort Deux-Sèvres, A2D has worked with local authorities to draw up technical inventories of heritage infrastructures. Le Donjon de Niort benefited from this cutting-edge expertise.
The Donjon's digital health record
Thanks to the A2D Fast solution, Niort Agglo’s technical teams were able to obtain a 3D digital twin of the monument in just a few hours. This modelling made it possible to :
- Precise mapping of all cracks and damaged areas on facades
- Locate areas of water infiltration on the north tower terrace to the centimetre.
- Prioritize interventions according to their level of criticality
“It was both urgent and prudent to undertake this work to avoid further damage over time,” explains Joël Forget, building project coordinator for the Niort conurbation.
Targeted, optimized work
The work mainly concerns the terrace of the north tower to recreate a complete watertight seal, repairing cracks on the facades, and grouting the interior of the
The precise diagnosis provided by A2D enabled Niort Agglo’s teams to visualize the areas of interest for maintenance, in particular the junctions between the original parts and the successive reconstructions, enabling them to prioritize work and optimize maintenance costs.
An innovative approach to heritage preservation
Pierre Loonis, founder of A2D, explains: “The general idea was to build a sort of health record for the Donjon, enabling the community to arbitrate budgets with objective data rather than estimates, and above all to anticipate interventions before they become urgent and much more costly.”
The Donjon is now digitized in 3D and archived on A2D’s collaborative SaaS platform, accessible to all stakeholders in the renovation project (architects, construction companies, design offices, technical departments of the conurbation…). This living archive enables precise monitoring of the progress of the work, with successive diagnostics over time to verify the effectiveness of the work, ensure complete traceability with before-and-after comparisons for each area treated, as well as precise, objective documentation for insurance companies and inspection bodies.
The City of Niort and Niort Agglo are thus demonstrating their commitment to preserving our historic heritage by using the most advanced technologies, combining tradition and innovation in the public interest. A2D has also applied this innovative technology to other remarkable heritage sites in the region, including the Abbey of Saint-Maixent-l’École, the Château du Coudray-Salbart, and the port infrastructures of the Grand Port Maritime de La Rochelle.
About A2D
A2D, an SME based in La Rochelle specializing in inspection using artificial intelligence, develops infrastructure monitoring solutions combining data acquisition, 3D modeling and automatic anomaly detection.
Contact
Marketing and Communication Manager – Iris Texier – 06 33 51 50 10 – France iris.texier@a2d.ai