The construction inventory of a monument is a very important activity in research. Its preparation is especially important in these cases, when we do not have exhaustive data on the nature of the structural organism existing in the monument or when the available construction drawings raise doubts as to the accuracy of their execution and the accuracy of the representation of the actual state. In practice, such cases may occur, that there are no exact drawing bases or that the drawings contain many errors, especially in the axle configuration, angles, plan dimensions and sections, dimensions of the spans and the mesh of supports, the shape and dimensions of the parts of the building and their relative position in space, or they do not provide data on the materials used in individual structural elements, etc.. Hence, the preparation of a construction inventory based on the research of a monument in nature is the most authoritative part of this documentation, which is used both in the static and strength analysis, as well as in the preparation of the technical design of conservation works.
Construction inventory is an activity consisting in making the most accurate measurements and photos of the actual state of the construction system along with the introduction of geometric dimensions of all important load-bearing elements. Structural elements, such as walls, should be examined and developed with particular care, poles, pillars, vaults, ceilings, stairs, foundations and foundation conditions. Construction materials and any revealed traces of damage and deformation should be marked on inventory drawings, especially in these items, whose function may affect the stability of the structural system.
Any tectonic and construction changes should also be marked on the drawings, and so: places of major deformations and damage to the wall, observed wetting surfaces, plaster falling off, delamination of joints due to weathering or washing out of the mortar, in addition, any alterations noticed, like bricked up holes, outline of former lintels and vaults, course of smoke channels, ventilation, etc..
Inventory drawings are prepared in an appropriately needed scale (usually projections and sections to scale 1:100 or 1:50, details 1:20, 1:10 or a larger scale): Drawings should be clearly drawn up, clearly and accurately reflect the facts.
On the basis of the drawings prepared in this way and the applied dimensions, it becomes possible to analyze these changes, that have occurred in the construction system of the facility throughout its history and the disclosure of any structural defects in building elements and materials. It is also possible, on the basis of examining the mutual dimensional relations in the projection and cross-sections, to determine with a large approximation the potential static and strength capabilities of individual load-bearing units or structural elements.. The work of individual structural elements can be accurately traced from cross-sections and projections, calculate their forces and stresses, reveal the possibility of deformation, check whether there is a risk of overloading the structure or other threats. These data of the research work become helpful in determining the general conditions of the balance of the building and its spatial stiffness. Construction inventory should be carried out in detail and comprehensively. For this purpose, excavations are often made when necessary, revealing plaster for a better examination of the condition of the materials, characteristic features of threads and masonry technique, especially in these items, which will need to be strengthened or reconstructed.
During the inventory activities of the monument to better illustrate the more characteristic cases of damage and deformation, especially in these items, on the technical condition of which depends the fate of the monument and the choice of technology for conservation works, photographic and film documentation is prepared.
The construction inventory of the monument is closely related to the examinations of its technical condition, as well as the history of construction technology in a given period. Therefore, it should, as a rule, be based on historical documentation, on the basis of which the data on the construction time are determined, transformations and changes in style and establish the belonging to a given historical era of individual fragments or construction units. It needs to be highlighted that, that the basis for drawing up a construction inventory should, as a rule, be an accurate study, precise and updated architectural inventory .