Systematic approach to generate Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) in architectural restoration project

Abstract

Working with heritage is complex and projects often include scientific, structural, and documentary studies. Every step requires a systematic approach in which the contribution of the diverse experts that participate in the conservation of heritage assets is analysed following the logical sequence of the project execution phase. However, there are still no scientific contributions that record the complete process. A logical sequence, called a ‘systematic approach’ in this paper, should start with data acquisition using remote sensing techniques, the insertion of point cloud data in a Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment, ontologies applied to HBIM (Historic BIM), data classification, and evolution towards the Digital Twin (DT) concept. This paper also analyses the modelling workflow of a case study, the construction of a column base of the Santiago church in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain). This component has been automatically modelled from a mesh in an Autodesk Revit family and through an adaptive mesh process in ArchiCAD. Furthermore, one of the objectives was the data organisation by following and extending a standard data structure of the column components. This paper presents a novel holistic approach from data capture, analysis of complex geometry, construction of the semantically enriched parametric model, and exchange of it among all involved professionals in open source IFC formats. This systematic approach therefore makes it possible to obtain a validated DT for the life-cycle management of architectural elements.