HBIM GENERATION: EXTENDING GEOMETRIC PRIMITIVES AND BIM MODELLING TOOLS FOR HERITAGE STRUCTURES AND COMPLEX VAULTED SYSTEMS

Abstract. Today, the generation of smart models and digital archives able to accompany the management of architectural assets through the integration of advanced 3D survey techniques and Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) becomes an irremissible added value for the management of building life cycle. New international BIM standards are trying to give some guidelines to this new digital tool, which has demonstrated a wide range of potential applications in digital heritage, structural simulation, generative design, site management, restoration and daily maintenance activities. To manage a proper 3D reconstruction from point clouds, also known as Scan-to-BIM process, BIM experts typically use 3D application developed for the management of new buildings, which make it difficult to generate complex objects such as historic vaults and irregular and damaged walls. For these reasons, this study places the heart of its research in the integration of generative modelling in BIM application, proposing new Scan-to-BIM modelling requirements for complex vaulted systems and a novel add-in (a set of new functionalities for Autodesk Revit) able to improve the generation of complex elements from point cloud data. In particular, new modelling requirements such as novel grades of generation (GOG) and accuracy (GOA) are integrated within the Revit’s structure in order to improve the level of information connected to HBIM and consequently to support the decision making of restoration and rehabilitation projects of complex heritage structures.