Lorenzo CECCON
(Politecnico di Milano – Dipartimento di Architettura e Studi Urbani, Milano, Italy)

Keywords: Overlapping Geometries in BIM, Multi-dimensional Representation for Cultural Heritage, Layered 3D Reconstruction in HBIM

Abstract:
BIM can be seen as a multi-dimensional modelling technique for AEC, where a database of different data sets is linked to geometries, containing valuable information about physical and rendering features, among others. The main BIM packages also allow for multiple geometries to be stored for each architectural element, as it is the case with the Level of Detail (LOD), storing different shapes for the same elements based on the chosen level. However, current software packages seem not to be addressing one of the main issues related to heritage buildings: the overlapping of a series of geometries relating to different aspects of reality. This is true for various forms of decay – e.g. see the ICOMOS-ISCS – where, for instance, the shape an incrustation assumes is often not “aligned” or “limited” to the geometrical features of one unique, nor entire, architectural element. Similarly, this applies to structural sub-elements, such as stones in a stone-wall: in fact, depending on the goals at stake, a whole element or only its constituents can become relevant for the representation and the analysis. For instance, a structural analysis may be better accomplished starting from the constituting stones and their separation, while a rendering might well start from the wall as an unique element. This requires the co-existence of the overall shapes and of its constituents within the same model, so that the latter add up to a perfectly overlapping unity, exactly matching the former. The paper investigates the state of the art of H-BIM vis-à-vis such non-univocal geometrical features and tries to envisage possible new uses of current tools. It also tries to devise new features that could be easily added to current modelling/BIM packages, in view of providing BIM tools that can better represent and describe heritage buildings, thus also helping in their preservation.

Relevance for the conference: Exploring current limitation and some proposal for further development in H-BIM
Relevance for the session: Recognizing some neglected issues in H-BIM such as overlapping geometries, and proposed solutions.
Innovation: Rethinking current H-BIM and modelling tools starting from major neglected aspects, such as overlapping geometries in multidimensional models.
References:

  • Laila M.Khodeir et Al. “Integrating HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) Tools in the Application of Sustainable Retrofitting of Heritage Buildings in Egypt”, 2016, doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.04.024, https://tinyurl.com/y7byhugy
  • • R.Quattrini et Al. “From TLS To HBIM. High Quality Semantically-Aware 3d Modeling Of Complex Architecture”, 2015, doi:10.5194/isprsarchives-XL-5-W4-367-2015, https://tinyurl.com/y8lyltdm