Heritage BIM (HBIM): Digital Transformation in Historic Buildings
The preservation, documentation, and restoration of historic buildings is one of the most sensitive areas of modern engineering. Traditional methods are inadequate in describing historic structures with irregular geometries, weathered surfaces, and complex details. **Heritage BIM (HBIM)**, or Historic Building Information Modeling, creates a revolution by bringing laser scanning data into the BIM environment.
What is HBIM?
HBIM is the digital modeling of the physical and functional characteristics of a historic structure. However, unlike standard BIM, HBIM libraries contain parametric objects that reflect the "existing, deformed, and original" condition of the structure, not "ideal" geometries.
How Does the Process Work?
**Data Collection
** Billions of points are collected from the surface of the structure using laser scanning (LiDAR) and photogrammetry (Drone). This data is a millimetric copy of the structure.
**Data Processing
** The point cloud is cleaned and referenced.
**Parametric Modeling
* Instead of a standard "door" family, a custom HBIM family is created that is unique to that structure, including its carvings and curvatures formed over time.
* Walls are modeled not as flat, but according to the deviations (out-of-plumb) in the point cloud.
**Information Addition
** "Metadata" such as material information, construction period, and damage condition (cracks, moisture, corrosion) are added to the model.
Contributions to Restoration Projects
1. Precise Survey Acquisition
Dome, vault, or facade details that cannot be reached by hand are measured completely with laser scanning. This prevents "missing document" issues in Heritage Council approval processes.
2. Analytical Studies
Finite element analysis (FEA) can be performed on the HBIM model to simulate the earthquake resistance and static condition of the structure much more realistically. Because the model reflects the deformed state of the structure in reality, not its ideal state.
3. Deformation Tracking
By overlaying periodic scans made over time, settlements or crack progressions in the structure can be monitored with millimetric precision.
Stone-by-Stone Survey
Especially in cut stone structures, drawing the boundaries of each stone individually (stone-by-stone survey) is critical for the accuracy of restoration. In HBIM processes, each stone can be modeled as a separate object on the point cloud, numbered, and automatically exported to quantity lists (Schedules).
At Eos Proje, we contribute to the most accurate transmission of Turkey's cultural heritage to future generations by creating digital twins.
For documentation of historic buildings and HBIM processes, fill out our quote form.