A Building Information Modeling Approach to Integrate Geomatic Data for the Documentation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage

A groundbreaking approach integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with multiple non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques—terrestrial laser scanning, ground-penetrating radar, infrared thermography, and UAS-acquired RGB imaging—enables advanced documentation and preservation of cultural heritage sites. Applied to the Monastery of Batalha in Portugal, this method allows for detailed, non-invasive analysis of structural elements like buttresses and masonry vaults, optimizing data treatment and integration within a BIM framework. The study demonstrates how combining geomatic data with automated pathology classification enhances facility management, restoration planning, and research, offering a scalable solution for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Solla, M., Gonçalves, L. M. S., Gonçalves, G., Francisco, C., Puente, I., Providência, P., Gaspar, F., & Rodrigues, H. (2020). A Building Information Modeling Approach to Integrate Geomatic Data for the Documentation and Preservation of Cultural Heritage. Remote Sensing, 12(24), 4028. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12244028