Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is an essential technology for heritage documentation, conservation, and management. It enables people to understand, archive, advertise, and virtually reconstruct their built heritage. Creating highly accurate HBIM models requires the use of several reality capture tools, such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), photogrammetry, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), etc. However, the existing literature did not explicitly review the applications and impacts of TLS in implementing HBIM. This paper uses the PRISMA protocol to present a systematic review of TLS utilization in capturing reality data in order to recognize the status of applications of TLS for HBIM and identify the knowledge gaps on the topic. A thorough examination of the 58 selected articles revealed the state-of-the-art practices when utilizing static TLS technology for surveying and processing captured TLS data for developing HBIM models. Moreover, the absence of guidelines for using static TLS surveys for HBIM data acquisition, the lack of robust automated frameworks for producing/transferring 3D geometries and their attributes from TLS data to BIM entities, and the under-utilized application of TLS for long-term monitoring and change detection were identified as gaps in knowledge. The findings of this research provide stakeholders with a good grasp of static TLS for HBIM and therefore lay the foundation for further research, strategies, and scientific solutions for improving the utilization of TLS when documenting heritage structures and developing HBIM.

Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) is increasingly utilized to develop accurate and semantic-rich databases for the representation, preservation, and renovation of cultural heritage. A critical factor in successful HBIM delivery is the intended uses of the model, which need to be established by stakeholders at the onset of the program. Despite the greater application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies to HBIM workflows, the discipline continues to lack clarity regarding information requirements from a tenant perspective. The first stage of this research was a review of 26 published HBIM case studies to extract information including HBIM workflows, level of development (LOD) models in the field, and the stakeholders’ participation in the HBIM program. The findings from the case studies conclude that most HBIM methodologies did not seek to understand the needs of assumptive stakeholders and lacked a clearly defined objective. Ten interviews with proprietors of ten different historic courthouses in the southeastern United States were also included in the study, which were used to identify the priorities of HBIM programs from a built heritage stakeholder’s standpoint. These priorities were used in conjunction with reviewed field standards to develop LOD supplement guidelines applicable for HBIM, which were then validated through a case study. The findings of this research conclude that the creation of LOD guidelines for HBIM application is both achievable and advisable, as they allow stakeholders to identify their priorities for HBIM projects. Such guidelines would assist in standardizing the HBIM discipline and disseminating its usefulness to historic building managers. This research also provides standards that allow cultural heritage stakeholders to make informed decisions about potential HBIM programs and maximize the use of resources to implement such programs. Moreover, the methodology implemented in this research offers a valuable example for future studies on HBIM guidelines and regulations.

The Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma, Alabama, a symbol of the American Civil Rights Movement and an exemplar of early 20th-century engineering, stands as a testament to the progress and challenges of its era. The bridge, recognized for its pivotal role in the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” conflict and the following Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights, also represents significant engineering achievements with its distinctive design and construction methodology. In this study, the research team presents a comprehensive framework for documenting heritage bridges by utilizing Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology, supplemented by other Reality Capture (RC) techniques, including Structure from Motion (SfM), 360-degree photography, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and integrating the data within a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment. The focus on the Edmund Pettus Bridge case study demonstrates how this novel approach can capture the intricate details of its structural and architectural features while preserving its historical narratives. The documentation outcomes, including a detailed BIM model and a set of Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) drawings, highlight the effectiveness of combining TLS and BIM in conserving unconventional heritage structures like bridges. This paper also discusses the technological challenges encountered, such as dealing with heavy traffic and environmental constraints during data acquisition and developing the BIM model and drawings. It outlines the strategies implemented to address these issues. This research contributes to preserving a severely under-represented American National Historic Landmark (NHL). It sets a precedent for documenting other non-building heritage structures, balancing technological advancements with historical integrity.

Heritage Building Information Modelling (or HBIM) is a multi-disciplinary process and a promising tool for the management and documentation of heritage structures. HBIM can record the significant historic events that have taken place in the built environment and is used to track the aging process of the built asset. However, the digital re-construction procedures for HBIM development associated with historic buildings are very challenging: the objects of the historic models consist of components whose heterogeneous, complex, and irregular characteristics and morphologies are not represented in the existing BIM software libraries. Unlike conventional BIM workflows for new constructions, the tried and tested tools and methods must be adapted, and even reinvented, for HBIM applications. This article introduces the basic concept of HBIM, a set of technological tools of data capture for HBIM model development, and a feasible HBIM workflow.

This paper presents a systematic review of published case studies on Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) since 2018, and identifies research gaps in the subject matter. Building upon the foundational work of Ewart and Zuecco (2019), this research aims to reveal the latest trends in HBIM implementation, identify recent developments of HBIM technologies, changes in the purpose of HBIM programs and stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and uncover knowledge gaps that provide avenues for future research. Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach, two major academic databases, Scopus and Web of Science (WOS), were searched, resulting in a rich and diverse dataset for analysis. The paper reports findings on the status of reality capture techniques used to acquire data for HBIM development, focusing on terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology. The review highlights the benefits and limitations of TLS for data acquisition in HBIM, as well as the integration of TLS with other reality capture technologies, such as Structure from Motion (SfM) and photogrammetry. The paper further outlines the typical workflow for processing TLS scan data and explores the integration of multiple point clouds for comprehensive heritage site modeling. In addition to the state of the art, this systematic review also uncovers several research gaps in the field of HBIM that offer opportunities for future research and innovation, including the lack of guidelines for data acquisition in HBIM programs, the predominantly manual development process of HBIM from TLS point cloud data, and the under-utilized capacity of TLS for long-term monitoring and change detection. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the current landscape of HBIM, offering guidance for future research and development in the heritage sector and highlighting areas in need of further investigation to advance the field.

This research advances the integration of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in heritage documentation, targeting the development of holistic and practical guidance for practitioners to adopt the technology effectively. Acknowledging the pivotal role of TLS in capturing detailed and accurate representations of cultural heritage, the study emerges against a backdrop of technological progression and the evolving needs of heritage conservation. Through a comprehensive literature review, critical case studies of heritage sites in the U.S., expert interviews, and the development of a TLS for Heritage Documentation Best Practice Guide (the guide), the paper addresses the existing gaps in streamlined practices in the domain of TLS’s applications in heritage documentation. While recognizing and building upon foundational efforts such as international guidelines developed over the past decades, this study contributes a practice-oriented perspective grounded in field experience and case-based analysis. The developed guide seeks to equip practitioners with structured methods and practical tools to optimize the use of TLS, ultimately enhancing the quality and accessibility of heritage documentation. It also sets a foundation for integrating TLS datasets with other technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) for heritage preservation, tourism, education, and interpretation, ultimately enhancing access to and engagement with cultural heritage sites. The paper also critically situates this guidance within the evolving theoretical discourse on digital heritage practices, highlighting its alignment with and divergence from existing methodologies.