Purpose – The purpose of this research is to outline in detail the procedure of remote data capture using laser scanning and the subsequent processing required in order to identify a new methodology for creating full engineering drawings (orthographic and 3D models) from laser scan and image survey data for historic structures. Design/methodology/approach – Historic building information modelling (HBIM) is proposed as a new system of modelling historic structures; the HBIM process begins with remote collection of survey data using a terrestrial laser scanner combined with digital cameras. A range of software programs is then used to combine the image and scan data. Findings – Meshing of the point cloud followed by texturing from the image data creates a framework for the creation of a 3D model. Mapping of BIM objects onto the 3D surface model is the final stage in the reverse engineering process, creating full 2D and 3D models including detail behind the object's surface concerning its methods of construction and material makeup, this new process is described as HBIM. Originality/value – The future research within this area will concentrate on three main stands. The initial strand is to attempt improve the application of geometric descriptive language to build complex parametric objects. The second stand is the development of a library of parametric based on historic data (from Vitruvius to 18th century architectural pattern books). Finally, while it is possible to plot parametric objects onto the laser scan data, there is need to identify intermediate software platforms to accelerate this stage within the HBIM framework.

This paper studies how pozzolan properties including particle size, specific surface, chemical and mineral composition, amorphousness and water demand, affect their reactivity as well as the strength of lime–pozzolan pastes. Reactivity was evaluated with chemical, mechanical and mineralogical methods. A number of artificial pozzolans were investigated including Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS); Leca; Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA); Calcined Clay (Metastar); Microsilica (MS); Rice Husk Ash (RHA); Red Brick Dust (RBD); Tile and Yellow Brick Dust (YBD). The paper concludes that the pozzolan’s specific surface has a much greater influence on the water demand of the paste than its particle size or the lime:pozzolan ratio. It was evidenced that each pozzolan has a particular water demand for a given workability that increased with its specific surface; and that the replacement of lime by pozzolan lowers the water demand of the paste except for Metastar, on account of its greater fineness and specific surface. There is a good correlation between the chemical and physical activity indices and the rate of portlandite consumption. These evidenced that the most amorphous pozzolans (Metastar, GGBS, RHA and MS) are the most active. Finally, it also appears from the results, that the amount of lime combined by reactive crystalline phases in the pozzolans is insignificant when compared to that bound by their amorphous fraction. The paper concludes that amorphousness determines pozzolan reactivity to a much greater extent than any other pozzolan property. It also concludes that the specific surface area of the pozzolan governs the water demand of the paste, while amorphousness largely determines the strength of the paste. In contrast, the chemical composition of the pozzolan is not instrumental as a variable affecting neither pozzolan reactivity nor the strength of the paste.