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.

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 comparative analysis of point clouds acquired from a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) survey and a 3D virtual tour using Matterport technology for heritage building information modeling (HBIM) development. The study uses the Cloister of the Royal College of Corpus Christi Seminary, an important cultural heritage site in Valencia, Spain, as a case study. The point clouds from the TLS survey and Matterport scans were compared both quantitively in CloudCompare software and visually to assess their accuracy and quality. The Matterport point cloud data was found to be slightly lower in quality and accuracy compared to the TLS data, but still sufficient for developing some low-tolerance geometry in the HBIM model. The study shows that Matterport point cloud data has potential to supplement TLS scans, particularly in areas missed during the TLS survey due to range limitations. Matterport technology is accessible, affordable, and easy to use, making it a feasible option for heritage sites with limited resources. Moreover, Matterport technology captures high-quality visual data, including color and texture, providing a detailed representation of the heritage site. Thus, Matterport technology can be a valuable contribution to cultural heritage documentation and preservation, particularly for sites requiring a quick and efficient surveying process. The findings of this research offer insights into the relative advantages and limitations of these two reality capture techniques for cultural heritage documentation and preservation, and could potentially inform decision-making processes for future heritage preservation projects.

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.

This study explores the potential of Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for assessing tourist visitation and managing public use of heritage buildings. By integrating these tools, the research aims to improve preventive maintenance and conservation management in culturally significant buildings and urban outdoor spaces. The findings demonstrate the value of HBIM and GIS in handling spatial information and facilitating reliable decision-making for tourist itinerary design and visitor flow management. By examining three buildings of the highest degree of protection as assets of cultural interest, the information obtained can be extrapolated to a municipal management network that encompasses numerous urban models. The integration of databases enables the combination of data at different scales, from the building level to the territorial level, involving all relevant stakeholders from various disciplines. The results highlight the importance of using digital tools in the context of heritage architecture and public use management, promoting more sustainable practices in the preservation and conservation of our cultural heritage.