Purpose: This paper aims to compare the possible environmental impacts of different rehabilitation solutions proposed to a case study of a Portuguese vernacular building, bearing in mind the need to search for less impactful practices in accordance with global agendas and, simultaneously, the importance of preserving heritage assets. Design/methodology/approach: The two proposed solutions differ from each other in the selection of materials, varying from the exclusive use of conventional contemporary materials to the use of locally sourced and natural-based materials, considering the Portuguese and local scenario. Results obtained from Life Cycle Assessment procedures are the basis of comparison, which were developed using a Building Information Model (BIM)-integrated analytical plugin. Findings: Producing Heritage Building Information Model (HBIM) models was essential to the analysis, and therefore is a vital part of the used methodology; nevertheless, the modelling of heritage buildings itself plays an important part in preserving heritage assets once it provides precise documenting and managing tools. The results depict variation in values for different indicators in both cases, whose interpretation might need further development to get to deeper conclusions. It has been found that the software tools are still not well adapted to analyse heritage or historic buildings, and therefore adaptations had to take place to overcome these limitations. Originality/value: The study distinguishes itself by involving the production of HBIM models and the use of BIM-integrated Life Cycle Assessment plugins as well as its analyses, to validate this approach.

Accurate identification of modal properties in a steel cantilever beam is crucial for enhancing numerical models and supporting structural health monitoring, particularly when numerical and experimental data are combined. This study investigates the modal system identification of a steel cantilever beam using finite element method (FEM) simulations, which are validated by experimental testing. The beam was bolted to a reinforced concrete block and subjected to dynamic testing, where natural frequencies and mode shapes were extracted through Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD). The experimental outcomes were compared with FEM predictions from SAP2000, and discrepancies were analysed using the Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC). A model updating procedure was applied, refining boundary conditions and considering sensor mass effects, which improved model accuracy. The updated FEM achieved closer agreement with frequency deviations reduced to less than 4% and MAC values above 0.9 for the first three modes. Beyond validation, the research links the updated FEM results with a Building Information Modelling (BIM) framework to enable the development of a digital twin of the beam. A workflow was designed to connect vibration monitoring data with BIM, providing visualisation of structural performance through colour-coded alerts. The findings confirm the effectiveness of FEM updating in generating reliable modal representations and demonstrate the potential of BIM-based digital twins for advancing structural condition assessment, maintenance planning and decision-making in civil engineering practice.

This article presented a method for grading and visualising corrosion in steel pedestrian bridges using Building Information Modelling (BIM). Traditional inspection methods are often manual and subjective, which reduces their reliability and repeatability. To enhance the recording and reporting of inspection results, a five-level corrosion severity grading system was developed using matched photographic data from two inspection campaigns conducted in February 2024 and April 2025. The grades were assigned based on visual signs, including surface rust, coating damage, and flaking. A Dynamo script was used to link each grade to the corresponding elements in a Revit model using colour overrides. The proposed approach enables corrosion data to be integrated into the BIM environment in a clear, structured manner. This helps engineers assess the structure’s condition, monitor changes over time, and make informed maintenance decisions. The workflow was demonstrated using case studies from a steel pedestrian bridge in Aveiro, Portugal. The method is adaptable for future digital twin applications and supports the development of BIM-based tools for bridge asset management. The workflow was applied to over 2600 elements, with 75 visually degraded cases identified and classified into five grades, demonstrating the method’s feasibility for systematic corrosion tracking. The proposed workflow was tested on a coastal steel bridge and could be generalised to other bridges with similar environmental conditions.

The Lecturers Reference Guide for BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a specialized manual intended for educators in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) who are involved in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) courses. The primary goal of this guide is to enhance lecturers’ level of competence in integrating BIM methodology into their teaching in a manner that is both collaborative and integrated. In essence, this guide serves as a comprehensive resource for lecturers, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively teach BIM in a way that aligns with the collaborative and integrated nature of this modern methodology in the AEC industry.