Integration of Laser Scanner and Photogrammetry for Heritage BIM Enhancement

Abstract

Digital 3D capture and reliable reproduction of architectural features is the first and most difficult step towards defining a heritage BIM. Three-dimensional digital survey technologies, such as TLS and photogrammetry, enable experts to scan buildings with a new level of detail. Challenges in the tracing of parametric objects in a TLS point cloud include the reconstruction of occluded parts, measurement of uncertainties relevant to surface reflectivity, and edge detection and location. In addition to image-based techniques being considered cost effective, highly flexible, and efficient in producing a high-quality 3D textured model, they also provide a better interpretation of surface linear characteristics. This article addresses an architecture survey workflow using photogrammetry and TLS to optimize a point cloud that is sufficient for a reliable HBIM. Fusion-based workflows were proposed during the recording of two heritage sites—the Matbouli House Museum in Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Asfan Castle. In the Matbouli House Museum building, which is rich with complex architectural features, multi-sensor recording was implemented at different resolutions and levels of detail. The TLS data were used to reconstruct the basic shape of the main structural elements, while the imagery’s superior radiometric data and accessibility were effectively used to enhance the TLS point clouds for improving the geometry, data interpretation, and parametric tracing of irregular objects in the facade. Furthermore, in the workflow that is considered to be the ragged terrain of the Castle of Asfan, here, the TLS point cloud was supplemented with UAV data in the upper building zones where the shadow data originated. Both datasets were registered using an ICP algorithm to scale the photogrammetric data and define their actual position in the construction system. The hybrid scans were imported and processed in the BIM environment. The building components were segmented and classified into regular and irregular surfaces, in order to perform detailed building information modeling of the architectural elements. The proposed workflows demonstrated an appropriate performance in terms of reliable and complete BIM mapping in the complex structures.

Close-Range Sensing and Data Fusion for Built Heritage Inspection and Monitoring—A Review

“…Laser Scanning and IBM satisfy the 3D modeling needs for inspection, multitemporal deformation monitoring, numerical modeling, and building information modeling (BIM) [315,316], and enable surface feature extraction regarding deterioration and physical defects. The integration between them emphasizes the complementarity of geometric and color information.…”

Heritage Cataloguing in History: Conceptual and Graphical Foundations of Immovable Cultural Heritage Data Bases in the Case of Spain

“…Several papers discuss about the application of BIM to heritage and according to M. Castellan-Román and F. Pinto-Puerto, three focuses can be identified in relation with HBIM: modelling of historical buildings as a particular case, high geometric accuracy modelling, and analysis and generation of knowledge [53]. In the last years, different articles highlight the potential and application of HBIM mainly used for built heritage but also for movable heritage inside it [54][55][56][57][58]. Other authors, while understanding the impact of HBIM, also mention that this tool does not offer a significative improvement in the field of dissemination of cultural heritage [59].…”

The Evolution of Interactivity, Immersion and Interoperability in HBIM: Digital Model Uses, VR and AR for Built Cultural Heritage

“…In this context, several studies have shown how digital models, related information, schedules and databases can be shared through digital twins, favouring information sharing and minimising data loss [35][36][37][38][39][40].…”