Heritage building information model (BIM) for scientific data

Pocobelli, D P (2021) Heritage building information model (BIM) for scientific data. PhD thesis, University College London, UK.

Abstract

This research aims at enabling usage of Building Information Modelling (BIM) within heritage science, and, specifically, it intends to provide a tool that depicts continuous surface quantities, such as weathering. BIM is a new technology that has been specifically developed for new buildings. BIM consists of several platforms, which enable the digital control and buildings’ design in all their life-cycle phases. It is possible to enrich BIM model’s elements with any data type. Data embedding is crucial in heritage; indeed, heritage buildings are often characterised by large amounts of data, either historical, or performance, i.e., environmental monitoring. Using BIM in heritage buildings could lead to a new way of working, given the critical data management issues in building conservation projects. However, using BIM technology in heritage presents challenges, and research is active on solving heritage-specific issues, such as modelling automation, surveying, data embedding, etc. A literature review enabled research gaps identification in some fields, including weathering depiction, as well as challenges and future steps that the BIM industry could take for the heritage sector. After identifying the need for heritage-specific technical solutions, a dedicated algorithm, which is able to read and depict data that will be useful for heritage, was created. This algorithm was tested in two case studies using Autodesk Revit and related technologies. The BIM models are enriched with data through Revit spreadsheets. A combination of Autodesk Dynamo and Python is used to produce an algorithm that can read, interpolate, and depict moisture in the Jewel Tower case study. In the second case study, Hellens Manor, we use a streamlined version of the Dynamo algorithm to depict the chemical components variation of historic glass panes. These 2 experiments demonstrate that our algorithm is flexible and can be successfully used to depict any surface quantity of interest to heritage.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords: heritage; automation; building information model; building information modelling; conservation; data management; monitoring; experiment; case study
Index terms: spreadsheet, literature review, environmental monitoring, automation, variation, experiment, surveying, heritage building, conservation, case study, building information modelling, new technology, modelling, monitoring, data management, science, platform
Subjects: innovation and technology management, environmental policy, environmental impact, information systems, data management, specialized education, control systems, data science, construction type, data collection methods, automation and robotics, digital design, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data analysis and analytics, contractual condition, analytical methods
Topics: Education, Engineering Principles, Site Management, Sustainability, Research Practice, Construction Technology, Digital Applications, Health and Safety, Contract Administration
Descriptive scope: 4 PCEA

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here