Scan-to-HBIM-to-VR: An Integrated Approach for the Documentation of an Industrial Archaeology Building

In this paper, we propose a comprehensive and optimised workflow for the documentation and the future maintenance and management of a historical building, integrating the state of the art of different techniques, in the challenging context of industrial archaeology. This approach has been applied to the hydraulic work of the “Sostegno del Battiferro” in Bologna, Italy, an example of built industrial heritage whose construction began in 1439 and remains in active use nowadays to control the Navile canal water flow rate. The initial step was the definition of a 3D topographic frame, including geodetic measurements, which served as a reference for the complete 3D survey integrating Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), Structured Light Projection scanning, and the photogrammetric processing of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) imagery through a Structure from Motion (SfM) approach. The resulting 3D point cloud has supported as-built parametric modelling (Scan-to-BIM) with the consequent extraction of plans and sections. Finally, the Heritage/Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) model generated was rendered and tested for a VR-based immersive experience. Building Information Modelling (BIM) and virtual reality (VR) applications were tested as a support for the management of the building, the maintenance of the hydraulic system, and the training of qualified technicians. In addition, considering the historical value of the surveyed building, the methodology was also applied for dissemination purposes.