A proposed approach based on the HBIM methodology in the reconstruction process of digital heritage

This study focuses on the processes of documentation and reconstruction in the archaeological domain of cultural heritage through the application of Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) methodologies. The primary aim of the research is to facilitate the planning and management of conservation activities in a digital environment while exploring the extent to which archaeological sites can be adapted to BIM methodologies. Within this framework, the Nero Bath structure, located within the selected study area of the ancient city of Patara, was analysed. A point cloud model of the Nero Bath was created using data from LİDAR scanning and drone imagery. A 3B mesh model was then generated using Rhinoceros software. In the first step, reconstruction interventions on walls, roofs and partial floors were modelled as NURBS surfaces. In the second step, architectural and archaeological excavation data, such as damage to the structure, finishing elements and support systems required during implementation, were incorporated into the model. HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling) could represent not only tangible information, such as parametric objects and structural components, but also intangible data, providing advantages for virtual reconstruction (Paremain and Toll, 2022). The aim is to achieve better coordination, budgeting and time management by planning and managing the post-excavation reconstruction process in a virtual environment. It has been observed that existing methods in the field do not allow the desired level of estimation of materials, subcontractor costs and time allocated for a single excavation period prior to implementation. In this context, the developed simulation demonstrated that the reconstruction project of the bath could be monitored in the fourth (time) and fifth (cost) dimensions through task definitions, time allocations and cost breakdowns. Consequently, the process enables the preparation of digital heritage for physical applications and offers the opportunity to create a pre-visualisation framework for conservation actions. Augmented reality, algorithmic modelling, and BIM software facilitate the digital representation of cultural heritage in virtual environments (Piaia et al., 2020). These representations provide an alternative to traditional methods for the planning and management of processes such as documenting, reconstructing, and improving historical structures (Moyano et al., 2022). The multilayered information compiled into a database can be utilized in a multidisciplinary context, supporting sustainability and accessibility. One of the motivations of this study is to implement the planned simulation in collaboration with various disciplines involved in the excavation team for the ongoing applications concerning the Nero Bath. The study ultimately aims to assess the integration of cultural heritage into HBIM working methodologies within the fourth and fifth dimensions, identifying the contributions, potential, and limitations of this approach in archaeology.