H-BIM: Un caso studio a Catania

In recent years, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has changed the traditionalconstruction process, emerging as a key tool for building managementthroughout the entire life cycle. The base of the BIM methodology is therealization of a model that, updatable with the changes made to the building, is able to contain in a single three-dimensional interface a virtual representation ofthe building, including the real information about its constructive and plantcomponents. Among the existing building heritage into the Italian cities, moreimportance is given to the historical-monumental buildings, as the largest numberof UNESCO world heritage sites are located in Italy. The information storage ofthese buildings is a fundamental phase, for both the high amount of data and theaim of their cataloguing, necessary for the proper conservation of the buildingand its future management. In order to achieve these goals, the information to beassociated with each building component are not only geometric and dimensional,but also related to maintenance aspects, because the management phase of thehistorical-monumental buildings is temporally predominant compared to theother life cycle phases. The present research, analysing the case study of theCollegio dei Gesuiti located in the city of Catania and characterized by highhistorical-monumental and cultural value, aims to combine the use of the BIMmethodology with the correct maintenance planning and management activities.With this purpose, this study focused on some building components, bothstructural and non-structural. These elements, carefully analysed and surveyed,have been modelled by using a BIM software. Then, they were integrated with theinformation able to guarantee adequate support to the future activities led topreserve the historical building. The results show that the BIM methodology canbe a key tool able to preserve the historical-architectural heritage thatcharacterizes Italian cities.