OpenBIM Framework for a Collaborative Historic Preservation System

The authors have developed a novel system framework for a historic preservation system utilising open standards and open source tools. The framework enables the integration of open standard 3D models and GIS in a virtual environment (VE). It also allows the storage and harvesting of data via an open source web-based central repository. The framework is designed for bi-directional interoperability when utilised for monument tracking, preservation, conservation, re-excavation, etc. To date, no such system framework exists for the development and management of historic monuments using open standards e57 for terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data, the industry foundation classes (IFC) for 3D semantic rich models, and CityGML for integrating IFC and GIS in a VE. The web-based VE is accessed from the BimServer and envisaged for monitoring monument erosion, movement, and damage to monuments by human activity or nature, collaboration between different industry actors to share knowledge, experience, and expertise globally, etc.