Reverse Engineering Workflows for the Structural Assessment of Historical Buildings

Supported by advancements in 3D scanning and parametric modeling tools within the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors, reverse engineering processes for cultural heritage (CH) have recently gained popularity. While many studies have focused on simple 3D reconstructions to create virtual environments, a specialized subarea of this research field has targeted more specific digitization objectives, including, among many, structural analysis of building components. This emerging field has not yet been systematically developed due to the intrinsic challenges associated with CH. Within this context, this paper proposes and describes a reverse engineering-based method that utilizes terrestrial laser scanning and visual programming (VP) to analyze displacements and deformations that occurred over time in historical masonry buildings and applied it to the timber trusses, masonry facades, and columns of two selected Italian case study buildings. This method allows for comparing the surveyed condition of these components, considered the “deformed state”, with their ideal configuration, reconstructed using VP algorithms, considered the “original state”. The outcomes of this comparison facilitate the investigation of the components’ structural behavior and support joint considerations to assess the overall condition of the investigated building, providing helpful knowledge for guiding structural improvement interventions.