A methodology for integrating the CIDOC-CRMba ontology into the IFC schema to support spatial analysis in archaeological heritage

Abstract

The paper introduces a methodology for mapping the CIDOC-CRMba ontology into the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema to enhance building reuse. The methodology leverages semantic enrichment of three-dimensional (3D) reality-based objects, incorporating CIDOC-CRM relationships for advanced metadata. The proposed approach has been tested on the Roman Theater of Hadrianopolis in Sofratikë (Albania). The results demonstrate increased interoperability, semantic robustness, and scalability in Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) workflows when applying openBIM standards. Furthermore, the obtained IFC data library A²Heritage bridges the gap between object-based schemas and ontology-driven approaches, providing a standardized framework for managing cultural heritage (CH) data across disciplines.