Integrated software platform for the structural health control of historical constructions and numerical model calibration (HH-Structures)

Currently, BIM systems applied to new building construction are highly developed, standardised and widely implemented. However, this situation contrasts with the existing difficulties in their application to the field of built heritage, where important limitations persist. Among the main shortcomings is the lack of commercial or end-user tools to efficiently structure the information needed for the management and assessment of structural health in historic bridges. In this context, it is essential to enable robust bi-directional communication between 3D models generated in Building Information Modelling (BIM) environments and structural analysis software based on the Finite Element Method (FEM), thus promoting interoperability between platforms. Furthermore, to reduce the impact of uncertainties inherent in the modelling of in-service structures, it is essential to complement numerical models with experimental data and to apply advanced calibration methodologies. In response to these challenges, HH-Structures, a comprehensive platform for structural health monitoring of historic bridges, is presented. This platform combines non-destructive techniques with automated numerical model calibration processes, and enables the interoperable exchange of information between BIM environments and FEM analysis software, in order to provide rigorous support for structural analysis of heritage constructions.