BIM FROM LASER CLOUDS AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS: COMBINING STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND GEOMETRIC COMPLEXITY

This paper describes the use of BIM models derived from point clouds for structural simulation based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Although BIM interoperability has reached a significant level of maturity, the density of laser point clouds provides very detailed BIM models that cannot directly be used in FEA software. The rationalization of the BIM towards a new finite element model is not a simple reduction of the number of nodes. The interconnections between the different elements and their materials require a particular attention: BIM technology includes geometrical aspects and structural considerations that allow one to understand and replicate the constructive elements and their mutual interaction. The information must be accurately investigated to obtain a finite element model suitable for a complete and detailed structural analysis. The aim of this paper is to prove that a drastic reduction of the quality of the BIM model is not necessary. Geometric data encapsulated into dense point clouds can be taken into consideration also for finite element analysis. [GRAPHICS] The phases of the work: (a) point cloud acquisition/registration, (b) creation of the BIM from point clouds by preserving geometric complexity, (c) generation of the finite element model with tetrahedral meshes, (d) structural analysis with the new model. The case study is Castel Masegra, a castle in Sondrio (Italy).