Conservation data parameters for BIM-enabled heritage asset management

Abstract

Key BIM concepts such as parametric modelling, database formulation and structured information management could offer huge benefits and efficiencies to the built historic environment in the operation and maintenance phase (O&M) of a building's lifecycle (lifecycle BIM), such as heritage asset management, and particularly conservation repair and maintenance (CRM) programming. Despite these potential benefits, practical examples of the use of BIM for O&M in a heritage context are limited in the published literature. This paper considers known barriers to the general implementation of lifecycle BIM, in particular the identification of critical information requirements, and introduces an Antarctic case study that sought to establish a framework of data parameters, limited specifically to BIM-enabled heritage asset management. Research findings suggest that while developing a framework of conservation data parameters is a relatively simple task, it is the retrospective compilation of historic building information for the development of a structured Asset Information Model (AIM) that presents more of a challenge. Furthermore, it is highlighted that adoption of the information management process is critically affected by socio-technical dimensions, and that working practices within the heritage sector need to be carefully aligned to a BIM philosophy for successful implementation. The key challenges and findings of this research should be considered when developing guidance for the implementation of BIM-enabled heritage asset management.