An historical building information modelling approach for the preventive conservation of historical constructions: Application to the Historical Library of Salamanca

This work presents an approach for the preventive conservation of historical constructions by means of Historical Building Information Modelling (HBIM) strategies. To this end, the methodology exploits the latest advances in inspection protocols, digitalization tools -by means of the novel back-pack mapping systems- as well as wireless monitoring networks. All this information is integrated in the HBIM environment by using ad-hoc families and interoperable communication protocols that allow obtaining a complete knowledge of the conservation status of the site. Additionally, the approach uses key performance indicators in order to evaluate the environmental conditions of the different assets presented in the site. All these features have been validated in one of the most representative heritage buildings in Spain: The General Historical Library of the University of Salamanca. •A novel HBIM platform for heritage preventive conservation is presented.•The combination of IoT and remote sensing strategies is exploited for conservation.•KPI has been introduced inside the HBIM environment.•A wearable mobile mapping system is used for generate the as-built model.•The protocol is validated in one of the most outstanding heritage building in Spain.