From Reality Capture to Digital Twins: 3D Survey, HBIM, Reverse Engineering, and Reconstruction Workflows
DETAILS
CALL FOR PAPERS
From Reality Capture to Digital Twins: 3D Survey, HBIM, Reverse Engineering, and Reconstruction Workflows
Journal: Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission Deadline: 30 June 2026
Introduction
Recent advances in 3D survey technologies, computational modeling, and non-invasive diagnostics are reshaping research and conservation practices in archaeology and cultural heritage. High-resolution reality capture techniques — such as TLS, SfM, UAV-based survey, robotic multi-camera systems, and mobile digitization labs — are generating increasingly detailed datasets.
At the same time, developments in point cloud processing, reverse engineering, HBIM, geophysical prospection, and digital reconstruction are expanding the analytical and operational potential of these data. This Special Issue explores the methodological spectrum linking reality capture to digital twins — addressing both integrated workflows and focused advancements within specific domains.
Scope & Significance
This Special Issue welcomes contributions that critically examine how 3D acquisition, modeling, semantic enrichment, diagnostics, and simulation can support interpretation, conservation planning, risk assessment, and long-term monitoring of archaeological and cultural heritage sites.
By fostering dialogue between survey science, modeling technologies, geophysics, and conservation strategies, this Special Issue seeks to consolidate current research directions and define future pathways.
List of Topic Areas
Manuscripts are invited on themes including, but not limited to:
Advanced TLS and photogrammetry workflows and validation
Dense point cloud processing and reverse engineering
Scan-to-HBIM methodologies and semantic modeling
Digital anastylosis and evidence-based reconstruction
Geophysics — Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and 3D-based diagnostics
Integration of IoT and monitoring systems in digital heritage
Risk assessment and preventive conservation in digital environments
Bibliometric and theoretical perspectives on HBIM and digital twins
UAV-based survey and aerial photogrammetry for heritage documentation
Mobile digitization labs and robotic multi-camera systems in heritage contexts
Digital twins for cultural heritage — architecture, workflows, and applications
Semantic enrichment and ontologies for heritage data management
Simulation and predictive modeling for conservation planning
Long-term structural monitoring through digital heritage systems
Case studies of integrated 3D survey and digital reconstruction workflows
Guest Editors
Dr. Diego Ronchi (Contact for Topic Inquiries) Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche — Istituto di Scienze del Patrimonio Culturale, Napoli, Italy Email: Diego.ronchi@cnr.it
Dr. Matteo Lombardi National Research Council (CNR) Institute of Heritage Sciences (ISPC), Potenza, Italy
Dr. Marco Limongiello Department of Engineering, Pegaso Telematic University, Naples, Italy
Key Deadlines
Manuscript Submission Deadline: 30 June 2026 (Authors may submit at any time before the deadline)
Article Types Accepted
Original research articles
Application papers
Technical contributions
Case studies
Review articles
Conceptual papers
Submission Guidelines
Submit your manuscript via Editorial Manager, the official online submission system for Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. When submitting, select Article Type:
"VSI: 3D Survey to HBIM"
All submissions deemed suitable will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Upon editorial acceptance, articles will be published in the latest regular issue and simultaneously presented on the Special Issue webpage.
Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal can be found at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/digital-applications-in-archaeology-and-cultural-heritage
All submissions must be original and must not be under review elsewhere at the time of submission.
About the Journal
Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, published by Elsevier, is a peer-reviewed journal with a CiteScore of 4.1 dedicated to advancing research on the application of digital technologies in archaeology and cultural heritage. It supports open access publishing and provides an international platform for scholars and practitioners exploring 3D documentation, virtual reconstruction, digital conservation, remote sensing, and computational approaches to heritage recording and management.
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