3D procedural modeling of complex vaulted systems: Geometric rules vs SfM based modeling

Starting from the geometric genesis of simple and complex vaulted systems, the paper proposes a workflow developing an algorithmic model for the construction of 3D digital surface model of some vaulted systems. The writing of an algorithm allows us to obtain pavilion and cross vaults digital surface models. To test the effectiveness of the models obtained in the application of the algorithms to real case studies, the ongoing phase of the research involved the survey of some complex vaulted systems based on Light Detection And Raging (LiDAR) and Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques. The models obtained by entering the data derived from the survey in the algorithm, allow a comparison between the model derived from dense matching techniques and the algorithmic model. In particular, the results obtained from the analysis of a cross vault system present in a side gothic chapel of the church of Santa Lucia in Cagliari are presented.