**5. Conclusions**

This paper reports an effective procedure to obtain 3D models for HBIM and FEM environments. In addition, using the procedure described herein, it was also possible to model structures (as shown in the case study of the masonry bridge) that had thick vegetation covering part of them. However, the procedure required several manual steps and the use of multiple softwares. At present, no single software has been developed that allows this process to be tackled directly from a geomatics survey to modelling and subsequent transformation into an object useable in BIM or FEM.

In the construction of 3D models, a key role is played by geomatics surveying. In fact, the higher the quality with which a model is built (in terms of precision and structure details) the more suitable the model will be to be implemented within BIM and FEM software.

Lastly, parametric modelling with the Grasshopper tool (implemented in the Rhinoceros software) allowed us to efficiently parameterize the elements of the analysed structures. A further potential of this tool is related to the possible updating of the static condition of the structure. In other words, Grasshopper allows building suitable models for structural verification over time, i.e., in 4D. In addition, this tool allows creating surfaces capable of representing existing structures; therefore, once a model is obtained, it is possible to build structural reinforcements that can be applied to the structure.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, M.P., D.C. and A.R.G.; Methodology, M.P., D.C. and A.R.G.; Validation, M.P., D.C. and A.R.G.; Writing–review and editing, M.P., D.C. and A.R.G. (all authors contributed equally to the research and writing of the manuscript). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research was conducted with funds from the DICATECh of the Polytechnic of Bari (Italy).

**Acknowledgments:** We want to thanks the reviewers for their careful reading of the manuscript and their constructive remarks. This research was carried out in the project: PON "Ricerca e Innovazione" 2014-2020 A. I.2 "Mobilità dei Ricercatori" D.M. n. 407-27/02/2018 AIM "Attraction and International Mobility" (AIM1895471 – Line 1).

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
