The combination of geomatic approaches and operational modal analysis to improve calibration of finite element models: A case of study in Saint Torcato Church (Guimarães, Portugal)

•Numerical study applied to historical building with non-intrusive sensors.•Structure from Motion, allows generating realistic and complete 3D models.•The methodology presented transforms the data from geotechnologies into CAD models.•Operational modal analysis for finite element model calibration.•Modelled features from Structure from Motion can improve the dynamical response.

This paper present a set of procedures based on laser scanning, photogrammetry (Structure from Motion) and operational modal analysis in order to obtain accurate numeric models which allows identifying architectural complications that arise in historical buildings. In addition, the method includes tools that facilitate building-damage monitoring tasks. All of these aimed to obtain robust basis for numerical analysis of the actual behavior and monitoring task.This case study seeks to validate said methodologies, using as an example the case of Saint Torcato Church, located in Guimãres, Portugal.