Terrestrial laser scanning is a widely used technology to digitise archaeological, architectural
and cultural heritage. This allows for modelling the assets’ real condition in comparison with
traditional data acquisition methods. This paper, based on the case study of the basilica in the Baelo
Claudia archaeological ensemble (Tarifa, Spain), justifies the need of accurate heritage modelling
against excessively simplified approaches in order to support structural safety analysis. To do this,
after validating the 3Dmeshing process frompoint cloud data, the semi-automatic digital reconstitution
of the basilica columns is performed. Next, a geometric analysis is conducted to calculate the structural
alterations of the columns. In order to determine the structural performance, focusing both on the
accuracy and suitability of the geometric models, static and modal analyses are carried out by means of
the finite element method (FEM) on three different models for the most unfavourable column in terms
of structural damage: (1) as-built (2) simplified and (3) ideal model without deformations. Finally,
the outcomes show that the as-built modelling enhances the conservation status analysis of the 3D
heritage city (in terms of realistic compliance factor values), although further automation still needs to
be implemented in the modelling process
