Integration of Information and Automation Technologies in Bridge Engineering and Management

Abstract

The current U.S. practice of information transfer during the bridge design, fabrication, construction, and operation processes is fragmented. These processes involve repeated manual transcription of data, which is error prone; approvals (e.g., of shop drawings) that are time-consuming; and formats that beg for standardization to facilitate electronic information transfer. Without such standards, electronic information exchange is impossible. This paper surveys the shortcomings of current piecemeal applications of information and automation technologies. It then explores the promise of parametric three-dimensional bridge information modeling as an enabling technology for accelerating the design and delivery of bridges and articulates aspects of the envisioned accelerated bridge delivery process for two purposes: to provide a glimpse of current technologies available to streamline the process of bridge delivery and to articulate anticipated advances that can be expected to facilitate accelerated bridge delivery. In lieu of a complete industrywide modeling of bridge information in a standardized format, savvy bridge design–build teams can be expected to obtain a competitive advantage by integration of computer-aided design, computer-aided engineering, and computer-integrated manufacturing, which will result in rapid and better-quality project delivery and subsequent cost-effective life-cycle management. As a result, all three fundamental objectives of bridge delivery would be expected to be attained: higher quality, faster delivery, and greater economy.

Sustainability-Based Lifecycle Management for Bridge Infrastructure Using 6D BIM

“…Chen and Shirolé [17] specified the benefits of using 3D bridge information modelling compared to traditional 2D drafting. These benefits include the fact that tedious time-consuming error-prone manual data re-entry can be avoided, and all product information is located within the same file for easier information sharing during the whole lifecycle of the project.…”

Bridge Management to the Year 2020 and Beyond

“…Data analysis is the processing of data using analysis routines-analytics that produce output-results in terms of reports or summaries to help managers make balanced and well-supported bridge management decisions. As indicated earlier, there are four main phases in the life cycle of a bridge: design, construction, operations (e.g., load rating, permitting, and routing), and bridge program management (e.g., planning, programming, and implementing of maintenance and repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities) (3)(4)(5)(6). Current BMSs contain mainly the bridge inventory data-information describing the bridge and bridge inspection data-information describing bridge condition.…”

“…The bridge industry is poised to do the same. Recent emergence of a "cradle-to-grave" integrated and holistic approach through BrIM has opened up new horizons for the future of bridge management (3)(4)(5)(6). BrIM adapts advances in automation and communications technologies and deploys them to accommodate integrated management of all phases of the bridge life cycle using a centralized (or distributed and linked together for electronic data transfer) data pool.…”

“…Under the auspices of AASHTO, NCHRP developed a generic network-This paper reviews recent advances in the automation and communications technologies that will significantly advance the tools available to manage bridges for their entire life cycle. It reviews the recent emergence of "cradle-to-grave" integrated and comprehensive approaches through Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) (3)(4)(5)(6), which has opened up new horizons for the future of bridge management. This paper examines and projects, to the year 2020 and beyond, the substantive impact of technological advances, as well as of this innovative concept, on the coordinated management of the various distinct phases in the bridge life cycle.…”

Overview of BIM application for bridge - highway and infrastructure projects in Viet Nam

“…BIM is widely becoming a competent tool in the construction industry and it's applied to the entire life cycle of buildings [8,9,[10][11][12]. BIM is not only just a geometrical representation of a building but also an intelligent virtual 3D model of the building as it contains all information about every component for its whole life cycle [13,14,15].…”