The future of BIM and Bridge Management Systems

Abstract

<p>It is foreseeable that in not so distant future, Building Information Models (BIM) of both newly built and existing bridges will be available. These models can and will be included into the Bridge Management System (BMS) and will significantly enhance the quantity of useful information in future BMS. Apart from exact semantic and spatial specification, BIM can embed realistic structural system of a bridge as well as the relevant load situations. The evaluation of the reliability or safety/serviceability would be therefore possible quasi, on-the-fly within the future BMS, provided that the observations and results from SHM can be adequately integrated in BIM. In principle, the inspection results can be directly captured in the BIM using photogrammetry or some other procedure. Cracks, spalling, deformation, and other defects will be a part of a BIM, which in the most cases alter the BIM geometry.</p><p>The data stored in future BMS include also other changes that a bridge experience during its life span. This includes strengthening, widening, seismic retrofit and other structural changes. In short fBMS is similar to the 6D BIM or Asset Information Model, which continues to be updated during the whole service life of a bridge.</p><p>The paper discusses the BIM requirements of owner and operators and shows where these deviate from design and construction needs. It presents conceptual framework for integration of BIM in BMS developed by the authors in recent years.</p>

Defining a Digital Strategy in a BIM Environment to Manage Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridges in the Context of Italian Regulation

“…Furthermore, specific tools, namely bridge management systems (BMS), can also provide decision support for the entire life-cycle of a bridge. In this direction, several studies [2,8,9,24,25,50,58] consider a possible integration between BMS, BIM methodologies, and other technologies as well, such as advanced computing and imaging techniques, with the aim of improving reliability and efficiency in bridge management [2,52,59,60]. As far as existing bridges are concerned, complete digitalization is necessary with the goal of supporting the management and maintenance of specific characteristics over time.…”

“…The information that is generated and exchanged by means proprietary formats obviously guides the user towards specific solutions. Meanwhile, in openBIM, digital solutions developed with several open standards in mind-such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), Model View Definition (MVD), Information Delivery Manual (IDM), and so on-can enable and support the open exchange of information among all the professionals involved on a project [10,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. However, the definition of BIM models should be carried out according to the widespread 'use case' concept, which establishes a common language for BIM applications throughout all lifecycle phases.…”

RPAS-Based Framework for Simplified Seismic Risk Assessment of Italian RC-Bridges

“…These applications induce strong innovations in the processes of management, maintenance and decommissioning of civil works. In this regard, the interest of the various industrial sectors in obtaining intelligent mockups of complex civil structures suitable to being navigated and digitally inspected is constantly growing [44]. On the other hand, the archiving of huge amounts of data, which could be easily interrogable and interpretable, brings the census operations to an advanced state of control aimed at an effective management of the entire portfolio of structures.…”

Development of BrIM-Based Bridge Maintenance System for Existing Bridges

“…In the literature, digitized BMS platforms use commercial BIM software such as Revit and Midas CIM [10,11,15], which may lead to data exchange problems among different software technologies [16,17]. Thus, most studies have used IFCs to convey BrIM from the construction to the maintenance phase [8,9,14,[18][19][20][21]. However, these methods are only valid when BIM technology is introduced to the target bridges.…”