Digital Documentation of Element Condition for Bridge Evaluation

Bridge condition inspection data provides critical and rich information for assessing structural condition. Currently, the majority of bridge evaluation methods use printed checklists, and their interpretation is labor intensive, subject to personal judgment, and prone to error. To realize the full potential of infrastructure inspections, there is a need to automate the data management process. This research project proposes to use Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) technology, which enables management of information in a three-dimensional (3D) environment. This environment combines a 3D representation of the infrastructure, and allows the integration of inspection data, such as the presence of damages, types of damages, severity, and localization. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become the standard for vertical construction projects, and the lessons learned is now being transferred to horizontal projects such as highways and bridges. Although the principles, methods, and software are very similar, different acronyms such as Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), 3D Engineered Models, Civil Integrated Management (CIM), Bridge Information Model (BrIM) etc. are used to define BIM for horizontal projects. In this proposal, we use Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) acronym to refer to the database that integrates a 3D bridge model and bridge element condition data. Using the proposed BrIM, information can be automatically queried, sorted, and evaluated, which will substantially improve infrastructure management operations. This will result in reducing costs associated with infrastructure management, and improving the overall quality of our infrastructure by enabling more effective maintenance and repairs.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $59780.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT12-G-UTC07

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Institute for Transportation Studies
  2711 S. Loop Drive, Suite 4700, Program for Sustainable Pavement Engineering and Research (PROSPER)
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8864
• Principal Investigators:

  Laflamme, Simon

  Turkan, Yelda

• Start Date: 20130701
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20141231
• Source Data: RiP Project 34769

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Condition surveys; Construction projects; Digital communication systems; Information technology; Structural analysis; Virtual reality
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge information modeling
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01487963
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT12-G-UTC07
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 24 2013 1:01AM