Integration of BrIM and BMS to support bridge life-cycle management

Abstract

The implementation of Bridge Management Systems (BMS) dates back to the 1970s and its adoption is nowadays generalized worldwide. Initially, they were used only as a database but, in the last decades, BMS potential is being highlighted. Tools to perform data analysis, integrating performance prediction models, have been added to the most advanced BMS. These are essential to support bridge managers in scheduling their maintenance interventions thus assuring their functionality conforms to the predefined expectations. Most of the existing BMS are currently software tools able to integrate a set of stakeholders involved during the bridge management. Hence, the adaptation of BMS to a digital environment must consider that aspect. In this regard, choosing an information exchange format that allows taking BMS into a digital context yet maintaining the interoperability between different stakeholders and their tools of preference is mandatory. In the context of construction’s digitalization, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the main method being adopted. However, BIM was initially conceived for buildings, thus adaptation efforts are ongoing to also include other types of constructions, namely, civil infrastructures to which the bridges category belongs. This led to the appearance of the Bridge Information Modelling (BrIM) concept, which represents for bridges what BIM represents for buildings. The most widely used format in the BIM context for interoperability purposes is IFC. IFC is an open format that allows software vendor-independent data exchange. In this context, this paper presents an assessment of the existing knowledge about the applicability of the IFC for modelling bridge data. A review is made to verify the feasibility of using the current IFC version to describe the information contained in BMS. Main limitations are identified, and opportunities discussed, namely how the current IFC schema can be adapted to face the missing entities.