Digitalization Processes and Bridge Information Modeling for Existing Bridges

Bridges constant assessment, monitoring and retrofitting are key aspects to prevent inadequate damage situations. Considering the importance of these processes, a new official guideline for Bridge evaluation, classification and monitoring has been issued in Italy. The usage of BIM methodology comes as a logical solution to store and manage all information related to the bridge surveillance process and create a unique database. In the present work, HBIM methodologies are implemented for the creation of a damage database and new approaches are tested for the application of the guidelines directly on the BIM environment. Using the dismantled structures of Largo Grosseto bridge as a case study and damage information previously recovered as input data, HBIM models are created using two different methodologies: Parametric modelling and Mesh-to-BIM process. Moreover, the utility of the database created is expanded thanks to the usage of visual programming tools. The evaluation of the modelling processes highlights the effectiveness of BIM for infrastructure monitoring and classification. The results obtained demonstrate the way towards a new BIM monitoring standard procedure for infrastructure surveillance processes.