Bridge management system

[7][8][5] Researchers in the field of structural engineering have identified 4 main components for the implementation of a functional BMS:[1] Data and information referring to each life cycle step of bridges need to be collected and archived through a flexible approach, making possible to efficiently update and access them.

[1] Indeed, the inventory usually includes technical drawings of the original project design, written reports from periodical in-situ inspections, numerical observation series of measurements recorded by installed sensors but also geo-referenced data about the structure site as well as 3D scaled model that document the actual state of the bridge.

In particular, bridge inspections for the 3D reconstruction of a digital twin of the structure usually consists of survey campaigns using global navigation satellite system measurements, ground and drone-based photogrammetry and laser scanning.

In this case, the adoption of ground penetrating radar for detection of deterioration of the reinforcement in decks and infrared thermography for identification of delamination and degradation of bridge components is well documented in academic research and considered a complementary step to traditional visual inspection approaches.

[11] Moreover, a multi-temporal management of information referenced to specific portions of the bridge enables the possibility to define efficient time tables for material delivery planning, project progress monitoring and documentation, construction schedule improvement and workers and experts coordination.

While traditional method for simply relied on human evaluation, Computer Vision techniques taking advantage of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning semi-automatize the extraction of meaningful information from pictures taken during inspections.

Based on quantitative and qualitative data acquired during routine inspections and along the processing of information in the structural analyze phase, BMS users need to identify priority interventions through a dedicated maintenance plan.

This goal is achieved with the implementation of platforms and tools that enable stakeholders to explore data, results and observations and link them to detailed fact sheets reporting the health conditions of each structural elements of the bridge.

[19] These guidelines establish a multi-level approach for documenting bridge characteristics, assessing their health through visual inspection and damage identification, and determining their risk classification based on hazard, exposure and vulnerability derived from the previous steps.