Current practice of paper-based information transfer during the bridge design/fabrication/construction process is inefficient. The process is bogged down by repeated error-prone manual transcription of data, time-consuming approvals (e.g., of shop drawings), and insufficient format standardization for electronic data interchange (EDI) for information transfer. “Better, faster, more economical” delivery of steel and concrete bridges requires more complete integration of 3D modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). The key innovation here is that 3D product models, unlike 2D drawings, provide a single central repository for all shared project data. If something changes, it changes once in the central 3D model and the effects of that change are broadcast automatically to affected stakeholders with access to that model information. All design and construction documentation is managed coherently under one umbrella. The anticipated usable product from this investigation is a workable Bridge Information Modeling (BIM) approach, with documented guidelines for good 3D–centric practice, to integrated design and construction for improved quality, faster delivery, and more economical bridges. The final report is available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS # PB2007-107319).
