Software used for bridges and structures is numerous and varied. Some perform specific tasks and functions in analyzing a bridge (such as splice analysis); while others perform a broader analysis over the entire structure. State agencies and consultants struggle to determine which software best addresses their analysis philosophies and project delivery needs. They are burdened with the task of manually entering in the description of the structure, or model for different software used in the analysis. Furthermore, state agencies perform quality control checks and test software packages by employing different software that essentially perform the same task in order to compare the results and establish software acceptance criteria. In addition, most state agencies are not able to keep current software and hardware up to date. These issues could be addressed by using a standardized format that allow bridge and structure modeling be used within multiple software programs and different hardware operating systems during the life of the asset.  Furthermore, this standardized format would be included in other cross function and agency wide models (i.e. Civil Integrated Management (CIM) solutions)

 

The objectives of this project are: (1) synthesize the current state of software used for bridge and structure modelling including formats and requirements; and (2) propose recommendations for future research to develop a common modelling format (i.e., one model for a bridge or a structure) that can be used as a standard input for different software during the life of the asset.