Study On Bridge Information Modelling(BrIM) Implemented Framework In Design And Construction Stages

With the development of human’s society, innovative ideas, new technology and advanced materials become more and more important in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. Based on the latest computer science, information technology and management science, Building Information Modelling (BIM) shows a great superiority that not only includes the idea of whole life design, but contains some parametric and collaborative concept and tools. Thus, BIM has drawn a great attention in the AEC industry in recent years. This paper tries to extend the concept of BIM to cover bridge engineering and includes3main parts as follows:The first part summarizes BIM’s connotation, characteristics, value of application and development in both China and overseas. Then the application value of BIM into bridge engineering and the corresponding obstacles have been discussed.Based on the core concept of BIM, the second part analyzes the characteristics of BIM applying into bridge engineering and discusses the technical application of BIM in the life-cycle of bridges. Then taking the Blackwater Bridge and the Houzihe Bridge as the engineering background, the corresponding BIM models are created and a BIM based design process for bridge engineering is summarized.The third part proposes a new BIM framework for bridge design and construction stages, which includes a real project’s overall planning process, a bridge life-cycle information management model, a core process, a project delivery in design and construction stages, etc.Currently, due to many limits and restrictions in BIM theory, BIM software technology, management technology, etc., there still exist many obstacles to achieve a high-level of BIM value in bridge engineering. Nevertheless, BIM takes the advantage of information technology and the idea of collaboration and is an advanced technology in AEC industry. It provides the idea of "model-based" instead of "drawing-based" and makes gradual improvement of BIM model as the core work and fully take the advantages of collaboration, which helps enhance the design and construction quality, effectively reduce engineering cost and is the future direction of AEC development.