FHWA Bridge Information
Modeling Update Presented by: Mike Bartholomew, P.E. / CH2M HILL
for
AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges & Structures
T-19 Technical Committee for Software & Technology
Saratoga Springs, NY
April 20, 2015
Topics
FHWA Project Vision and Objectives
BrIM vs. BIM
Technical Review of What’s Been Done
Open Source Software Application
Further Development of BrIM Standards
Industry Outreach Program
What’s Next
FHWA Initiative
Part of Overall Project DTFH61-11-H-
00027 – Advancing Steel and Concrete
Bridge Technology to Improve
Infrastructure Performance
Task 12 – Technical Review and Industry
Outreach for Bridge Information Modeling
(BrIM) Standards
Project Team
FHWA – Brian Kozy, Ph.D., P.E.
Lehigh University – Chad Kusko, Ph.D.
CH2M HILL – Mike Bartholomew, P.E.
Other Coordination
AASHTO T-19 – Scot Becker, P.E.
National Institute of Building Sciences – Roger Grant Advancement of Bridge Information Modeling Standards
using existing Industry Foundation Class (IFC) standards
Project Visions
FHWA Seeking to promote the use of BrIM
as a Technology Advancement to the way
the Bridge Community conducts business
Vision – Exploit Full Potential of Computer
Technology by:
Transforming Current Practice into
Full Digital Delivery
Project Objectives
Provide Bridge Community with credible, robust
digital standards
Identify Bridge Component model definitions to
develop 3D BrIM models for “workhorse” bridges
Promote Interoperability between various
Software Platforms, Project Functions, and
Users
Encourage Software Vendors to develop
translators to automate data transfer in a
universally standard format
BrIM vs. BIM
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a mature system for Vertical Construction 90% usage in 2014 according to McGraw-Hill
Construction
Geometric Layout defined by a primarily rectangular Building Grid/Floor Level System
BrIM is in early stages and is geared towards Transportation or Horizontal Construction No information on industry usage
Geometry is defined by Horizontal Alignments, Vertical Profiles, and Transverse Cross-Slopes
Work Previously Completed
Also Part of Overall Project DTFH61-11-H-
00027 – Advancing Steel and Concrete
Bridge Technology to Improve Infrastructure
Performance
Task 12 – Bridge Data File Protocols for
Interoperability and Life Cycle Management
State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo
Stuart Chen, Ph.D., P.E.
Work Previously Completed
Project Deliverables included: Vol. 1 – Implementation Roadmap for BrIM
Vol. 2 – Information Delivery Manual (IDM) Bridge Life Cycle Process Map
Activities Project Stages (e.g. Prelim. Design, Final Design,
Fabrication)
Disciplines (e.g. Roadway Eng., Structural Eng., Estimating)
Exchange Model Definitions Coordination between Project Stages & Disciplines
Data Definitions
Vol. 3 – Model View Definition (MVD) Elements Example bridge models
Example bridge component models
Current Project Work
Extension of work completed by
engineering students at SUNY Buffalo
Involvement of practicing bridge engineers
Identify critical bridge components of
“workhorse bridges”
Promote BrIM through Outreach
Workshops & Webinars
Current Project Work
Focus on development of Bridge
Component Standards
Data definitions
Parametric dimensioning
Standardized data schema/format
Referencing component location/orientation
station, offset, elevation, cross-slope
Referencing textual data
material properties, inspection data
Graphical representation in an open source
software environment
Open Source Software
Application
OpenBrIM Viewer – Red Equation Corp.
Uses EXtended Markup Language (XML)
Engineering on Cloud – Internet Browser based
Works on Computers, Tablets, and Mobile Phones Internet Explorer version 11+
Google Chrome
Mac OSX
Apple IOS iPhones and Tablets
Android Phones and Tablets
Microsoft Phones and Tablets
OpenBrIM Viewer v3.0
URL: http://openbrim.appspot.com/
Anyone can register
OpenBrim Viewer Features
Geometric Alignment Objects
Includes Circular and Spiral Horizontal Curves
Parabolic Vertical Curves
Crown and Cross-Slope Superelevation
Component Objects located by:
Alignment Station, Offset, Elevation, and
Cross-Slope
OpenBrim Viewer Features
Component Objects constructed
geometrically by:
Extruding a cross section object along a line
object
Lines may be straight or curved to follow alignment
Can use a simple circular cross section
Defining a planar surface object with a thickness
Connecting two planar surface objects to create a
volume object
Creating Standard Objects
Anyone can create a standard BrIM object
State DOT’s, Consultants, Contractors, Precast Concrete & Steel Fabrication Plants, Suppliers, Software Vendors
Software Vendors responsible for developing translators to graphically display and read/write BrIM object data with their application
Standards submittals will be subjected to an acceptance process, then stored on a server database maintained by FHWA (or representative)
System relies on active bridge industry participation
3-D Object View
Section Variable Definition
Plan Variable Definition
OpenBrim CADD Cross Section
OpenBrIM Standard Code/
Section View
OpenBrIM Standard Code/
Plan View
Further Developments
Pier/Abutment Control Line Alignment
Definitions
Girder Working Line Alignment Definitions
Deck, Girder, and Haunch Variations
through Superelevation Transitions
Prestressing Strand Pattern Definition
Reinforcing Steel Bar Bending Definitions
Industry Outreach Webinar
Topics:
Overview of projects and FHWA goals
BrIM Modeling Extensions and Applications
Bridge Modeling Evaluation – IFC and other approaches
Q&A/Discussion
Industry Outreach Workshop
IBC Workshop W-5
Bridge Information Modeling,
Standardization & Interoperability
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh, PA
Thursday, June 11 – 8 AM to noon EDT
IBC Workshop W-5 Agenda
FHWA Vision and Role – Brian Kozy/FHWA
Owner Perspective/AASHTO T-19 – Scot Becker/WisDOT
FHWA Technical BrIM developments to date (OpenBrIM Viewer Demo) – Mike Bartholomew/CH2M HILL
Audience interaction/roundtable
Modeling standards gap analysis and review of IFC – Roger Grant/NIBS
Discussion and Q&A
Lessons learned and future directions of BIM in Steel Industry – Luke Faulkner/AISC
Lessons learned and future directions of BIM in Concrete Industry – Pete Carrato/Bechtel
Audience interaction/roundtable
What’s Next?
Soliciting feedback from the Bridge
Community
2nd Workshop being planned in August in
Washington, DC
Evaluation of OpenBrIM vs. IFC extension
of BIM
Identify future work, including a
management plan for standards storage
Questions?
Thank you for your attention
Mike Bartholomew/CH2M HILL
