On the Journey Toward Open 3D Data Exchanges in Bridge Design

Julie Rivera Shares Insights on BIM for Bridges and Structures Program in ASPIRE Magazine

Bridge design in the United States is increasingly relying on building information modeling, or BIM, to improve constructability, visualization and interdisciplinary coordination. But those creating and using these models — owners, designers, contractors, fabricators and more — have faced interoperability challenges if they do not use the same software. 

The BIM for Bridges and Structures Pooled Fund Program seeks to address this concern with a research effort funded by more than 20 state transportation agencies and the Federal Highway Administration. HDR was selected to lead the effort in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Transportation, the lead agency. Julie Rivera, a bridge program lead at HDR, and James Hauber, chief structural engineer at Iowa DOT, wrote about the program in the Fall 2024 issue of ASPIRE magazine. They described how the program is creating national open data standards that will allow different software applications to more easily exchange data, improving the efficiency of projects and opening the door to better asset management.

“Successful completion of a project of this complexity requires industry-leading expertise in bridge design as well as extensive knowledge of construction, fabrication, asset management, IFC development and technology deployment,” the authors wrote. “Standards established through this effort will transform how bridge designs are developed and managed for decades to come.”

Read the whole article, “BIM for Bridges and Structures Pooled Fund Program.”