An Automated Information Modeling Workflow for Existing Bridge Inspection Management

The safety, conservation, and efficient management of existing road bridges have assumed a key role in recent years due to the strategic importance of these structures for local territories and their exposure to natural and anthropogenic risks. Many assets are in a state of degradation due to adverse environmental conditions, unforeseen loads in the design phase, and lack of maintenance, with often dramatic consequences. In response to these critical issues, integrated approaches based on the exploitation of different digital technologies are emerging to support inspection, monitoring, and maintenance activities. This paper proposes a digital workflow for bridge inspection management, based on the integration of information modeling, online databases, and automated data exchange and updating. The designed workflow enables the creation of a dynamic information model that evolves with the time-dependent data collected during periodic inspections by means of a Visual Programming Language. The data, stored in an online database, are filtered, analyzed, and dynamically associated with model elements, ensuring consistency, traceability, and reduction in manual input errors. The workflow was validated through a field application to an existing bridge, demonstrating its effectiveness in automating information management and providing the basis for the development of an interoperable and scalable platform for the digital management of infrastructure assets.