Intelligent, sustainable and integrated system of management of structures

In Spain, the national road network comprises over 17.000 bridges and viaducts, besides those managed by local and regional administrations. Many of these structures are very old; however, it was not until the 90s of the XX century that maintenance awareness rose among the society. Inspections are currently carried out visually, on a manual basis, implying low effectiveness and high costs.

To tackle these issues the SISGES project was conceived and aimed at developing a smart management system capable of making rational decisions regarding the maintenance and repair of existing structures. The methodology that has been followed to achieve this goal is to study the current available technologies, develop a data management structure, develop a monitoring system for each structure, create a structural model while considering interoperability with BIM and finally, develop a management application/software to be used for both technical profile users and general managers.

The SISGES platform comprises remote inspection technology, which reduces the inspection times and costs while increasing workers’ safety; continuous monitoring technologies, registering displacements, vibrations, temperature and humidity; scanning technologies to create three- dimensional models of the structures and BIM technologies to assign each element with an attribute.

Overall, this makes an innovative and integrated infrastructure management system in line with available technologies and capabilities while maximizing the efficiency of inspection and monitoring for current and future bridges and viaducts.