Integration of Building Information Modeling Interoperability into Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Bridge Substructures

Acceptance of building information modeling (BIM) throughout the bridge industry is widely recognized as inevitable. However, while adoption of BIM technologies has proliferated throughout the building industry, advances pertaining to BIM for bridges and other structures remain underway. The present study aims to increase the potential for integrating BIM processes into software packages that possess capabilities for nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) of bridge substructures. Moreover, the present study is intended to galvanize stakeholders within the area of soil–structure interaction (SSI) modeling and analysis to more effectively participate in interoperability workflows as part of bridge design. A proof-of-concept exporter tool was formulated in a modular manner to robustly export finite element model data stored in a selected SSI analysis package into the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard, with the IFC standard chosen as the target schema owing to its widespread usage in the construction industry. The ability of the exporter tool to—with fidelity—convert a model from the selected analysis software to the IFC standard is showcased through an illustrative case study. In carrying out the case study, collections of geotechnical modeling parameters were identified that, while being common to numerous nonlinear SSI analysis packages, are not present in the existing IFC schema. Inclusion of these parameters in the IFC schema is proposed, serving to: 1) lower the barrier for entry of SSI modeling and analysis stakeholders to take part in interoperability processes and 2) encourage adoption of novel BIM processes in the bridge industry.