Interoperability level for bridge structural analysis from the IFC data interpretation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/gtp.v19i3.227401

Keywords:

BIM, Bridges, Infrastructure, Data exchange

Abstract

Importing IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data from bridge structural models into structural analysis software is common in the BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflow. However, some software tools still do not import IFC data in the extended version that covers bridge models. In addition, there is a lack of a holistic framework for determining indicators that effectively represent the interoperability level for bridge structural analysis. To prevent data loss in bridge models, this work proposes a tool for interpreting IFC data related to the semantics of bridge elements, geometry, and material properties. A new methodology was developed to quantitatively evaluate an interoperability level for bridges structural analysis, considering the relevance of the imported information by defining numerical weight values. Then, a new framework was proposed for determining each data flow’s Interoperability Level for Bridge Structural Analysis (ILBSA). The interoperability level results showed that commercial bridge structural analysis software requires significant advances in interpreting IFC data.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Guilherme Palla Teixeira, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    PhD student in Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Viçosa (2021 - 2025) in Construction Engineering. He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (2015) and a master's degree in Structures from the Federal University of Viçosa (2018). He was a substitute teacher at the Federal University of Viçosa (2015-2016). He currently works as a teacher at CEFET/MG - Unidade Varginha-MG. He has experience in structures and information modeling in BIM, with an emphasis on infrastructure works.

  • José Carlos Lopes Ribeiro, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    Bachelor (2000) in Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Master's (2004) and doctorate degree (2009) in Structural Engineering from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. He is currently Associate Professor at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa and member of the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering (PPGEC). He has experience in Civil Engineering, acting mainly on the following subjects: Strength of materials in fire conditions, Behavior of materials in fire situation, Finite element method, Mechanic of structures.

  • Kléos Magalhães Lenz César Júnior, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    Bachelor's at Engenharia Civil from Universidade Federal de Viçosa (1988), master's at Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal Fluminense (1995) and PhD at Engenharia Civil from University of Leeds (2007). Has experience in Reinforced Concrete Structures and Computer Science, acting on the following subjects: BIM, IFC, Parametric modeling, programming languages, Graphic computing, reinforced concrete structures and Urban Drainwater systems.

  • Lucas Andrade Nunes, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    He holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Centro Universitário FAMINAS (Muriaé-MG campus) and a master's degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). He is currently a PhD student in the Civil Engineering Postgraduate Program at UFV and a lecturer in the Civil Engineering course at Centro Universitário FAMINAS. 

  • José Maria Franco Carvalho, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    Civil Engineer from the Federal University of Viçosa - UFV (2004), Master in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Ouro Preto - UFOP (2007), and PhD in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Ouro Preto with a sandwich period at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Berlin - BAM (2019). He is currently an adjunct professor at UFV, a PQ-2 CNPq researcher, coordinator of the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering at UFV, one of the leaders of the Research Group on Sustainable and Innovative Construction SICon - CNPq (UFV), a researcher in the CNPq research groups RECICLOS (UFOP) ATIVE (UFOP), DEC UFV Estruturas (UFV), and TechBIM (UFV). He has experience in Civil Engineering, with an emphasis on Construction Materials and Structures, working mainly on the following subjects: sustainable materials, eco-efficient concrete, reuse of industrial waste, cement technology, cementitious matrices, repair and rehabilitation of bridges, and bridge management.

  • Diôgo Silva Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Viçosa (Current). Graduated in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). Master's in Structural Engineering from the São Carlos School of Engineering (EESC-USP). PhD in Structural Engineering from the São Carlos School of Engineering (EESC-USP). Has experience in the design of reinforced concrete structures, prestressed concrete, bridges, and viaducts. He has carried out research and conducted work involving the reinforcement of structures with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers; structural elements of reinforced concrete foundations; evaluation of existing structures: diagnosis and prognosis of pathogens, non-destructive testing, design of structural reinforcement and assessment of residual bearing capacity, mainly of bridge structures.

  • Gustavo Henrique Nalon, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

    PhD, Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2024.MSc., Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2020.B.S., Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2017.Sandwich B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Evansville, USA, 2015.Research interests: concrete structures, structural masonry, structural fire behavior, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), sustainable construction, nanomodified construction materials, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) applied to engineering education.

References

AMANN, J., FLURL, M., JUBIERRE, J.R., BORRMANN, A. An approach to describe arbitrary transition curves in an IFC-based alignment product data model, in: The 15th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (2014), Orlando, pp. 933–941. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413616.116.

AMANN, J., BORRMANN, A., SINGER, D. Extension of the upcoming IFCAlignment standard with cross sections for road design, in: Proceeding of the International Conference on Civil and Building Engineering Informatics (2015), Tokyo, pp. 22–24.

BISWAS, H.K., SIM, T.Y., LAU, S.L. Impact of Building Information Modelling and Advanced Technologies in the AEC Industry: A Contemporary Review and Future Directions, Journal of Building Engineering 82 (2024) pp. 108165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.108165.

BORRMANN, A., BEETZ, J., KOCH, C., LIEBICH, T. Industry Foundation Classes: A standardized data model for the vendor-neutral exchange of digital building models. Building Information Modeling: Technology foundations and industry practice (2018), pp 81–126.

BORRMANN, A., BERKHAN, V. Principles of Geometric Modeling, in: Building Information Modeling (2018); Borrmann, A., König, M.,Koch, C., Beetz, J., Eds.; Springer: Cham, Switzerland, pp. 27–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92862-3.

BORRMANN, A., MUHIC, S., HYVÄRINEN, J., CHIPMAN, T., JAUD, S., CASTAING, C., DUMOULIN, C., LIEBICH, T., MOL, L. The IFC-BRIDGE Project – Extending the IFC standard to enable high-quality exchange of bridge information models, in: Proceedings of the European Conference on Computing in Construction, European Council on Computing in Construction (2019), Chania, pp. 377–386. https://doi.org/10.35490/EC3.2019.193.

CEROVSEK, T. A review and outlook for a “Building Information Model” (BIM): A multi-standpoint framework for technological development, Advanced Engineering Informatics 25 (2011), pp. 224–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2010.06.003.

CHEN, P.H., CUI, L., WAN, C., YANG, Q., TING, S.K., TIONG, R.L.K. Implementation of IFC-based web server for collaborative building design between architects and structural engineers, Automation in Construction 14 (2005) pp. 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2004.08.013.

DENG, X.Y., CHANG, T.-Y.P. Creating structural model from IFC-based architectural model, in: Proceedings of the Joint CIB W78, W102, ICCCBE, ICCC, and DMUCE International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering (2006), Montreal, pp. 3687–3695.

EL DEBS, M.K., Pontes de concreto com ênfase na aplicação de elementos pré-moldados, 1st edition, Oficina de Textos (2021) (ISBN 978-65-86235-31-9).

GAO, G., LIU, Y.-S., WU, J.-X., GU, M., YANG, X.-K., LI, H.-L., IFC Railway: A Semantic and Geometric Modeling Approach for Railways based on IFC, in: 16th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (2016), Osaka, pp. 1188–1195.

GIRARDET, A., BOTON, C. A parametric BIM approach to foster bridge project design and analysis, Automation in Construction 126 (2021), pp. 103679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103679.

HASSANIEN SERROR M., INOUE, J., ADACHI, Y., FUJINO, Y. Shared computer-aided structural design model for construction industry (infrastructure), CAD Computer Aided Design 40 (2008), pp. 778–788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2007.07.003.

HU, H., CHEN, S., SRIKONDA, R., ALI, N. Development of alignment-based parametric data exchange schema for bridge geometry, Transportation Research Record 2460 (2014), pp. 22–30. https://doi.org/10.3141/2460-03.

HU, Z.Z., ZHANG, X.Y., WANG, H.W., KASSEM, M. Improving interoperability between architectural and structural design models: An industry foundation classes-based approach with web-based tools, Automation in Construction 66 (2016), pp. 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.02.001.

JAUD, Š., ESSER, S., BORRMANN, A., WILKSTRÖM, L., MUHIC, S., MIRTSCHIN, J. A critical analysis of linear placement in IFC models, in: European Conference on Product and Process Modeling (2021), Moscow, pp. 1–8. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003191476.

JEPSEN, M.S., DAMKILDE, L. A direct and fully general implementation of influence lines/surfaces in finite element software, Advances in Engineering Software 120 (2016), pp. 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2016.04.006.

JI, Y., BEETZ, J., BONSMA, P., NISBET, N., KATZ, C., BORRMANN, A. Integration of Parametric Geometry into IFC-Bridge, Proceedings of the 23rd European Conference Forum Bauinformatik (2011), Cork, pp. 1–8.

JI, Y., BORRMANN, A., OBERGRIEBER, M. Exchange of parametric bridge models using a neutral data format, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering 27.6 (2012), pp. 593–606. https://doi.org/10.1061/41182(416)65.

JIANG, S., FENG, X., ZHANG, B., SHI, J., Semantic enrichment for BIM: Enabling technologies and applications, Advanced Engineering Informatics 56 (2023) pp. 101961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2023.101961.

JUSTO, A., LAMAS, D., SANCHEZ-RODRIGUEZ, A., SOILÁN, M., RIVEIRO, B. Generating IFC-compliant models and structural graphs of truss bridges from dense point clouds, Automation in Construction 149 (2023), pp. 104786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104786.

KARAMAN, S., CHEN, S., RATNAGARAN, B. Three-dimensional parametric data exchange for curved steel bridges, Transportation Research Record (2013), pp. 27–34. https://doi.org/10.3141/2331-03.

KHATTRA, S., PUNJAB, I., SINGH, H. Generating Structural Model through Automatic Data Extraction using Openbim Technology, International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology 11 (2020) pp. 602–613. https://doi.org/10.34218/IJARET.11.7.2020.060.

KRIJNEN, T., NOARDO, F., OHORI, K.A., LEDOUX, H., STOTER, J. Validation and Inference of Geometrical Relationships in IFC, in: 37th CIB W78 Conference (2020), São Paulo, pp. 98–111. https://doi.org/10.46421/2706-6568.37.2020.paper008.

KUMAR, B., CAI, H., HASTAK, M. An assessment of benefits of using BIM on an infrastructure project, American Society of Civil Engineers (2017) pp. 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784481219.008.

KWON, T.H., PARK, S.I., JANG, Y.H., LEE, S.H. Design of railway track model with three-dimensional alignment based on extended industry foundation classes, Applied Sciences 10 (2020), pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10103649.

LAI, H., DENG, X. Interoperability analysis of ifc-based data exchange between heterogeneous BIM software, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management 24 (2018), pp. 537–555. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2018.6132.

LEE, S.H., KIM, B.G. IFC extension for road structures and digital modeling, Procedia Engineering (2011), pp. 1037–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.130.

LEE, S.-H., PARK, S.I., PARK, J., SEO, K.-W. Open BIM-based Information Modeling of Railway Bridges and its Application Concept, in: International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering, ASCE (2014), Orlando, pp. 504–511. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413616.06336.

LEE, K.M., LEE, Y.B., SHIM, C.S., PARK, K.L. Bridge information models for construction of a concrete box-girder bridge, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering 8 (2012), pp. 687–703. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732471003727977.

LIU, Z.-Q., LI, Y.-G., ZHANG, H.-Y. IFC-based integration tool for supporting information exchange from architectural model to structural model, Journal of Central South University Technology 17 (2010), pp. 1344–1350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771−010−0640−z.

LIU, Z.Q., ZHANG, F., ZHANG, J. The building information modeling and its use for data transformation in the structural design stage, Journal of Applied Science and Engineering 19 (2016), pp. 273–284. https://doi.org/10.6180/jase.2016.19.3.05.

LU, R., BRILAKIS, I. Digital twinning of existing reinforced concrete bridges from labelled point clusters, Automation in Construction 105 (2019), pp. 102837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.102837.

LUTTUN, J., KRIJNEN, T. An Approach for Data Extraction, Validation and Correction Using Geometrical Algorithms and Model View Definitions on Building Models, in: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering. Springer 98 (2020): pp. 529–543. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51295-8_38.

MARKIC, Š. IFC-Bridge: Previous initiatives and their proposals, in: The 29th Forum Bauinformatik (2017), Desden, pp. 12–19.

PARK, S.I., LEE, S.H, ALMASI, A., SONG, J.H. Extended IFC-based strong form meshfree collocation analysis of a bridge structure, Automation in Construction 119 (2020), pp. 103364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103364.

PUKL, R., PALEK, P., CERVENKA, J. The possibility of using BIM for nonlinear life-cycle analysis of concrete structures, in: The Fifth International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCCE 2016), Delft, Netherlands (2016), pp. 655–661. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315375175.

QIN, L., DENG, X.Y., LA LIU, X. Industry foundation classes based integration of architectural design and structural analysis, Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University Science 16 (2011), pp. 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-011-1099-2.

RAMAJI, I.J., MEMARI, A.M. Interpretation of structural analytical models from the coordination view in building information models, Automation in Construction 90 (2018) pp. 117–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.02.025.

REN, R., ZHANG, J., DIB, H.N. BIM interoperability for structure analysis, in: Construction Research Congress: Construction Information Technology - Selected Papers from the Construction Research Congress, ASCE (2018), pp. 470–479. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784481264.046.

REN, R., ZHANG, J. Comparison of BIM Interoperability Applications at Different Structural Analysis Stages, in: Construction Research Congress: Computer Applications - Selected Papers from the Construction Research Congress, ASCE (2020), pp. 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784482865.057.

SAMPAIO, A.Z. Geometric modeling of box girder deck for integrated bridge graphical system, Automation in Construction 12 (2003), pp. 55–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(02)00040-7.

TANAKA, F., HORI, M., ONOSATO, M., DATE, H., KANAI, S. Bridge Information Model Based on IFC Standards and Web Content Providing System for Supporting an Inspection Process, in: The 16th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering (2017), Osaka, pp. 1140–1147.

TRZECIAK, M., BORRMANN, A. Design-to-design exchange of bridge models using IFC: A case study with Revit and Allplan, in: Engineering and Construction – Proceedings of the 12th European Conference on Product and Process Modeling (2018), Munich, pp. 231–239. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429506215.

WAGNER, A., BONDUEL, M., PAUWELS, P., RÜPPEL, U. Representing construction-related geometry in a semantic web context: A review of approaches, Automation in Construction 115 (2020), pp. 103130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103130.

WANG, X., YANG, H., ZHANG, Q.L. Research of the IFC-based Transformation Methods of Geometry Information for Structural Elements, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems: Theory and Applications 79 (2015), pp. 465–473. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-014-0111-0.

XU, Z., RAO, Z., GAN, V.J.L., DING, Y., WAN, C., LIU, X. Developing an Extended IFC Data Schema and Mesh Generation Framework for Finite Element Modeling, Advances in Civil Engineering 2019 (2019), pp. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1434093.

YABUKI, N., SHITANI, T. An IFC-based product model for RC or PC slab bridges, CIB Report (2003).

YU, Y., KIM, S., JEON, H., KOO, B. A Systematic Review of the Trends and Advances in IFC Schema Extensions for BIM Interoperability, Applied Sciences 13 (2023) 12560. https://doi.org/10.3390/app132312560.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-31

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2024): fluxo contínuo

Section

Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Me. Guilherme Palla Teixeira, Dr. José Carlos Lopes Ribeiro, Dr. Kléos Magalhães Lenz César Jr, Me. Lucas Andrade Nunes, Dr. José Maria Franco de Carvalho, Dr. Diôgo Silva de Oliveira, Dr. Gustavo Henrique Nalon

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright Notice

Authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain the copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the article simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License BY NC ND, which allows the sharing of article with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are authorized to take additional contracts separately, for non-exclusive distribution of version of the article published in this journal (e.g. publish in institutional repository or as a book chapter), with acknowledgment of authorship and initial publication in this journal.

 

  1. Authors are allowed and encouraged to publish and distribute their research work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their personal page) at any point before or during the editorial process, as this can generate productive changes, as well as increase the impact and the citation of published article (See O Efeito do Acesso Livre).

How to Cite

TEIXEIRA, Guilherme Palla; RIBEIRO, José Carlos Lopes; CÉSAR JÚNIOR, Kléos Magalhães Lenz; NUNES, Lucas Andrade; CARVALHO, José Maria Franco; OLIVEIRA, Diôgo Silva; NALON, Gustavo Henrique. Interoperability level for bridge structural analysis from the IFC data interpretation. Gestão & Tecnologia de Projetos (Design Management and Technology), São Carlos, v. 19, n. 3, p. 49–67, 2024. DOI: 10.11606/gtp.v19i3.227401. Disponível em: https://revistas.usp.br/gestaodeprojetos/article/view/227401.. Acesso em: 29 dec. 2025.