Guide for 3D Engineered Models for Bridges and Structures - Summer 2017

Federal Highway Administration2017PDFTech ReportUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Center for Accelerating InnovationSchneider, ChristopherUnkefer, R. DavidUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUnited StatesMathematical modelsBridgesAsset managementResearch projectsSimulationFHWA-HIF-17-039This guide provides an overview of different types of 3D engineered models for bridges and highway structures and how they can be applied across the asset lifecycle. Some specific uses explored in this guide include creating models to increase efficiency by generating more accurate plans, schedules, and estimates, and the secondary uses that emerge from repurposing those models. The guide looks at how project characteristics affect the favorability of creating and using bridge models. It also presents some critical issues for sharing bridge models, such as communicating the Level of Development and managing the horizontal distance distortions implicit to geospatial coordinates.140