PSI - Issue 62

Adalgisa Zirpoli et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 62 (2024) 217–224 Author name / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2019) 000 – 000

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Now, let's turn our attention to the sub-structures. These are categorized as pilons, trestles (including stiffeners), and abutments. As for the deck, it primarily comprises spans and buffer beams. Both spans and buffer beams share a structural design, consisting of three longitudinal beams, two cross beams, and the slab. These hierarchical rules reflect the importance of load-bearing: the longitudinal beams serve as the primary support elements, the cross beams facilitate transverse load distribution and act as restraints against phenomena such as instability and torsion, while the slab (non-structural) serves as a surface for flooring. The time has come to share the model with all stakeholders. A dedicated project has been established in Trimble Connect, where all available data has been uploaded. All stakeholders have been granted access to this platform via the web, viewing the model as a reliable and comprehensive database encompassing processes such as inspections, surveys, structural assessments, control, maintenance, and more. To better organize the collected information, we endeavored to create an intuitive data storage structure, enhancing traceability for all operators. This storage structure includes divisions based on various disciplines, such as Infrastructural BIM and Structural BIM. Furthermore, documentation has been categorized into project documents, received documents, and symbology. Participation in the Trimble Connect project occurred by invitation, with each participant assigned a specific role. An Administrator was designated to oversee the collaborative environment, while other professionals were registered as users. Following data security protocols, all actions were logged in the respective activity log. Interactions between professionals were facilitated through the management of "ToDos," allowing operators to collaborate on specific tasks assigned to individuals. The utilization of this environment extends beyond the model's drafting phase and can encompass subsequent stages of activities, serving as a historical and documentary repository for planned site inspection, re-categorization, or structural revamping. The collaborative platform enables the upload and linking of documents to individual model objects. For instance, reports regarding core drillings or structural material tests, as well as inspections, can be associated with specific model components. To streamline such operations, we have adopted a dedicated plug-in known as the Document Controller. This application can expedite and simplify: • The association and retrieval of documents and URLs with/from one or more modelled parts. A collaborative environment enables users to work comfortably at any time, whether through a mobile app or a desktop version, always staying synchronized in real-time. The presence of a diverse range of users does not pose any issues thanks to the robust administration of access and permission settings for folders. Various stakeholders can communicate by creating 'ToDos' and exporting BCF reports. Consequently, a collaborative environment serves as an efficient tool for tracking the history of activities. The georeferenced model was imported from the Structural BIM Authoring tool, along with the geographic context imported from the infrastructural collaborative platform, into the collaborative environment. The visualization of the model in Trimble Connect provided us with the capability to cross-reference data across various disciplines. We could open both the structural model and the Digital Terrain Model (DTM), allowing us to verify their positioning. Clash checking was also feasible. Additionally, we incorporated coordinate identifiers at the beginning, end, and middle of the bridge for quick access to its positioning coordinates. Notably, we exported the model from the Structural BIM Authoring platform to the Finite Element Method (FEM) software for structural analysis purposes. Several options are available for data transfer to the calculation software. If the FEM application can directly communicate with the BIM environment, it is the preferred choice as it reduces the need to duplicate work in the FEM software. • The management and visualization of documents and links linked to modelled parts. • The WBS association with model objects and the creation of WBS from XML/IFC formats. • The retrieval and display of classifications associated with parts described in IFC files.