BRIDGING THE GAP: Your Connection to Engineering Services

Building Bridges With 3D Modeling?

In Bridge Design (BD), dynamic teams of Engineers design complex bridges, earth retaining systems, culverts and other highway structures. Engineers are leveraging new tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) in their work.

Is your design safe in the event of an earthquake or major flood? Does it meet the needs of the local community? Can it be efficiently maintained? These are among the many questions Bridge Engineers answer daily. The bridges and structures designed today will serve the state’s transportation network for the next century. Caltrans teams work together closely to find robust solutions.

Bridge Engineers use BIM to model bridge structures in 3D and share them with the project team. Geotechnical, hydraulics, construction, and maintenance Engineers review the virtual bridge model and can introduce new, innovative ideas. Based on the bridge design model, Architects prepare visualization models for public outreach meetings; and for communicating and sharing design concepts with stakeholders.

Engineers also test their construction process in virtual simulations with Caltrans construction and roadway design partners before the structures are built. The BIM model also helps Engineers determine the quantities of materials needed to build their design, and the model is shared with cost estimators and specification Engineers. The BIM model can also estimate the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects, informing better decision-making to support sustainability goals.

Currently, BD is engaged in ten projects piloting these new digital delivery processes. Engineers are only beginning to scratch the surface of the innovation possible with BIM for infrastructure and bridges.

The future of BIM for bridges and structures is bright with a more connected bridge industry from design to construction to maintenance operations and asset management.