Using BIM to improve the design and construction of bridge projects: A case study of a long-span steel-box arch bridge project

More and more mega-complex bridge projects are being or will be built worldwide. At the same time, the design and construction of such projects involve more and more challenges, e.g., complex structural designs, complicated construction environments, etc. This research study aims to apply BIM (Building Information Modelling) to bridge projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of design and construction. Through the analysis of the characteristics of bridge projects and relevant, associated problems, a BIM-based solution to improving design and construction is developed, including conceptual design optimization, detailed design optimization, the optimization of construction sequences, construction scheduling, construction management, and construction process monitoring. Furthermore, a real-life bridge project is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and validity of the BIM-aided approach to design and construction. It is shown that BIM has the potential to improve the design and construction of bridge projects. It is expected that this research could contribute to the extensive application of BIM in mega-complex bridge projects to aid in design and construction in the future.