THE PARADIGM SHIFT IN BRIDGE DESIGN AND

VISUALIZATION
Michael Alestra, PE | Joseph Spadea, PE

PARTNERS FOR WHAT’S POSSIBLE

www.pennoni.com
Overview
 Who we are
 What Bridge Information Modeling is and why its important
 What to consider when developing BrIM Standards and Procedures
 How BrIM ties into Visualization
About Me
 Professional Engineer in
Delaware surrounding areas
 ~20 yrs of 3D modeling

experience
 17 yrs of experience in bridge

design and engineering

 5 yrs – Developing and

Implementing Bridge
Information Models and
practices
 Actively involved in promoting

BrIM in the industry through

speaking events, webinars and
research initiatives
Firm Profile

As an ESOP-owned firm, every

Pennoni employee has a vested
interest in the success of each project.
Office Locations
Milton, DE Akron, OH
Newark, DE Columbus, OH

Clearwater, FL King of Prussia, PA

Delray Beach, FL Bethlehem, PA
Miami Beach, FL Mechanicsburg, PA
Pensacola, FL Pittsburgh, PA
Tallahassee, FL State College, PA
Winter Haven, FL Uniontown, PA
Warrington, PA
Boston, MA West Chester, PA
Wyoming Valley, PA
Baltimore, MD
Columbia, MD Arlington, VA
Herndon, VA
Camden, NJ Virginia Beach, VA
Haddon Heights, NJ Leesburg, VA
Newark, NJ Richmond, VA
Vineland, NJ Winchester, VA

Chapel Hill, NC
Corporate Headquarters
New York, NY Philadelphia, PA
Why not 3D design?

 3D modeling
has been
around for
over two
decades
Why should we change?

 Streamlined design
 Easily accommodate

design changes
 Visualize design
BrIM Project – Vertical Lift Bridge
BrIM Project – Vertical Lift Bridge
BrIM Project – Vertical Lift Bridge
BrIM Project – Vertical Lift Bridge
BrIM Project – Vertical Lift Bridge
Moving away from 2D

 Innovations, such as
Bridge Information
Modeling, allow us to
change the way we do
business
OpenBridge Modeler
Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM)
is a process, not a program.
What is Bridge Information Modeling (BrIM) ?

 A process for creating,

communicating, and reviewing
bridge information in a
collaborative manner.
BrIM Process

BrIM Model BrIM Model BrIM Model

Concept Design Final Design Construction

BrIM Process
Quantities
and Cost
Estimate
Geometry 3D
and
Parameters Viz.

Material
and Pay
BrIM Plans
Items Model

Design
and Construction
Analysis
Detailing
BrIM Enhances Design
BrIM Enhances Design
BrIM Enhances Design
 Object driven,
parametric models
that represent
actual bridge
components
 Can include large

amounts of
information
“Design the model, not model the design”
Developing Standards
Research
BrIM Standards and Procedures Manual
 Determine uses of 3D bridge models
 Identify software that can be used to

develop 3D bridge models

 Determine acceptable file formats for

models and derivative products.

 Determine the Level of Detail for any

models
 Develop a Model Progression

Specification
 Standard file naming conventions and

folder structures
 Guidance for creating models
Project Planning
Level of Development
 It is important to communicate the level of development (LOD)
behind the 3D model so that engineers understand the
limitations on how the models may be applied.
Model Progression Schedule
 List all elements included in the model
 Assign a LOD to each model element
 Identify the responsible party behind each element
Model Progression Specification (MPS) Form
Project No.: DCDT1701
Project: Arboretum Bridge and Trail

Project Phase Deliverable 30% Design

Category Element Sub-element LOD Resp. Party Notes File Name File Type Primary Use Secondary Us
Deck/Slab Deck/Slab P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Falsework/Forms
Joints
Approach Slab P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Bridge Railing P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Superstructure Girders/Floorbeams/Stringers P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Other support types (Truss,Arch,Cables)
Diaphragms/Crossframes P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Misc. Superstructure elements
Bearings P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Proposed

Substructure Abutments and Wingwalls P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES

Piers P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Foundations P MLA DCDT1701-CT-BR01 PLANS ANALYSIS, QUANTITIES
Appurtenances Sign Structures
Lighting
On-Structure Drainage
Conduits P MLA
Roadways Horizontal Control Geometry (Alignment) P MLA DCDT1701-CT-AL01.dgn
Vertical Control Geometry (Profile) P MLA DCDT1701-CT-AL01.dgn
Final Grade P
Earthwork Structural Embankment P
Earthwork P
Reference points and Lines
Utilities
Earthwork Excavation
Temporary

Stockpiles
Works

Erosion Protection and Sediment Control

Falsework
Equipment
Detours
Deck/Slab
Survey
 Understand how terrain models
were developed and how accurate
they are
 How was survey control
established
 The basis of control needs to be
understood and conveyed to the
contractor in the bid documents
Geospacial Distance Distortions
 Modeling on a State Plane
Coordinate “grid” is not the
same as modeling on a
“ground” scale.
 Large Combined Scale Factors
can place longer dimension
lengths outside of 1/8”
tolerance.
 Understand how the survey
control was established and
what types of distortions you
may encounter.
BrIM Process
Quantities
and Cost
Estimate
Geometry
and Visualization
Parameters

Material
and Pay
BrIM Plans
Items Model

Design
and Construction
Analysis
Detailing
BrIM Software
 Client approved/preferred vendors
 Interoperability between software
 Automation of plan sheet production
 Automation of change propagation through plan sheets and models
 Automation of quantity take-off
BrIM Software
 Automation reinforcement design and bar schedules
 Efficiencies in generating shop drawings for fabrication
 Evaluation of different alternatives
 Ability to automate clash detection
 Visualization
 ConceptStation  LEAP Bridge Steel
❖ Concept design ❖ 2D/3D Steel bridge design and
 MicroStation analysis

MicroStation Based Platform

❖ Plan development  LEAP Bridge Concrete
 InRoads / OpenRoads ❖ Concrete bridge design and analysis
❖ Road design and modeling  RM Bridge
 OpenBridge Modeler ❖ Complex Bridge Design
❖ Bridge Modeling  LARS
 ProStructures ❖ Load Rating and Analysis
❖ Concrete and steel detailing
Quality Assurance
 Model management and
auditing
❖ ProjectWise
 Model checking
❖ Model checklist
❖ Model input reports

❖ Visual inspection

❖ Checking against the plans

❖ Clash detection
Notable Pennoni Projects

New Pedestrian Bridge in D.C.

New Bridges in Pennsylvania

Bridge replacement in Virginia

Visualization
 Joe Spadea, PE
jspadea@Pennoni.com

16+ Yrs. Engineer

Business development
and
Marketing
 Design
Visualization
 Animations
 3-D Modeling
 Photorealistic
Rendering
 Virtual/Augmented
Reality
 Built from real,
meaningful Design
Data
We are visual creatures
90%
60,000X
CLIENT/DOT
Workflow Considerations
1. Understand Goals / Level of Detail
2. Identify Design Assets
750
DATA
3-D MODEL

PRODUCT
Select Examples
Example 1
Example 2
More Examples
Review
 What Bridge Information Modeling is and why its important
 What to consider when developing BrIM Standards and Procedures
 How BrIM ties into Visualization
Contact Information

Michael Alestra, PE
malestra@pennoni.com

Joe Spadea, PE
jspadea@pennoni.com