UBMS Research Group
UBMS Research Group was formed to sustain research in bridge management systems. Post enhancements in IBMS which resulted in UBMS.
Analytical Results using GABM and GARM
By Sachidanand Joshi, Mayuri Tundalwar; Researchers UBMS Research Group
INTRODUCTION:
Bridge management is a complex, ever-evolving field, where the integration of global analytics plays a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and safety of infrastructure. As bridges continue to face challenges from aging, environmental factors, and increasing traffic demands, advanced data-driven solutions are essential for informed decision-making.
Global Analytics for Bridge Management [GABM] and Global Analytics for Resilience and Risk Management [GARM] researched and evolved by UBMS Research Group [URG]. The duo of GABM and GARM applications are very innovative and probably the only Bridge Management system, which provide valuable details into:
GABM integrates Symptoms, Cause of Distress and Short term Structural health monitoring. This enables evaluation Balance and Absolute service life [BSL and ABSL] irrespective of the age of the bridge.
GABM enables evaluation of vulnerability and risk index for the bridge by combining the geographical risk index with the geometry and structural health of the bridge.
GABM ensures proper financial due diligence within BMS. It provides life cycle management for the entire life of the bridge.
GARM has Multi-Criteria Decision-Making process enabling Decision-Making by considering structural health of the bridge, along with risk assessment, financial due diligence and the socio-economic impact of the bridge.
GARM provides feasibility of providing funds to individual bridge and collectively for all bridges for rehabilitation strengthening and enhancement of resilience effectively.
By harnessing the power of GABM and GARM, we can enhance resilience, reduce risks, and optimize budget allocations. Through continuous monitoring, smart technologies, and comprehensive assessments, we can safeguard vital transportation links, ensuring their operational efficiency, sustainability, and safety for years to come.
ANALYTICAL RESULTS: Outputs and reports generated by GABM by using PRINT REPORT button.
GABM provides results for Culverts within the region, where bridge inspections carried out.
Culverts inspection does not involve any analysis and report generated are based on Culvert inspection carried out by the Bridge inspection engineer. The accuracy of area shown in the report depends on the extent of accuracy employed by the engineer during inspection.
INSIGHT INTO RESULTS:
Overview of the Bridge and Key Parameters
Bridge Overview and structural status:
The Bridge under review represents a typical bridge structure. The geometrical parameters assigned are typical. The bridge spans 300 meters with six 50-meter spans, supported by a pile foundations. Age assumed 33 years, and the location near the coast. It serves a critical role in regional transportation by connecting key economic hubs. Designed for high traffic, it accommodates four lanes and is a typical 70R [As per IRC load ratings] capacity bridge. Geospatial details ensures accuracy of location and enables detailed evaluation of geographical impact.
The bridge is located near the coast, thereby has prolonged exposure to environmental impact causing very high probability to corrosion and carbonation. Age related exposure to mechanical stresses, as overloading and fatigue are visible in the bridge structure. Historical narrative in the form of four inspection data available in the report. Historical narrative provides valuable insight into the progression of deterioration and reduction of Balance service life. Bridge Structural Ratings identify the location of increasing deterioration. In the report, observed that ratings for three of the four components are increasing with ratings for superstructure increasing to very severe distress levels. The overall increasing ratings indicates distress cause, which is due to location and geometrical parameters of the bridge. Scrutiny of Cause Matrix ratings confirm our judgement. Corrosion and Carbonation ratings observed to be increasing. Since the bridge is aging symptoms of overloading and fatigue are visible. Cause matrix ratings for these two causes confirm the same. Since the bridge is beyond 50 percent of designed service life [50 years], Short-term structural health monitoring deployed also indicates reduction of performance. All three parameters [Symptoms, Cause matrix and ST-SHM] are self-confirming increased deterioration.
Evaluation of BSL and ABSL done in GABM post scrutiny of age of bridge. Age of bridge indicates the predominant factor affecting evaluation of BSL and ABSL. When the bridge is new and the age is less than 20 percent of Design service life, symptoms are critical factor. From 20 percent to 50 percent of designed service life, Cause matrix play a critical role in evaluation. Post this period, ST-SHM observation are essentially required for accurate analysis of BSL and ABSL.
GABM offers additional information regarding Median Service Life [MSL]. MSL definition is critical to understand how efficient rehabilitation intervention will function. If MSL evaluated is below the age of the bridge and the envelope of the two curves intersects prior to the vertical age line, efficiency of intervention will be lower. The report has various definitions relating to Functionality and Socio-Economic Impact of bridge to help decide feasibility of providing rehabilitation intervention. Efficiency of such intervention also provided.
Structural, Functional and Socio-Economic Impact of Bridge:
Over the years, the deck and substructure ratings have shown gradual changes, signaling ongoing deterioration even with targeted repairs. The superstructure experienced minor improvements, but persistent vulnerabilities highlight the necessity for continuous and comprehensive interventions to address long-term structural challenges effectively.
Study of Functional rating and Socio-Economic ratings help decision-making processes. The bridge geometry indicates satisfactory scenario relating to deck geometry and vertical clearance of the bridge. However, the waterway adequacy is not satisfactory and so also increasing Average Daily Traffic count [ADT] is a cause for worry.
Socio-Economic ratings indicate the importance of the bridge in the region and the impact of the bridge on economic stability and growth of the region. Increasing traffic causes higher environmental impact.
Causes of Deterioration, Vulnerability, and Risk Indices
Causes of Deterioration:
Chemical factors such as chloride attack and carbonation have progressively compromised the concrete matrix, weakening structural integrity. Mechanical stresses from overloading and fatigue, seen by the micro-cracking, affecting long-term durability. Environmental factors like temperature fluctuations, erosion, and abrasion have caused gradual wear but remain relatively stable over time.
To address these issues, advanced concrete restoration techniques can mitigate chemical impacts and enhance structural resilience to mechanical stress. Regular application of protective coatings, combined with real-time monitoring of stress and environmental effects, can minimize deterioration and promote long-term durability.
Geographical Vulnerability Assessment
The susceptibility to natural hazards and structural risks evaluated through indices to assess flooding, cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides. This comprehensive assessment provides insights into the bridge’s exposure and resilience, underlining the necessity of effective mitigation strategies.
Flooding:
Flooding emerges as the most significant vulnerability, driven by the potential for water ingress and hydrostatic forces. These factors can compromise structural stability and accelerate material degradation.
Cyclones:
Cyclones pose threat due to high wind loads, which could lead to structural displacement and damage to ancillary components, impacting overall functionality.
Earthquakes and Landslides:
The risks associated with earthquakes and landslides are comparatively lower, reflecting the bridge’s robust design against seismic forces and the region’s minimal geological instability.
Global Analytics for Risk and Resilience Management [GARM]:
Effective risk and resilience management is critical for ensuring the longevity and functionality of infrastructure in bridges. This involves analysing sustainability, financial implications, and overall risk to guide strategic interventions.
The declining sustainability index highlights the increasing challenges in maintaining bridge operations without timely and effective interventions. This underscores the need for proactive measures to enhance operational efficiency and reduce long-term vulnerabilities. A consistently high financial impact index points to significant cost burdens associated with delayed maintenance and rehabilitation. This trend emphasizes the importance of timely investments in repair and upgrade efforts to mitigate escalating financial liabilities. The gradual rise in the risk index signals an increasing probability of partial or complete structural failure. This highlights the urgency of addressing underlying vulnerabilities through comprehensive assessments and targeted resilience strategies.
To enhance the resilience and sustainability of bridge operations, a comprehensive prevention and solution framework is essential. GARM provides such a framework. With Multi-Criteria Decision-Making [MCDM] processes evolved within GARM. Till recently, decisions taken are based on a single criterion of structural status. MCDM applies the criteria of structural health/ status in combination with Risk assessment, Financial due diligence and Socio-Economic impact of the bridge on the region to evaluate the priority of fund allocation for rehabilitation interventions. MCDM uses the dual processes of Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique in junction with Analytical Hierarchy Process to evaluate which of the bridges in the set of 10 most critical bridges should funds be provided. Further MCDM also evaluates the financial benefits accrued due to the bridge to the region and compares the same with estimated cost of rehabilitation and resilience enhancement.
GARM integrates data from maximum of six GABM to provide total picture. Each bridge in these six GABM is listed and individual reports and results are available for viewing and printing. Results produced by GARM validate the importance of Risk assessment and MCDM.
Post application of AHP, it is critical to decide if the organization should explore the options of enhancing / increasing the budgetary support for rehabilitation of bridges. Enhancement of Bridge Resilience never considered, as a requirement until recently, is gaining importance. With this as focus, GARM evaluates the comparison of enhancing provided budgetary amount. This comparison implemented for each bridge and for the entire set of 10 bridges.
By integrating data-driven MCDM, continuous monitoring, and strategic resource allocation, risk and resilience management can effectively safeguard the bridge’s performance while minimizing future disruptions and financial risks.
Conclusion:
The integration of Global Analytics for Bridge Management (GABM) and Global Analytics for Resilience and Risk Management (GARM) provides a ground-breaking framework for addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with modern bridge infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge data analytics, these systems enable detailed evaluations of structural health, balance service life evaluation, and risk and vulnerability index evaluation for natural hazards. GABM and GARM ensure through analysis of each aspect of bridge performance. Their ability to assess and integrate factors like geographical risks, structural parameters, and socio-economic impacts exemplifies a holistic approach to bridge management, laying the groundwork for sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions.
The results, report and insights derived from GABM and GARM highlight the criticality of adopting advanced analytics for long-term infrastructure resilience. Both GABM and GARM offer precise evaluations of distress causes, environmental vulnerabilities, and structural performance, guiding data-driven decisions for maintenance, rehabilitation, and budget allocation. The unique capability to evaluate balance and absolute service life alongside median service life adds a robust layer to the decision-making process. The duo of GABM and GARM ensure interventions are not only effective but also economically and environmentally viable. Furthermore, the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making process in GARM empowers stakeholders to consider structural, financial, and socio-economic factors simultaneously, fostering well-rounded and informed strategies.
GABM and GARM represent a significant advancement in bridge management and resilience planning. They address critical challenges such as aging infrastructure, evolving traffic demands, and environmental exposure through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and innovative risk management frameworks. They ensure bridges remain functional, safe, and sustainable while optimizing resource utilization and minimizing vulnerabilities. GABM and GARM offer authorities an opportunity to prioritize proactive maintenance, strengthen resilience against natural hazards, and ensure the longevity and socio-economic relevance of bridge infrastructure.
GABM
GABM: GLOBAL ANALYTICS FOR BRIDGE MANAGEMENT
GARM
GARM: GLOBAL ANALYTICS FOR RESILIENCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT.
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UBMS Research Group was formed to sustain research in bridge management systems. Post enhancements in IBMS which resulted in UBMS..
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