Integrating an expert system with BrIMS, cost estimation, and linear scheduling at conceptual design stage of bridge projects

Abstract

Highway networks are a major infrastructure system, most crucially major bridges and motorways. Proper handling of highway networks plays a significant role in enhancing the functionality of a bridge network. Besides that, estimating bridge construction costs is an increasing necessity at the conceptual design stage for accurate budgeting and effective funding. The degree of subjectivity involved in decision making of bridge projects is the main factor that influences bridge cost estimation and linear scheduling at the conceptual design stage. Objectives of this study are intended to demonstrate the viability of integrating a decision support system comprising qualitative objective functions with a bridge information management system (BrIMS) in order to overcome subjectivity in decision makings. An external data interchange protocol is implemented in synchrony with interoperability standards. The deployment of the proposed system shall include an all-in-one bridge construction cost estimation tool that can provide users with recommendations for bridge design alternatives. An integration of an expert system, cost estimation, and linear scheduling is proposed by automating cost and time scheduling techniques at the conceptual design stage. Successful implementation of such a system is a technological achievement of novelty to the integration of BrIMS solutions with probabilistic fuzzy logic strategic approaches.