Application of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and Digital Twins (DTs) in the Lifecycle Management of Bridges and Viaducts

The growing adoption of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Brazil, based on the Decree N⁰ 11,888 of January 22, 2024, has reached multiple segments of the construction industry, including Special Works of Art (SWA). While the design and structural analysis of bridges and viaducts are widely addressed in academic and technical forums, their operation and maintenance remain underexplored, especially due to the industry’s slow technological advancement. This gap has contributed to severe outcomes, including structural collapses and service interruptions. This way, this research work aims to explore how the Digital Twins (DT), derived from BIM-based models, can serve as strategic tools for the operation and maintenance of SWAs. Considering the Brazilian standards such as NBR 9452 and the information management principles from ISO 19650, this study proposes a framework that integrates sensor data into digital environments for real-time asset monitoring. A statistical survey of SWA inoperability in Brazil, along with the analysis of management inefficiencies and enabling technologies such as Autodesk Tandem, supports the discussion. The findings highlight the urgent need for digitization in infrastructure asset management and propose DT as a feasible solution for improving performance, safety, and longevity of bridges and viaducts.