Towards integrated data model for next-generation bridge maintenance

This work streamlines the thus-far separate and difficult management of bridges' 3D geometry data and maintenance information in siloed systems

2025-11-27

(Press-News.org) Japan is facing the urgent challenge of aging infrastructure, amidst ineffective linking of on-site experience and expertise with vast amounts of digital data in maintenance operations. This is especially the case for bridges across Japan. With a large number of bridges constructed during the rapid economic growth period, aging simultaneously, extensive inspection data and repair histories have been managed disparately across paper ledgers or departmental systems thus far, leading to inadequate integration between the experience of skilled engineers and digital data.

To address this inefficiency, it is vital to leverage cutting-edge digital technology and establish a safer, more sustainable infrastructure management system, specifically as a part of the Strategic Innovation Promotion (SIP) Program Smart Infrastructure Management System.

Taking up this challenge, a team of researchers from Japan, led by Professor Ryuichi Imai from the Faculty of Engineering and Design, Hosei University, Japan, and including Dr. Kenji Nakamura, Faculty of Information Technology and Social Sciences, Osaka University of Economics; Dr. Yoshinori Tsukada, Faculty of Engineering, Reitaku University; Dr. Toshio Teraguchi, Faculty of Economics, University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences; and Dr. Chikako Kurokawa, Advanced Technologies Research Laboratory, Asia Air Survey Co. Ltd., has recently addressed the separate and difficult management of bridges' 3D geometry data and their maintenance information such as inspection results and repair history in siloed systems. Their novel findings were made available online on October 5, 2025, published in Volume 40, Issue 27 of the journal Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering on November 14, 2025.

This study introduces a novel integrated data model that merges two international standards—IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) for construction and Building Information Modeling (BIM), and CityGML for geospatial information. The resulting framework enables the unified, one-source management of both 3D geometric data and maintenance information (such as inspection results and repair history). This integration is expected to significantly streamline and enhance maintenance workflows, including inspection, diagnosis, and repair planning for aging bridges.

“Our work would allow infrastructure managers, specifically local governments, to accurately grasp damage locations found during inspections and past repair histories for the numerous bridges under their jurisdiction, all visualized on 3D models. For example, they can instantly check information—either on-site or in the office—like, ‘Is this damage located in the same spot that was repaired 5 years ago?’ This enables them to make precise, data-driven decisions about repair priorities and the most suitable repair methods. This is expected to lead to improved infrastructure safety and longevity and efficient use of public funds,” remarks Prof. Imai.

In 5 to 10 years, the team expects the integrated data model from their research to be widely adopted as a standard by local governments nationwide, leading to the creation of digital twins for social infrastructure, starting with bridges. On these digital twins, AI-driven deterioration forecasting simulations would become possible. This would accelerate the shift from reactive maintenance, or fixing things after they break, to predictive maintenance, or repairing at the optimal time before they fail. This will help prevent critical accidents like bridge collapses and extend infrastructure lifespan, contributing to a society where people can live more safely and sustainably.

Furthermore, during disasters, it will enable the immediate assessment of which bridges are passable, supporting rapid evacuation and recovery efforts.

“In effect, our technology—aimed at connecting field expertise with digital data and realizing future maintenance where infrastructure is collaboratively monitored across communities—can pave the way to a society where future generations can live more securely,” concludes Prof. Imai.

***

Reference

Authors: Kenji Nakamura1, Yoshinori Tsukada2, Toshio Teraguchi3, Chikako Kurokawa4, and Ryuichi Imai5

Title of original paper: integrated data model for bridges with 3D geometry and maintenance information

Journal: Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

DOI: 10.1111/mice.70084

Affiliations:
1Faculty of Information Technology and Social Sciences, Osaka University of Economics, Japan
2Faculty of Engineering, Reitaku University, Japan
3Faculty of Economics, University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences, Japan
4Advanced Technologies Research Laboratory, Asia Air Survey Co. Ltd., Japan
5Faculty of Engineering and Design, Hosei University, Japan

About Professor Ryuichi Imai
Ryuichi Imai is a Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Design, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hosei University, Japan. He obtained a Ph.D. in Engineering from The University of Tokyo. His research interests include intelligent informatics, social infrastructure, civil engineering, architecture, disaster prevention, safety engineering, social systems engineering, construction management, and planning and transportation. He has authored about 70 research articles on these topics and received about 700 citations.

About Hosei University, Japan
Hosei University is one of the leading private universities in Tokyo, Japan. It offers international courses in many disciplines and has a long and rich history. Founded as a school of Law in 1880, Hosei University evolved into a private university by 1920. The university is also home to multiple research centers that conduct advanced research in various fields, including nanotechnology, sustainability, ecology, and more. The university has three main campuses—Ichigaya, Tama, and Koganei—located across Tokyo.
For more information, please see: https://www.hosei.ac.jp/

Media Contact:
Affiliation: Office of the President Public Relations Section, Hosei University, Japan
E-mail: pr@adm.hosei.ac.jp

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