Opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design : A pre-study
(2022) In TVBK- Abstract
- This report presents the findings from a pre-study concerning the opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design. The project approach is divided into three parts: 1) a short review of the relevant literature, 2) investigations concerning bridge industry perspectives (with focus on bridge consultants), and 3) the identification of future research needs based on parts 1 and 2.
The literature review found that digital transformation is often a desirable goal within different industries in Europe and Sweden with the justification that it could improve productivity. Specific digital technologies which have been identified as providing the most potential specifically in the building sector include the... (More) - This report presents the findings from a pre-study concerning the opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design. The project approach is divided into three parts: 1) a short review of the relevant literature, 2) investigations concerning bridge industry perspectives (with focus on bridge consultants), and 3) the identification of future research needs based on parts 1 and 2.
The literature review found that digital transformation is often a desirable goal within different industries in Europe and Sweden with the justification that it could improve productivity. Specific digital technologies which have been identified as providing the most potential specifically in the building sector include the automation of knowledge-based work, the utilization of cloud-based services, internet of things (IoT) as well as mobile internet. When it comes to structural engineering, there is a clear indication that the profession is undergoing a paradigm shift towards a greater reliance on digital tools. Professional societies in both the US (ASCE) and the UK (IStructE) highlight the need for the profession to evolve and both have published insights concerning opportunities, challenges, and future needs. Some specific challenges include the need for broadening expertise as well as reforming and improving education for both students and practicing engineers (continuing profession development). The latter was also highlighted in a recent study in Sweden by af Klintberg (2018).
Bridge industry perspectives were investigated through a small focus-group and questionnaire study, which involved bridge engineering consultants and experts. The results from both highlighted a high interest in and trends toward increased digital transformation and automation in bridge engineering practice today. Some opportunities which were mentioned include the possibility to reduce conservatism and optimize structures considering a variety of criteria, automation of routine work allowing for more time towards other relevant tasks, as well as the adoption of digital platforms and tools for improved communication, coordination, and management. One interesting ongoing trend within companies is the development of in-house digital tools, often viewed as giving a competitive edge. Challenges of digital transformation and automation which were identified often focussed on risks associated with over-reliance and faith in digital tools coupled with the need for adopting suitable design checking procedures considering potentially complex and comprehensive input/output in calculation (FE) software. Another interesting aspect which was discussed concerned the trend of increased specialization within the sector leading to the question of whether there is a need for ‘general practitioners’ of structural engineering.
In synthesizing the results from the first two parts of the project, broad future research needs were identified. These include the necessity to investigate further, and in more detail, both positive and negative impacts of ongoing and future digital transformation and automation. To facilitate a more informed way forward, such impacts should be assessed and evaluated in relation to the structural engineering profession, the bridge and construction sector (including all relevant stakeholders), the individual engineer(s), as well as society at large. Some specific relevant future research topics relate to the investigation of professional variability and its implications, the human-machine interface, the transfer of IT models from design and planning to facility management, as well as effective knowledge and experience transfer in modern design practice. The final sections of the report also elaborate briefly on two common digital technologies used today: digital tools for structural design calculations and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/24871552-9738-4ced-9f60-85950e86bbda
- author
- Björnsson, Ivar LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022
- type
- Book/Report
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- TVBK
- issue
- 3078
- pages
- 30 pages
- publisher
- Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Div. of Structural Engineering
- ISBN
- 978-91-87993-26-8
- 978-91-87993-25-1
- project
- Pre-study to investigate opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design – highlighting the human contribution to success/failure
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 24871552-9738-4ced-9f60-85950e86bbda
- date added to LUP
- 2022-02-24 08:40:10
- date last changed
- 2023-02-20 14:30:03
@techreport{24871552-9738-4ced-9f60-85950e86bbda,
abstract = {{This report presents the findings from a pre-study concerning the opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design. The project approach is divided into three parts: 1) a short review of the relevant literature, 2) investigations concerning bridge industry perspectives (with focus on bridge consultants), and 3) the identification of future research needs based on parts 1 and 2. <br/>The literature review found that digital transformation is often a desirable goal within different industries in Europe and Sweden with the justification that it could improve productivity. Specific digital technologies which have been identified as providing the most potential specifically in the building sector include the automation of knowledge-based work, the utilization of cloud-based services, internet of things (IoT) as well as mobile internet. When it comes to structural engineering, there is a clear indication that the profession is undergoing a paradigm shift towards a greater reliance on digital tools. Professional societies in both the US (ASCE) and the UK (IStructE) highlight the need for the profession to evolve and both have published insights concerning opportunities, challenges, and future needs. Some specific challenges include the need for broadening expertise as well as reforming and improving education for both students and practicing engineers (continuing profession development). The latter was also highlighted in a recent study in Sweden by af Klintberg (2018).<br/>Bridge industry perspectives were investigated through a small focus-group and questionnaire study, which involved bridge engineering consultants and experts. The results from both highlighted a high interest in and trends toward increased digital transformation and automation in bridge engineering practice today. Some opportunities which were mentioned include the possibility to reduce conservatism and optimize structures considering a variety of criteria, automation of routine work allowing for more time towards other relevant tasks, as well as the adoption of digital platforms and tools for improved communication, coordination, and management. One interesting ongoing trend within companies is the development of in-house digital tools, often viewed as giving a competitive edge. Challenges of digital transformation and automation which were identified often focussed on risks associated with over-reliance and faith in digital tools coupled with the need for adopting suitable design checking procedures considering potentially complex and comprehensive input/output in calculation (FE) software. Another interesting aspect which was discussed concerned the trend of increased specialization within the sector leading to the question of whether there is a need for ‘general practitioners’ of structural engineering.<br/>In synthesizing the results from the first two parts of the project, broad future research needs were identified. These include the necessity to investigate further, and in more detail, both positive and negative impacts of ongoing and future digital transformation and automation. To facilitate a more informed way forward, such impacts should be assessed and evaluated in relation to the structural engineering profession, the bridge and construction sector (including all relevant stakeholders), the individual engineer(s), as well as society at large. Some specific relevant future research topics relate to the investigation of professional variability and its implications, the human-machine interface, the transfer of IT models from design and planning to facility management, as well as effective knowledge and experience transfer in modern design practice. The final sections of the report also elaborate briefly on two common digital technologies used today: digital tools for structural design calculations and Building Information Modelling (BIM).<br/>}},
author = {{Björnsson, Ivar}},
institution = {{Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, Div. of Structural Engineering}},
isbn = {{978-91-87993-26-8}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{3078}},
series = {{TVBK}},
title = {{Opportunities and challenges of digitalization and automation in bridge design : A pre-study}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/114527816/TVBK3078_Pre_study_challenges_and_opportunities_with_digitalization_in_bridge_design.pdf}},
year = {{2022}},
}