The use of BIM technology in bridge engineering is still in its early stages both in China and globally. However, China has begun to recognize the value of BIM in bridge projects and has initiated several pioneering efforts. For instance, the Beipanjiang Extra Large Bridge on the Shanghai-Kunming Railway uses the Dassault platform to develop a comprehensive BIM model. This model integrates remote access control, construction management, information queries, model management, document handling, and operation and maintenance into a single system. The Beipanjiang Bridge construction management system supports large-scale 3D visualization and BIM information management functions tailored for the Windows platform.
BIM pilot projects have also been implemented in the Zhaoqing Yuejiang Bridge. This project established detailed permanent structural models, including temporary facilities, steel reinforcements, and construction equipment. These models have been instrumental in decision-making, technical briefings, and analyzing construction challenges. The BIM model was created using software such as Tekla, AutoCAD, and SketchUp, achieving high accuracy—permanent structures are modeled down to every steel bar, and temporary structures to every screw. Through BIM, collision detection, dynamic construction simulations, and design scheme comparisons were conducted, significantly enhancing bridge construction management.
Another notable example is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, where the bridge’s BIM model was integrated with traffic engineering models and linked with third-party software for operation and maintenance. This integration supports the bridge’s ongoing maintenance and management. In Shanghai, the Jinhui Port Bridge project along Fengpu Avenue has fully applied BIM technology throughout its design and construction phases, accumulating valuable experience and results.
In railway infrastructure, the Dali-Ruili section of the China-Myanmar International Railway, particularly the Nujiang Extra Large Bridge, marked the first use of BIM in domestic railway construction. BIM guided the construction by enabling dynamic simulations of construction processes and real-time data monitoring. Furthermore, Yunnan Province has developed a cloud-based BIM project construction management platform, which has been implemented across 11 highways to facilitate digital design and project management.
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