Bridge Management System

Rensselaer researchers are developing a state-of-the-art bridge management system (BMS) for the NYS Thruway Authority. The goal of the BMS is to ensure the safety and serviceability of bridges in the most cost-effective manner. The research effort will create new methodologies that will enhance the decision-making capbility needed to achieve the stated goal. The plan for the BMS consists of four parts: (1) a macroanalysis of the condition and needs of Thruway bridges; (2) development of the database needed to support the bridge program and interfacts to the pavement management system database; (3) development of decision methodologies needed to achieve the BMS goals at the project and system levels; and (4) development and monitoring of the bridge program. (Grivas)

Expert Systems in Civil Engineering

Knowlegde-based expert systems are developed and utilized in order to assess performance, diagnose damage, and establish rehabilitation procedures for civil engineering structures. (Grivas)

Pavement Management System

Rensselaer researchers work closely with NYS Thruway personnel to develop and implement a pavement management system (PMS) for the nation's longest toll road. The plan consists of three phases: (1) expand the PMS condition assessment procedures to include the expanded Thruway inventory, provide additional studies on traverse cracking, rutting, and toughness, and utilize image processing techniques for crack detection; (2) refinement of the developed decision methodologies to reflect changes in the condition assessment process and suggested improvements from evaluation and operational use of methods; (3) modify, covert, and integrate component stand-alone computer programs and the Pavement Integrated DataBase System into an integrated system. (Grivas)