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The aging infrastructure is a concern for many people worldwide, especially in the United States. The risk of accidents due to deteriorating infrastructure has prompted legislation, awareness campaigns, and renovation projects. To address these concerns, Bentley Systems is using innovative technology to create digital twins of infrastructure, allowing for safer and more efficient inspections.

Bentley Systems creates accurate models of structures by connecting reality capture data, such as survey artifacts, 3D/2D designs, GIS data, and IoT sensors. This digital twin workflow is used for bridge and dam inspections, with three key stages. The first stage involves creating a reality mesh using laser scanning and photogrammetry. Drones are often used to capture necessary angles and provide a 3D model of the structure.

To create a digital twin, sensors are connected to the structure to provide real-time information. For bridges, these sensors monitor structural movement, scour, usage, climate events, and geotechnical factors. Dam inspections utilize sensors to monitor groundwater pressure, joint strength, surface cracks, and vibrations. Bentley Systems provides software to convert reality capture data into models and aggregate IoT data into accessible formats. This allows for the creation of a complete digital twin with real-time information.

The advantages of the digital twin workflow include safer inspections, remote monitoring, and early detection of potential issues. Inspectors can analyze the model and use artificial intelligence to identify problem areas, reducing the need for manual inspection. Sensors can detect issues before they become noticeable, making repairs safer and more cost-effective.

The benefits of this workflow are already evident. Bridge inspections have seen a 30% reduction in hours and fees, with improvements in deliverable quality. Construction savings of at least 20% are expected due to better inspection data leading to more informed decisions. Dam owners have saved significant amounts of money on condition monitoring by implementing digital technology. Inspections have become safer, and return on investment has been achieved in less than two months.

Digital twins have emerged as a powerful tool for infrastructure inspection and monitoring. While still relatively new, the technology has already been adopted by individual asset owners, paving the way for further advancements in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our infrastructure.

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