A system integration framework through development of ISO 10303-based product model for steel bridges

This study has developed a product model based on ISO 10303 to overcome problems such as data loss during transferring and sharing project data. The developed product model electronically represents three-dimensional shapes, structural analysis and structural design information of steel bridges. The product model for semantic description of a steel bridge is employed as data structure of an integrated database management system (DBMS) by which steel bridge information can be managed and operated. The DBMS can be made to release restraints such as each different location and heterogeneous computer environments. End-users may be able to freely access steel bridge information of the DBMS on the network. This study also presents a framework for practical management of steel bridge information generated from existing tools by using open standards and web technology. An integrated computer environment can be built by applying this framework composed of product model, data repository, application modules, and programming interfaces to civil engineering fields. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.