Computational methods for integrating tacit and explicit knowledge for the preliminary design of Finnish road bridges

Abstract

The preliminary design of the bridge deck plays a significant role in determining the quantity and cost of the superstructure. The precise predictions of the bridge deck dimensions at this phase is largely based on the tacit knowledge of a bridge designer. Determining the decent solution for the parts of the bridge deck is of vital importance so that the designer can make an intellectual and informed decision to compare various bridge alternatives and choose the suitable solution in the tender phase of the project. Whereas, predictions made by bridge engineers can be designer-specific and vary in quantity and cost.

To bring the excellence at the preliminary phase of bridge design, a knowledge-based expert system combining both the tacit and empirical knowledge is developed as a part of a thesis. Various graphs and formulas were developed to predict the dimensions for parts of the prestressing concrete bridge. Similarly, further mathematical models to quantify prestressing reinforcement and normal reinforcement in the superstructure were also developed. In total 49 bridges were evaluated that were designed in Sweco Finland Oy from the year 2002 to 2018, based on the data of designed prestressing bridges mathematical models were developed using Matlab and Minitab.

The preliminary design allows bridge designers to work with different design alternatives so that the designer can choose the bridge with suitable cost viability, fulfilling the client requirements. However, to design numerous alternative bridges in a short period is a challenging job, whereas the developed mathematical model and the bridge application could be useful so that the dimensions and other necessary information could be easily extracted for the cost and dimensions analysis. Likewise, the mathematical models and bridge application developed would help the bridge designers to increase the confidence in the design decisions that have been made at the preliminary phase.