A functional specification for a decision support system to select bridge analysis tools

Many states have developed their own Bridge Management Systems (BMS). The main concept of the BMS is to provide systematic procedures for a state to manage and organize their inventory in order to maintain their structures for public safety. Selected data from inspection reports are stored in the BMS. In practice, bridge engineers select an appropriate analysis tool based on the specific problem and geometry of the structure. However, BMS do not provide any procedures for tool selection. Therefore, the decision on tool selection bases mainly on the professional skill of the engineers. These analysis tools help the engineers to decide whether the structure is safe or not. There are a variety of these tools. Each tool also has its own advantages and limitations. The literature on different types of bridge analysis tools and their capabilities is reviewed in this research. A catalogue of bridge analysis tools is assembled: it presents the general features and capabilities of different types of analysis tools which include different types of rating programs and design & analysis programs. This research focuses on improving and reinforcing the relationship between the BMS and the selection of existing analysis tools. A functional specification for a decision support system is developed in this research. The general idea of the decision support system is to recognize different types of analysis methods, goals of analysis, structural defects, bridge types, and capabilities of the existing analysis tools in order to recommend the most appropriate analysis tool based on a description of the structure type and the problem requiring analysis. The scope of this research is limited to rating programs. However, other types of analysis tools are recognized also. The decision support system methodology involves gathering information, knowledge structuring, experts' opinions and modifications. The inputs of the decision support system are organized and structured by theory of classification. Two surveys were conducted in this research in order to obtain the experts' inputs. In addition, the prototype decision support system is developed in this research. However, the prototype still has many limitations since it is in an early stage.