Bridge Infrastructure Asset Management System: Comparative Computational Machine Learning Approach for Evaluating and Predicting Deck Deterioration Conditions

Abstract

Bridge infrastructure asset management system is a prevailing approach toward having an effective and efficient procedure for monitoring bridges through their different development phases including construction, operation, and maintenance. Damage to any structural component of a bridge will negatively affect its safety, integrity, and longevity. Bridge decks are more susceptible to severe deterioration because they are exposed to harsh conditions including heavy traffic, varying temperatures, road salts, and abrasive forces. The ability to forecast the conditions of bridges in an accurate way has been a great challenge to transportation agencies. Many previous research studies highlighted the need to have a data-driven approach in predicting and evaluating the deterioration conditions of bridges. As such, this paper develops a computational data-driven asset management system to evaluate and predict bridge deck deterioration conditions. A multistep interdependent research methodology was utilized. First, the best set of variables affecting the conditions of bridge decks was identified. Second, two computational machine learning models were developed for the prediction of deck conditions using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and k-nearest neighbors (KNNs). Third, a comparison between the developed models is conducted to select the ultimate model with the highest accuracy. The result is a framework that is able to evaluate and predict deck conditions with a prediction accuracy of 91.44%. While this research is applied to bridges in Missouri, the technique can be used on any similarly available data set nationwide. This study adds to the body of knowledge by devising a computational data-driven framework that is valuable for transportation agencies as it allows them to evaluate and predict deck conditions with high accuracy. Consequently, this will help in ensuring proper and effective distribution of funds allocated for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of bridges. Ultimately, this will result in minimizing efforts, time, and costs associated with site inspection of bridge decks.