Ontology-Supported Bridge Component Design: Implementation of Bridge Cap Design Rules

Abstract: The bridge design process is a complex and time-consuming task for bridge engineers. To reduce repetitive tasks, automating the application of guidelines and standards is desirable. Currently, automation attempts are mostly based on table-based calculations. This work proposes a new approach to automated, code-compliant structural design: an exemplary automation process for dimensioning the bridge cap. In this process, an ontology describing bridge components and boundary conditions is created. German road bridge design rules are implemented using the Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL). The aim is to enable a fully automatic geometric dimensioning of bridge caps based on several boundary conditions.