Federation of non-destructive testing data for bridge asset management

The application of data federation to enhance bridge infrastructure asset management through the integration of non-destructive testing (NDT) data was investigated. Focusing on ultrasonic testing, ground-penetrating radar and visual inspection methods, the research addressed the challenge of unifying diverse datasets into a coherent three-dimensional digital environment. A key contribution is the development of standardised workflows for importing and visualising NDT data within Autodesk Revit, enabling improved spatial representation, coordinate alignment and data layering. While the approach demonstrates significant potential for enhancing inspection and maintenance decision making, limitations related to proprietary software and data accessibility were identified. The findings underscore the importance of interoperability between asset data, NDT outputs and legacy systems to support intelligent asset management. By enabling more accurate defect visualisation and analysis, the federated model contributes to proactive maintenance strategies and long-term infrastructure resilience. This work offers practical insights into bridging the gap between traditional inspection practices and emerging digital technologies, positioning federated models and digital twins as a transformative tool in the management of ageing civil infrastructure.