Building Information Modeling (BIM) 

for Infrastructure

Through BIM for Infrastructure, FHWA 

is advancing digital transformations in 

delivering highway projects and leveraging enterprise data 

for better decisionmaking.(1)

 Foundational work, including 

a National BIM Roadmap and BIM Global Benchmarking

Study, has led to more than 20 States participating in a 

Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) study.(2,3)

 This study 

includes Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Bridges

and Structures and “Building Information Modeling (BIM)

for Infrastructure.”(4,5)

 TPF projects are cofunded by member 

organizations and help ensure States are moving forward in 

a coordinated effort. Agencies outside the United States may 

also participate in the TPF program.(6)

Structural Analysis of Pavement 

Without Lane Closures

FHWA is working with State departments 

of transportation (DOTs) on applying traffic 

speed deflection testing technology to pavement structural 

assessment. FHWA has developed analysis methods for 

this structural analysis technology and demonstrated its 

value in evaluating the structural condition of pavement 

at the network level.(7)

 FHWA, along with 26 States, is 

participating in a TPF study in which agencies are using 

and demonstrating data collection technologies to assess 

and test State pavement sections.(8)

 Additionally, agencies 

are developing guidelines on how to use the data collected 

in case study webinars.

FHWA InfoHighwayTM

FHWA InfoHighway provides access 

to highway infrastructure engineering 

research data in a single location. Currently, 

the website includes four web portals: InfoPaveTM 

(analysis of long-term pavement performance 

(LTPP)), InfoBridgeTM (access to performance related 

bridge information), InfoMaterialsTM (infrastructure 

research and data), and InfoTechnologyTM (technical 

knowledge dissemination on nondestructive 

evaluation technologies).(9)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Research and Development works with agencies

across the Nation and with international partners to strengthen the transportation infrastructure in the United States. Some 

of our recent research initiatives and products are highlighted in this document.

LTPP Program Report

The report titled The Long-Term Pavement 

Performance Program is a treasure trove 

of information about pavements and their 

performances. The report details how the FHWA’s LTPP 

Program was strategically conceived, initiated, and carried 

out. FHWA’s LTPP Program was established in the 1980s 

to systematically collect pavement performance data. Since 

then, LTPP studies have tracked the performance of more 

than 2,500 pavement test sections located throughout the 

United States and Canada—in some cases, observing the 

same pavement for more than 20 yr.(10)

Ultra-High Performance 

Concrete (UHPC) Research

Through UHPC research, FHWA is opening 

doors to new ways to design, build, and 

rehabilitate highway-related structures. FHWA’s UHPC 

research is advancing novel solutions to accelerate bridge 

construction, rehabilitate deteriorated bridge decks, and 

facilitate structural design.(11)

Deep Foundation Load Test 

Database (DLFTD) Version 2.0

FHWA’s DFLTD version 2.0 is a centralized 

data repository of soil and load test 

information with the principal goal of optimizing 

the design, construction, and maintenance of bridge 

foundations and other highway infrastructure. DFLTD 

version 2.0 includes more than 2,500 soil tests and more 

than 1,600 load tests on various types of piles and drilled 

shafts in different soil conditions.(12)

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) 

Integrated Bridge System (IBS) Report

FHWA developed the GRS IBS as a fast, cost 

effective method of bridge support. The report 

titled Design and Construction Guidelines for Geosynthetic

Reinforced Soil Abutments and Integrated Bridge Systems

outlines state-of-the-art recommended best practices 

for designing and constructing GRS technology for the 

application of abutments and the IBS.(13)

Learn More About FHWA’s 

Office of Infrastructure Research 

and Development

© USchools / iStock.
FHWA-HRT-23-099

HRDI-10/08-23(250)E

Recommended citation: Federal Highway Administration, Learn More 

About FHWA’s Office of Infrastructure Research and Development 

(Washington, DC: 2023) https://doi.org/10.21949/1521430

References

1. FHWA. 2022. “Building Information Modeling (BIM) for 

Infrastructure Overview” (web page). https://highways.dot.

gov/research/research-programs/infrastructure/buildinginformation-modeling-bim-infrastructure-overview, 

last accessed June 1, 2023.

2. Mallela, J. and A. Bhargava. 2021. Advancing BIM for 

Infrastructure: National Strategic Roadmap. Report 

No. FHWA-HRT-21-064. Washington, DC: Federal 

Highway Administration.

3. Mallela, J., A. Blackburn, R. Grant, M. Kennerly, K. Petros, 

and C. Yew. 2020. Building Information Modeling (BIM) 

Practices in Highway Infrastructure: FHWA Global 

Benchmarking Program Report. Report No. FHWA PL 21 024. 

Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.

4. FHWA. 2023. “Building Information Modeling (BIM) for 

Bridges and Structures” (webpage). https://www.pooledfund.

org/Details/Study/624, last accessed June 5, 2023.

5. FHWA. 2023. “Building Information Modeling (BIM) 

for Infrastructure” (web page). https://www.pooledfund.org/

Details/Study/707, last accessed June 5, 2023.

6. National Academies of Sciences. 2023. “Transportation Pooled 

Fund—Program” (web page). https://pooledfund.org/Home/

Program, last accessed June 26, 2023.

7. Rada, G. R., S. Nazarian, B. A. Visintine, R. Siddharthan, 

and Senthil Thyagarajan. 2016. Pavement Structural 

Evaluation at the Network Level: Final Report. Report 

No. FHWA HRT 15 074. Washington, DC: Federal 

Highway Administration.

8. FHWA. 2023. “Pavement Structural Evaluation with Traffic 

Speed Deflection Devices (TSDDs)” (web page). https://

pooledfund.org/Details/Study/637, last accessed June 5, 2023.

9. FHWA. n.d. “FHWA InfoHighway” (web page). https://

infohighway.fhwa.dot.gov/, last accessed June 5, 2023.

10. FHWA. 2015. The Long-Term Pavement Performance 

Program. Report No. FHWA-HRT-15-049. Washington, DC: 

Federal Highway Administration.

11. FHWA. n.d. “Ultra-High Performance Concrete” (web

page). https://highways.dot.gov/research/structures/ultrahigh-performance-concrete/ultra-high-performance-concrete, 

last accessed June 5, 2023.

12. “Deep Foundation Load Test Database (DFLTD) Version 2.0” 

(web page for archived software). https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

software/research/infrastructure/structures/bridges/dfltd/index.

cfm, last accessed June 5, 2023.

13. Adams, M. and J. Nicks. Design and Construction 

Guidelines for Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Abutments and 

Integrated Bridge Systems. Report No. FHWA HRT 17 080. 

Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.

14. FHWA. 2022. “Chemistry Laboratory Overview” (web page). 

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/chemistrylaboratory/chemistry-laboratory-overview, last accessed 

June 7, 2023.

15. Munoz, J., C. Balachandran, M. Beyene, and T. S. Arnold. 

2021. A Novel Approach for the Assessment of ASR 

Susceptibility of Concrete Mixtures in Airfield Pavements 

and Infrastructure. Report No. FHWA-HRT-21-103. 

Washington, DC: FHWA.

16. FHWA. 2022. “Concrete Laboratory Overview” (web page). 

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/concretelaboratory/concrete-laboratory-overview, last accessed 

June 26, 2023. 

Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) 

Susceptibility in Concrete 

Mixture Report

The Chemistry Laboratory at Turner-Fairbank 

Highway Research Center (TFHRC) is conducting research 

directed toward developing new, reliable, and efficient 

guidelines for management of ASR, one of the main 

deterioration mechanisms affecting concrete infrastructure 

in the United States.(14)

 According to the report titled 

A Novel Approach for the Assessment of ASR Susceptibility

of Concrete Mixtures in Airfield Pavements and

Infrastructure, researchers conducted thorough, fundamental 

research to develop an innovative reactivity index based on 

pore solution chemistry. The index can be applied to detect 

ASR reactive phases in aggregates, determine the safe limit 

of alkali loading of a concrete mix prepared using specific 

aggregates below which ASR will not occur, and evaluate 

ASR susceptibilities of job mix designs.(15)

Concrete Laboratory

The Concrete Laboratory at TFHRC is 

investigating aspects of sustainability, 

performance engineered mixtures, repair 

materials, durability, and UHPC.(16)

 While many advances 

have been made in the past two centuries in understanding 

cement and concrete chemistry, microstructure, and 

property development, FHWA’s research addresses many 

of the questions lingering in the cement and concrete 

industries that affect the state of practice.

David Mensching 

david.mensching@dot.gov

(202) 493-3232

Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center

6300 Georgetown Pike

McLean, VA 22101-2296