Information Management Protocols for Processing FWD Tests Using PSO-Based Back-Calculation for Road Pavement Maintenance Management

BIM (Building Information Model) approach represents a significant innovation for managing the building process. BIM and, broadly, Information Management offer numerous advantages, including real-time interaction in 3D environments, information sharing, error reduction, flexibility, solution optimization. Beyond design and execution, management and maintenance are involved to maximize efficiency throughout the entire service life. BIM can serve as a reference tool for collecting information required for maintenance management strategies even of transport infrastructures, but existing solutions are not adequate. This paper proposes an original procedure, not available in reference software, to process Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data within a BIM environment and, consequently, even simplify maintenance and rehabilitation management procedures of road pavements. Applying purpose-built coded routines, deflection measurements are imported into a road digital model and processed, in the same environment, through a PSO-based back-calculation procedure to estimate pavement layer elastic modules and the overall structural capacity of the pavement. The final goal is to create a comprehensive infrastructure digital model for virtual inspections, evaluating pavement “health” state, and properly implement maintenance strategies.