Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Journal of Information Technology in Construction
ITcon Vol. 31, pg. 835-865, http://www.itcon.org/2026/36
A knowledge graph-based digital twin system for bridge network condition monitoring
| DOI: | 10.36680/j.itcon.2026.036 | |
| submitted: | June 2025 | |
| published: | August 2026 | |
| editor(s): | Amor R | |
| authors: | Carlos Ramonell Cazador, PhD candidate
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0390-3603 carlos.ramonell@upc.edu Pieter Pauwels, Associate Professor Eindhoven University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8020-4609 p.pauwels@tue.nl Rolando Chacón, Associate Professor Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7259-5635 rolando.chacon@upc.edu | |
| summary: | While a lot of research has examined semantics and digital twinning (DT), their use in bridge network monitoring has received less attention. In particular, the lifecycle management of information on bridge infrastructure is a critical challenge, and this paper aims to address it through a linked data framework that meets current needs and aligns with common practices in bridge maintenance. The paper proposes a technological framework based on knowledge graphs, open linked data ontologies, and industry standards such as IFC, INSPIRE, and ICDD to achieve multi-scale data integration, interoperability and standard data delivery. This framework serves as the baseline architecture for a knowledge graph-based DT system. It uses a microservices approach, assembling a suite of open-source Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) components, a graph database, and a file database. The application on a bridge network in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona demonstrates that the proposed framework automatically abstracts Bridge Condition Indices (BCI) at the network level by aggregating state updates from individual bridge components. Where official inspection scoring procedures were unavailable, these indices utilise heuristic approximations to illustrate the prototype workflow. Furthermore, the system enables the resolution of context-rich queries that combine GIS, BIM, and inspection data. This study demonstrates how Digital Twins can be conceptualised and developed to operate with standardised, flexible, modular, interoperable, and multi-scale data, setting the groundwork for future Bridge Management Systems (BMS). | |
| keywords: | Digital twin, BMS, knowledge graphs, ontologies, ICDD | |
| full text: | (PDF file, 3.022 MB) | |
| citation: | Ramonell Cazador, C., Pauwels, P., & Chacón, R. (2026). A knowledge graph-based digital twin system for bridge network condition monitoring. Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon), 31, 835-865. https://doi.org/10.36680/j.itcon.2026.036 | |
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