Automatic Calibration of Structural Damage in Building Information Modeling Models with Robotic Process Automation

Fidel Lozano Galant; Edison Atencio; Nikola Tošić; Jesús González-Arteaga; Ye Xia

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.04.001

Engineering ›› :202604001 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.04.001

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Automatic Calibration of Structural Damage in Building Information Modeling Models with Robotic Process Automation

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Abstract

Building information modeling (BIM) enables the integration of multidisciplinary data into detailed three-dimensional structural models. However, accurately capturing the mechanical behavior of real-world structures requires the calibration of these virtual models with in situ measurements, particularly to reflect damage-induced changes that influence safety and structural integrity. Traditional calibration workflows rely heavily on the manual updating of structural databases and parameter assignments, which are time-consuming, prone to human error, and lack scalability. This study presents, for the first time, a robotic process automation (RPA)-based workflow for automating the integration of corrosion-related damage into structural BIM models. A bridge structure serves as a demonstrative case. However, the proposed methodology is not confined to bridge engineering. The underlying framework is broadly applicable to a wide range of civil infrastructural assets including buildings, tunnels, retaining walls, and industrial facilities. Beyond damage integration, the proposed RPA-based approach can be extended to automate various repetitive and error-prone tasks related to design, maintenance, and oper- ation, such as model updating, inspection data extraction, documentation management, and multidisci- plinary workflow coordination, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure. Steel bridges affected by corrosion damage were selected as representative case studies because of their vulnerability to environmental exposure, labor-intensive nature of frequent inspections, and digital model updates. The structural and geometric complexities of bridges, combined with available on-site inspection data, provide a challenging yet realistic scenario for validating the performance and robustness of the proposed automation strategy. A case study involving a real footbridge validated the effectiveness of the RPA tool and demonstrated significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability compared with conventional manual methods. This study presents a novel and scalable application of RPA in structural BIM calibration, offering a practical, low-risk solution to enhance digital twin fidelity and structural health monitoring across diverse civil infrastructure sectors.

Keywords

Building information modeling / Robotic process automation / Structural system identification / Automatic calibration

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Fidel Lozano Galant, Edison Atencio, Nikola Tošić, Jesús González-Arteaga, Ye Xia. Automatic Calibration of Structural Damage in Building Information Modeling Models with Robotic Process Automation. Engineering 202604001 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.04.001

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