Big Data Enabled Computing

Big data is data set whose volume greatly exceeds the capabilities of the conventional database softwares in terms of data acquisition, storage, management and analysis. Big data is usually generated in the process of bridge operation and maintenance. Therefore, the storage, processing and utilization of big data is an important research topic in the field of intelligent bridge operation and maintenance. This chapter introduces the basic concept of big data as well as concepts of the common big data computing methods, and the information physical system used to associate the physical space with the information space, with emphasis on the application of big data computing methods in civil engineering, especially in bridge engineering.