good evening how many potholes have you run over in the past week or debris that
run over in the past week or debris that
run over in the past week or debris that you had to maneuver your car around to
you had to maneuver your car around to
you had to maneuver your car around to try to stay safe or that construction
try to stay safe or that construction
try to stay safe or that construction zone that’s been under construction for
zone that’s been under construction for
zone that’s been under construction for the past year well we know we have a
the past year well we know we have a
the past year well we know we have a serious problem today I’m going to talk
serious problem today I’m going to talk
serious problem today I’m going to talk to you about our nation’s infrastructure
to you about our nation’s infrastructure
to you about our nation’s infrastructure particularly our bridges and how myself
particularly our bridges and how myself
particularly our bridges and how myself a structural engineer is working to
a structural engineer is working to
a structural engineer is working to engineer sustainable bridges we have
engineer sustainable bridges we have
engineer sustainable bridges we have more than 600,000 bridges in the United
more than 600,000 bridges in the United
more than 600,000 bridges in the United States however the state of them is
States however the state of them is
States however the state of them is under concern the average bridge is
under concern the average bridge is
under concern the average bridge is approximately 43 years old so if we
approximately 43 years old so if we
approximately 43 years old so if we break that down that means four out of
break that down that means four out of
break that down that means four out of every ten bridges is approximately 50
every ten bridges is approximately 50
every ten bridges is approximately 50 years old there are a hundred over a
years old there are a hundred over a
years old there are a hundred over a hundred and eighty eight million trips
hundred and eighty eight million trips
hundred and eighty eight million trips that are taken daily across deficient
that are taken daily across deficient
that are taken daily across deficient bridges it makes you at wonder and beg
bridges it makes you at wonder and beg
bridges it makes you at wonder and beg the question how many of you have driven
the question how many of you have driven
the question how many of you have driven over them in 2016 the data show that 9
over them in 2016 the data show that 9
over them in 2016 the data show that 9 percent of the nation’s bridges were
percent of the nation’s bridges were
percent of the nation’s bridges were structurally deficient where we defined
structurally deficient where we defined
structurally deficient where we defined structural deficiency as one or more
structural deficiency as one or more
structural deficiency as one or more deficiencies that a bridge might have
deficiencies that a bridge might have
deficiencies that a bridge might have that needs special attention so the way
that needs special attention so the way
that needs special attention so the way things work is that once every two years
things work is that once every two years
things work is that once every two years a bridge is inspected to make sure that
a bridge is inspected to make sure that
a bridge is inspected to make sure that it’s okay
it’s okay
it’s okay what we’ve noted that there are some
what we’ve noted that there are some
what we’ve noted that there are some serious problems in California alone we
serious problems in California alone we
serious problems in California alone we see the largest number in an urban
see the largest number in an urban
see the largest number in an urban environment with structurally deficient
environment with structurally deficient
environment with structurally deficient bridges more than 87% of these bridges
bridges more than 87% of these bridges
bridges more than 87% of these bridges in California are structurally deficient
in California are structurally deficient
in California are structurally deficient so what does that look like well let’s
so what does that look like well let’s
so what does that look like well let’s take a look at our infrastructure report
take a look at our infrastructure report
take a look at our infrastructure report card for America I know you see a lot of
card for America I know you see a lot of
card for America I know you see a lot of season deeds what if you brought home a
season deeds what if you brought home a
season deeds what if you brought home a report card to a parent or someone who
report card to a parent or someone who
report card to a parent or someone who is funding your education it definitely
is funding your education it definitely
is funding your education it definitely raises the question so we for the survey
raises the question so we for the survey
raises the question so we for the survey for the infrastructure report card we
for the infrastructure report card we
for the infrastructure report card we see aviation earned a grade of D where
see aviation earned a grade of D where
see aviation earned a grade of D where US airports serve 2 million passengers
US airports serve 2 million passengers
US airports serve 2 million passengers daily
daily
daily a degrade wastewater D+ knowing that the
a degrade wastewater D+ knowing that the
a degrade wastewater D+ knowing that the demand of wastewater and treatment
demand of wastewater and treatment
demand of wastewater and treatment plants will grow more than 23 percent by
plants will grow more than 23 percent by
plants will grow more than 23 percent by 2032 dams D schools D plus where 53
2032 dams D schools D plus where 53
2032 dams D schools D plus where 53 percent of schools need improvements to
percent of schools need improvements to
percent of schools need improvements to reach good conditions so now we move on
reach good conditions so now we move on
reach good conditions so now we move on to the bridges C – again 10% of these
to the bridges C – again 10% of these
to the bridges C – again 10% of these bridges are rated to be structurally
bridges are rated to be structurally
bridges are rated to be structurally deficient where America’s overall grade
deficient where America’s overall grade
deficient where America’s overall grade is a d+ that definitely raises a concern
is a d+ that definitely raises a concern
is a d+ that definitely raises a concern to me so this is where you come in our
to me so this is where you come in our
to me so this is where you come in our current user pays about eighteen point
current user pays about eighteen point
current user pays about eighteen point four cents per gallon for gasoline and
four cents per gallon for gasoline and
four cents per gallon for gasoline and twenty four point four cents per gallon
twenty four point four cents per gallon
twenty four point four cents per gallon for diesel this translates to that we
for diesel this translates to that we
for diesel this translates to that we have this highway tax fund that we’re
have this highway tax fund that we’re
have this highway tax fund that we’re trying to increase these prices because
trying to increase these prices because
trying to increase these prices because we know that the investment in our
we know that the investment in our
we know that the investment in our infrastructure is in sufficient and this
infrastructure is in sufficient and this
infrastructure is in sufficient and this is where you come in so we talked about
is where you come in so we talked about
is where you come in so we talked about these bridges and we see every year we
these bridges and we see every year we
these bridges and we see every year we put these de-icing salts on our roadways
put these de-icing salts on our roadways
put these de-icing salts on our roadways and we know that these the icing salts
and we know that these the icing salts
and we know that these the icing salts will corrode these bridges we know
will corrode these bridges we know
will corrode these bridges we know chemically that when we put salts on
chemically that when we put salts on
chemically that when we put salts on roads that lowers the freezing point for
roads that lowers the freezing point for
roads that lowers the freezing point for any fallen snow or rain such that it
any fallen snow or rain such that it
any fallen snow or rain such that it would not freeze so it makes you wonder
would not freeze so it makes you wonder
would not freeze so it makes you wonder we build these bridges we put these
we build these bridges we put these
we build these bridges we put these socks on them to make them deteriorate
socks on them to make them deteriorate
socks on them to make them deteriorate and then we have to repair them again
and then we have to repair them again
and then we have to repair them again does that make sense well I thought the
does that make sense well I thought the
does that make sense well I thought the same thing too so how do we move forward
same thing too so how do we move forward
same thing too so how do we move forward to address this issue well we know it’s
to address this issue well we know it’s
to address this issue well we know it’s going to take more funding we know it’s
going to take more funding we know it’s
going to take more funding we know it’s going to take leadership we know it’s
going to take leadership we know it’s
going to take leadership we know it’s going to take proper planning and
going to take proper planning and
going to take proper planning and moreover it’s going to take innovation
moreover it’s going to take innovation
moreover it’s going to take innovation and that’s where one day I said Monique
and that’s where one day I said Monique
and that’s where one day I said Monique how can we make our bridges better to me
how can we make our bridges better to me
how can we make our bridges better to me it doesn’t make sense we build tear it
it doesn’t make sense we build tear it
it doesn’t make sense we build tear it down me more money have to build it
down me more money have to build it
down me more money have to build it again so I said there has to be a better
again so I said there has to be a better
again so I said there has to be a better way that we can use engineering to
way that we can use engineering to
way that we can use engineering to design or bridges better so that’s what
design or bridges better so that’s what
design or bridges better so that’s what I did so close your eyes for a
I did so close your eyes for a
I did so close your eyes for a it can you imagine a bridge without
it can you imagine a bridge without
it can you imagine a bridge without steel and you can open your eyes well
steel and you can open your eyes well
steel and you can open your eyes well that’s what I did I got some funding for
that’s what I did I got some funding for
that’s what I did I got some funding for research to really look at bridges and
research to really look at bridges and
research to really look at bridges and how we can design them better using
how we can design them better using
how we can design them better using composite materials these composites are
composite materials these composites are
composite materials these composites are made out of fibers and resin that are
made out of fibers and resin that are
made out of fibers and resin that are pulled treated together to be really
pulled treated together to be really
pulled treated together to be really strong in fact just as strong as steel
strong in fact just as strong as steel
strong in fact just as strong as steel they have advantages of being more
they have advantages of being more
they have advantages of being more flexible stronger and more durable
flexible stronger and more durable
flexible stronger and more durable because the main issue is if we put
because the main issue is if we put
because the main issue is if we put these salts on the road it goes down and
these salts on the road it goes down and
these salts on the road it goes down and affects the steel that are within these
affects the steel that are within these
affects the steel that are within these concrete structures the deteriorates and
concrete structures the deteriorates and
concrete structures the deteriorates and the repeat this cycle so if we have
the repeat this cycle so if we have
the repeat this cycle so if we have something that is corrosion resistant
something that is corrosion resistant
something that is corrosion resistant where in the bottom left shows a picture
where in the bottom left shows a picture
where in the bottom left shows a picture of these bars that are like rods that
of these bars that are like rods that
of these bars that are like rods that can replace the steel if we can replace
can replace the steel if we can replace
can replace the steel if we can replace them and engineer them in a way that
them and engineer them in a way that
them and engineer them in a way that they can work just as well we can look
they can work just as well we can look
they can work just as well we can look at longer life spans for these bridges
at longer life spans for these bridges
at longer life spans for these bridges longer than 50 years so yes the
longer than 50 years so yes the
longer than 50 years so yes the investment using these composite or
investment using these composite or
investment using these composite or fiber reinforced polymer FRP bars cost a
fiber reinforced polymer FRP bars cost a
fiber reinforced polymer FRP bars cost a little bit more money on the front end
little bit more money on the front end
little bit more money on the front end but in the lifecycle cost it would be
but in the lifecycle cost it would be
but in the lifecycle cost it would be more manageable and we won’t be
more manageable and we won’t be
more manageable and we won’t be replacing bridges every 5-10 years and
replacing bridges every 5-10 years and
replacing bridges every 5-10 years and at the rate we’re going where we’re
at the rate we’re going where we’re
at the rate we’re going where we’re already a hundred and twenty three
already a hundred and twenty three
already a hundred and twenty three billion dollars in the hole of where we
billion dollars in the hole of where we
billion dollars in the hole of where we need to be to keep up with repairs so
need to be to keep up with repairs so
need to be to keep up with repairs so the concept is for bridge deck if you
the concept is for bridge deck if you
the concept is for bridge deck if you think about on the red those are what
think about on the red those are what
think about on the red those are what you would typically see for the steel
you would typically see for the steel
you would typically see for the steel bars that they’re inlaid in there to
bars that they’re inlaid in there to
bars that they’re inlaid in there to make sure that it carries the tension
make sure that it carries the tension
make sure that it carries the tension where steel is very strong and touching
where steel is very strong and touching
where steel is very strong and touching and we have it coupled with the concrete
and we have it coupled with the concrete
and we have it coupled with the concrete which is very strong and pressure
which is very strong and pressure
which is very strong and pressure compression when you squeeze on it so my
compression when you squeeze on it so my
compression when you squeeze on it so my whole idea was nothing novel but let’s
whole idea was nothing novel but let’s
whole idea was nothing novel but let’s just use these composite bars on the
just use these composite bars on the
just use these composite bars on the inside of a bridge deck lay on like a
inside of a bridge deck lay on like a
inside of a bridge deck lay on like a lattice structure or a matrix on top of
lattice structure or a matrix on top of
lattice structure or a matrix on top of each other pull on some of them so that
each other pull on some of them so that
each other pull on some of them so that they’re really strong in their optimal
they’re really strong in their optimal
they’re really strong in their optimal capacity and tension then pour the
capacity and tension then pour the
capacity and tension then pour the concrete in and see how these things
concrete in and see how these things
concrete in and see how these things perform there are some challenges with
perform there are some challenges with
perform there are some challenges with any good system we have to look
any good system we have to look
any good system we have to look critically at how the whole system works
critically at how the whole system works
critically at how the whole system works but these bars themselves have a high
but these bars themselves have a high
but these bars themselves have a high strength to self-weight ratio about 10
strength to self-weight ratio about 10
strength to self-weight ratio about 10 to 15 times that of Steel like
to 15 times that of Steel like
to 15 times that of Steel like said their conversion resistant
said their conversion resistant
said their conversion resistant non-magnetic and non-conducting it’s a
non-magnetic and non-conducting it’s a
non-magnetic and non-conducting it’s a no-brainer is what I thought they also
no-brainer is what I thought they also
no-brainer is what I thought they also have excellent fatigue characteristics
have excellent fatigue characteristics
have excellent fatigue characteristics in other words if you cycle them back
in other words if you cycle them back
in other words if you cycle them back and forth they can go for longer periods
and forth they can go for longer periods
and forth they can go for longer periods of time which is ideal for the bridge
of time which is ideal for the bridge
of time which is ideal for the bridge environment so the whole concept is we
environment so the whole concept is we
environment so the whole concept is we have these bridge decks we put them
have these bridge decks we put them
have these bridge decks we put them together like Legos we connect them with
together like Legos we connect them with
together like Legos we connect them with concrete to tie it all together but to
concrete to tie it all together but to
concrete to tie it all together but to way in which we have to use this system
way in which we have to use this system
way in which we have to use this system in the long ways on the bridge deck we
in the long ways on the bridge deck we
in the long ways on the bridge deck we actually pull the bars in tension so
actually pull the bars in tension so
actually pull the bars in tension so where we have there the dead end that’s
where we have there the dead end that’s
where we have there the dead end that’s where we actually lock in the bars on
where we actually lock in the bars on
where we actually lock in the bars on that one end and pull from the other end
that one end and pull from the other end
that one end and pull from the other end which is called the live end to stretch
which is called the live end to stretch
which is called the live end to stretch out these bars you can think of it like
out these bars you can think of it like
out these bars you can think of it like a rubber band we stretch it really
a rubber band we stretch it really
a rubber band we stretch it really really taut and then we pour the
really taut and then we pour the
really taut and then we pour the concrete in to basically seal it all
concrete in to basically seal it all
concrete in to basically seal it all together to make it this one great
together to make it this one great
together to make it this one great system
system
system another advantage in which the Federal
another advantage in which the Federal
another advantage in which the Federal Highway is also moving towards is what
Highway is also moving towards is what
Highway is also moving towards is what we call these prefabricated bridge
we call these prefabricated bridge
we call these prefabricated bridge elements and systems in other words
elements and systems in other words
elements and systems in other words these panels are perfect in the sense
these panels are perfect in the sense
these panels are perfect in the sense that we can put them make them off-site
that we can put them make them off-site
that we can put them make them off-site in a lab or a manufacturing plan or a
in a lab or a manufacturing plan or a
in a lab or a manufacturing plan or a precast plant and then put them on a
precast plant and then put them on a
precast plant and then put them on a truck take them to the bridge site and
truck take them to the bridge site and
truck take them to the bridge site and then lay them in like Legos and then
then lay them in like Legos and then
then lay them in like Legos and then connect it all with a concrete so the
connect it all with a concrete so the
connect it all with a concrete so the idea that it would take less time for
idea that it would take less time for
idea that it would take less time for construction and also be very efficient
construction and also be very efficient
construction and also be very efficient so with these bars we also learn that
so with these bars we also learn that
so with these bars we also learn that there are some thermal plastic
there are some thermal plastic
there are some thermal plastic properties that make these bars great so
properties that make these bars great so
properties that make these bars great so one of the challenges with having these
one of the challenges with having these
one of the challenges with having these bars or composites we know they’re
bars or composites we know they’re
bars or composites we know they’re flexible but will we be able to bend
flexible but will we be able to bend
flexible but will we be able to bend them like we can steel so that we can
them like we can steel so that we can
them like we can steel so that we can make hooks well yes you can we can heat
make hooks well yes you can we can heat
make hooks well yes you can we can heat it up we can hit on it with a slight
it up we can hit on it with a slight
it up we can hit on it with a slight loss of the cross sectional area and
loss of the cross sectional area and
loss of the cross sectional area and then we can bend it so what advantage
then we can bend it so what advantage
then we can bend it so what advantage does this have well it’s a significant
does this have well it’s a significant
does this have well it’s a significant advantage in that we can have these bars
advantage in that we can have these bars
advantage in that we can have these bars also serve as hooks when we put the two
also serve as hooks when we put the two
also serve as hooks when we put the two panels together and need to connect it
panels together and need to connect it
panels together and need to connect it with a concrete in between so right here
with a concrete in between so right here
with a concrete in between so right here you’re seeing a picture
you’re seeing a picture
you’re seeing a picture on the inside view of looking at these
on the inside view of looking at these
on the inside view of looking at these bars that are these stirrups or hooks
bars that are these stirrups or hooks
bars that are these stirrups or hooks that we need to connect these bridge
that we need to connect these bridge
that we need to connect these bridge decks together and tie them together
decks together and tie them together
decks together and tie them together with either a grouse or high performance
with either a grouse or high performance
with either a grouse or high performance concrete so the question becomes will
concrete so the question becomes will
concrete so the question becomes will build this system how will it work well
build this system how will it work well
build this system how will it work well that’s what we did through the research
that’s what we did through the research
that’s what we did through the research that I got through NSF we were able to
that I got through NSF we were able to
that I got through NSF we were able to test this bridge deck system so it’s
test this bridge deck system so it’s
test this bridge deck system so it’s about 10 feet by 12 feet a nice sized
about 10 feet by 12 feet a nice sized
about 10 feet by 12 feet a nice sized bridge deck where you can see the yellow
bridge deck where you can see the yellow
bridge deck where you can see the yellow bars in the long direction or sticking
bars in the long direction or sticking
bars in the long direction or sticking out and those are the ones that were
out and those are the ones that were
out and those are the ones that were pulled really really strong
pulled really really strong
pulled really really strong the other ones perpendicular to it were
the other ones perpendicular to it were
the other ones perpendicular to it were laid to give that lattice structure so
laid to give that lattice structure so
laid to give that lattice structure so in doing so we actually loaded down on
in doing so we actually loaded down on
in doing so we actually loaded down on the bridge deck just how we would mimic
the bridge deck just how we would mimic
the bridge deck just how we would mimic the loads from a truck on a bridge where
the loads from a truck on a bridge where
the loads from a truck on a bridge where we looked at several different cases I
we looked at several different cases I
we looked at several different cases I mainly focus on low cases one where we
mainly focus on low cases one where we
mainly focus on low cases one where we have two wheels or a truck load wheels
have two wheels or a truck load wheels
have two wheels or a truck load wheels behind each other and also low case 5
behind each other and also low case 5
behind each other and also low case 5 which is on the outer edge or what we’re
which is on the outer edge or what we’re
which is on the outer edge or what we’re considering there overhang in other
considering there overhang in other
considering there overhang in other words with that load simulates is if you
words with that load simulates is if you
words with that load simulates is if you have a barrier on a concrete bridge and
have a barrier on a concrete bridge and
have a barrier on a concrete bridge and then you have either impact from a truck
then you have either impact from a truck
then you have either impact from a truck or something what’s that overturning
or something what’s that overturning
or something what’s that overturning moment or that force that needs to be
moment or that force that needs to be
moment or that force that needs to be resistant so we tested these we had our
resistant so we tested these we had our
resistant so we tested these we had our control specimen that was made out of
control specimen that was made out of
control specimen that was made out of steel that was embedded in the concrete
steel that was embedded in the concrete
steel that was embedded in the concrete as well as of the bridge deck system
as well as of the bridge deck system
as well as of the bridge deck system what you saw which actually had the
what you saw which actually had the
what you saw which actually had the fiber bars that were pre-stressed or
fiber bars that were pre-stressed or
fiber bars that were pre-stressed or just pulled like a rubber band as well
just pulled like a rubber band as well
just pulled like a rubber band as well as the other bars going perpendicular to
as the other bars going perpendicular to
as the other bars going perpendicular to that so the solid line shows the aramid
that so the solid line shows the aramid
that so the solid line shows the aramid fiber reinforced polymer specimen or the
fiber reinforced polymer specimen or the
fiber reinforced polymer specimen or the composite specimen and then the control
composite specimen and then the control
composite specimen and then the control specimen is the one that’s the dotted
specimen is the one that’s the dotted
specimen is the one that’s the dotted line we see that we were looking at just
line we see that we were looking at just
line we see that we were looking at just load in the vertical axis versus
load in the vertical axis versus
load in the vertical axis versus displacement on the horizontal axis that
displacement on the horizontal axis that
displacement on the horizontal axis that the composite a FRP specimen actually
the composite a FRP specimen actually
the composite a FRP specimen actually took larger loads it was quite strong
took larger loads it was quite strong
took larger loads it was quite strong quite durable we were very pleased with
quite durable we were very pleased with
quite durable we were very pleased with that and that was for low case one and
that and that was for low case one and
that and that was for low case one and we had the loads on the inside of the
we had the loads on the inside of the
we had the loads on the inside of the bridge or the top bar right picture
bridge or the top bar right picture
bridge or the top bar right picture where you can actually see that not only
where you can actually see that not only
where you can actually see that not only were the stresses on the loads
were the stresses on the loads
were the stresses on the loads transferred nicely but it took a larger
transferred nicely but it took a larger
transferred nicely but it took a larger load
load
load that’s a win-win in my book we took a
that’s a win-win in my book we took a
that’s a win-win in my book we took a step further and looked at the case
step further and looked at the case
step further and looked at the case where we actually have low case five
where we actually have low case five
where we actually have low case five showing here where we have the control
showing here where we have the control
showing here where we have the control specimen as the dotted line and then the
specimen as the dotted line and then the
specimen as the dotted line and then the solid black line as the composite
solid black line as the composite
solid black line as the composite specimen so this is the worst case
specimen so this is the worst case
specimen so this is the worst case scenario that if you were to have a
scenario that if you were to have a
scenario that if you were to have a truck or something that go off the edge
truck or something that go off the edge
truck or something that go off the edge how much resistance would you get by the
how much resistance would you get by the
how much resistance would you get by the system we see that the FRP specimen the
system we see that the FRP specimen the
system we see that the FRP specimen the fiber reinforced polymer composites
fiber reinforced polymer composites
fiber reinforced polymer composites didn’t do too badly we see this because
didn’t do too badly we see this because
didn’t do too badly we see this because the bars are quite flexible this
the bars are quite flexible this
the bars are quite flexible this softening system where it still exceeds
softening system where it still exceeds
softening system where it still exceeds that minimum threshold for the load of
that minimum threshold for the load of
that minimum threshold for the load of 200 kilonewtons so we had successful
200 kilonewtons so we had successful
200 kilonewtons so we had successful results with a bridge deck and like I
results with a bridge deck and like I
results with a bridge deck and like I asked earlier when I was thinking how
asked earlier when I was thinking how
asked earlier when I was thinking how can we do this better I extended it from
can we do this better I extended it from
can we do this better I extended it from bridge decks to also working on now
bridge decks to also working on now
bridge decks to also working on now let’s put these FRP bars into a column
let’s put these FRP bars into a column
let’s put these FRP bars into a column to kind of go with this whole notion of
to kind of go with this whole notion of
to kind of go with this whole notion of this semi medalists bridge system so we
this semi medalists bridge system so we
this semi medalists bridge system so we can address this major issue of
can address this major issue of
can address this major issue of corrosion so at Morgan State University
corrosion so at Morgan State University
corrosion so at Morgan State University I’ve had several students and doctoral
I’ve had several students and doctoral
I’ve had several students and doctoral students working on this work where
students working on this work where
students working on this work where we’ve taken it a step further that
we’ve taken it a step further that
we’ve taken it a step further that innovation piece where we have these
innovation piece where we have these
innovation piece where we have these bars that are addressing the issue of
bars that are addressing the issue of
bars that are addressing the issue of corrosion check got that but we also
corrosion check got that but we also
corrosion check got that but we also know that in several environments these
know that in several environments these
know that in several environments these columns must also take some type of
columns must also take some type of
columns must also take some type of lateral loads or may be loads induced by
lateral loads or may be loads induced by
lateral loads or may be loads induced by earthquakes which is a significant issue
earthquakes which is a significant issue
earthquakes which is a significant issue we actually know that two of the largest
we actually know that two of the largest
we actually know that two of the largest earthquakes that happen in the United
earthquakes that happen in the United
earthquakes that happen in the United States happen in 1811 and 1812 in New
States happen in 1811 and 1812 in New
States happen in 1811 and 1812 in New Madrid Missouri right that’s not on the
Madrid Missouri right that’s not on the
Madrid Missouri right that’s not on the west coast the second one in 1886 in
west coast the second one in 1886 in
west coast the second one in 1886 in Charleston South Carolina we have
Charleston South Carolina we have
Charleston South Carolina we have different types of earthquakes on the
different types of earthquakes on the
different types of earthquakes on the East Coast so while we are dressed also
East Coast so while we are dressed also
East Coast so while we are dressed also this issue of corrosion I thought let’s
this issue of corrosion I thought let’s
this issue of corrosion I thought let’s also take it a step further and how we
also take it a step further and how we
also take it a step further and how we can build columns that are resistant to
can build columns that are resistant to
can build columns that are resistant to also absorb energy and can rock but at
also absorb energy and can rock but at
also absorb energy and can rock but at very low levels but still also be
very low levels but still also be
very low levels but still also be resistant so that’s what we’re doing at
resistant so that’s what we’re doing at
resistant so that’s what we’re doing at Morgan State University we’re innovating
Morgan State University we’re innovating
Morgan State University we’re innovating we’re engineering systems to make them
we’re engineering systems to make them
we’re engineering systems to make them better and more sustainable to help
better and more sustainable to help
better and more sustainable to help America’s infrastructure that’s the
America’s infrastructure that’s the
America’s infrastructure that’s the first phase
first phase
first phase the second phase is that we’re going to
the second phase is that we’re going to
the second phase is that we’re going to shake it up a little bit we have a shake
shake it up a little bit we have a shake
shake it up a little bit we have a shake table that allows us to simulate
table that allows us to simulate
table that allows us to simulate earthquakes the table is about 9 feet by
earthquakes the table is about 9 feet by
earthquakes the table is about 9 feet by 9 feet we can mathematically input
9 feet we can mathematically input
9 feet we can mathematically input equations into the driving system and
equations into the driving system and
equations into the driving system and make this thing shake as if it were like
make this thing shake as if it were like
make this thing shake as if it were like a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake at Morgan
a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake at Morgan
a magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake at Morgan State University so we’re really excited
State University so we’re really excited
State University so we’re really excited to expand this research on this step
to expand this research on this step
to expand this research on this step further to look at the dynamic loads so
further to look at the dynamic loads so
further to look at the dynamic loads so that we can put this all together and
that we can put this all together and
that we can put this all together and model it so this is a picture of what
model it so this is a picture of what
model it so this is a picture of what the physical lab looks like in real real
the physical lab looks like in real real
the physical lab looks like in real real time with our strong floor and strong
time with our strong floor and strong
time with our strong floor and strong wall for which we’ll push and pull to
wall for which we’ll push and pull to
wall for which we’ll push and pull to simulate that softer rocking for that
simulate that softer rocking for that
simulate that softer rocking for that column and then in the face – we’re
column and then in the face – we’re
column and then in the face – we’re going to put it on the table and shake
going to put it on the table and shake
going to put it on the table and shake it to also see its performance so the
it to also see its performance so the
it to also see its performance so the question becomes how do we really move
question becomes how do we really move
question becomes how do we really move forward I have this idea to be
forward I have this idea to be
forward I have this idea to be innovative and to really try to engineer
innovative and to really try to engineer
innovative and to really try to engineer a more sustainable solution but the fact
a more sustainable solution but the fact
a more sustainable solution but the fact of the matter is it takes time and it
of the matter is it takes time and it
of the matter is it takes time and it takes a paradigm shift especially with
takes a paradigm shift especially with
takes a paradigm shift especially with the construction industry to accept
the construction industry to accept
the construction industry to accept these different practices and say yes
these different practices and say yes
these different practices and say yes this is something that’s more
this is something that’s more
this is something that’s more sustainable because we all can agree I’m
sustainable because we all can agree I’m
sustainable because we all can agree I’m sure that if we build something use your
sure that if we build something use your
sure that if we build something use your taxpayer money to put salt on it then
taxpayer money to put salt on it then
taxpayer money to put salt on it then have to build it back up just doesn’t
have to build it back up just doesn’t
have to build it back up just doesn’t make sense but we know we have a long
make sense but we know we have a long
make sense but we know we have a long way to go but the hope is that as we
way to go but the hope is that as we
way to go but the hope is that as we move forward that will address these
move forward that will address these
move forward that will address these issues and also look at issues of asset
issues and also look at issues of asset
issues and also look at issues of asset management not only as we inspect the
management not only as we inspect the
management not only as we inspect the bridges and figuring out which bridge
bridges and figuring out which bridge
bridges and figuring out which bridge needs more help but also to prioritize
needs more help but also to prioritize
needs more help but also to prioritize well which one needs more help first so
well which one needs more help first so
well which one needs more help first so we don’t see bridge collapses like we’ve
we don’t see bridge collapses like we’ve
we don’t see bridge collapses like we’ve seen in the past or significant lives
seen in the past or significant lives
seen in the past or significant lives were lost
were lost
were lost thirdly we also need to work on
thirdly we also need to work on
thirdly we also need to work on converting research to practice of
converting research to practice of
converting research to practice of having more implementation projects
having more implementation projects
having more implementation projects where we’ve had full-scale projects in
where we’ve had full-scale projects in
where we’ve had full-scale projects in the laboratory but also having more
the laboratory but also having more
the laboratory but also having more field demonstrations which would also
field demonstrations which would also
field demonstrations which would also help to move this forward as well as
help to move this forward as well as
help to move this forward as well as policy so with that I thank you and I
policy so with that I thank you and I
policy so with that I thank you and I just I’m glad to have shared my
just I’m glad to have shared my
just I’m glad to have shared my experience on how we’ve engineered
experience on how we’ve engineered
experience on how we’ve engineered better bridges thank you
better bridges thank you
better bridges thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment