R&T Portfolio: Structures
Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Structures research and technology (R&T) program develops guidance, methodologies, and technologies to improve the durability, resilience, and management of transportation infrastructure. The program focuses on the design, construction, evaluation, assessment, and preservation of bridges, tunnels, and other highway structures.
Program Objectives:
- Achieve and sustain a state of good repair of bridges, tunnels, and other structures.
- Implement and enhance the effectiveness of transportation performance management.
- Deliver projects more quickly and efficiently.
- Improve the sustainability and resilience of highway infrastructure.
FHWA’s structural engineering research drives innovation in structural design, construction, and maintenance through the development of best practice guidance and novel solutions to present and emerging challenges in bridges and ancillary structures.
Spotlight Project: Structural Design Guidance for Ultra-High Performance Concrete Bridges
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is the next generation of concrete, with enhanced mechanical properties and exceptional durability. As construction firms and material suppliers begin to engage in the UHPC topic area, there is a clear need for formal structural design guidance that allows for safe, cost-effective use of UHPC in highway bridges. FHWA is facilitating the movement toward UHPC through extensive research on material- and structural-scale behaviors, including full-scale testing of pretensioned bridge girders. A structural design framework that parallels the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO’s) 9th edition of LRFD Bridge Design Specifications guide for conventional concrete is being developed and will be delivered to AASHTO for their review and consideration.
Image source: FHWA
The FHWA works to address structural and operational challenges of tunnels, including novel construction methods and fire suppression.
Spotlight Project: Integrated Design of Fixed Fire Fighting Systems (FFFS) and Emergency Ventilation Systems (EVS)
FHWA has been working with a wide cross-section of professional associations and industry stakeholders throughout the tunnel community to obtain their perspectives and to collaborate on research of the integration of FFFS and EVS. The objective of this project is to identify and address the industry's ability to adequately consider the operational integration of highway tunnel EVS and FFFS, and to then develop a set of suggested and implementable practices on the integration of FFFS and EVS. The anticipated benefits of a fully-integrated FFFS-EVS, include structural protection, increased facility robustness, decreased disaster recovery time, increased road network reliability, and increased cost savings.
Image source: FHWA.
Program activities addressing hurricanes, floods, wind, and other extreme events aim to improve the state of the practice and develop resilient and adaptable systems to mitigate the impact of such hazards on bridges and other structures.
Spotlight Project: Mechanical Coupler Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Connections for Seismic Hazard Zones
Mechanical couplers can facilitate the connection of reinforced concrete precast elements in ABC. With the growing prevalence of ABC in the industry, there is a need for design provisions to extend their application to seismic hazard zones. The Transportation Research Board’s recently published National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 12-105 report proposed a standard acceptance criterion for seismic couplers. The AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures’ Seismic subcommittee asked FHWA to assist in vetting the proposal and assessing its practical application. FHWA is executing an extensive experimental program to assess alternative data collection methods and to vet and verify the proposed acceptance criterion.
Image source: FHWA.
Bridges and other structures require periodic maintenance to ensure that they operate appropriately throughout their intended life span. FHWA research and development (R&D) in maintenance and preservation of transportation infrastructure improves help ensure that bridges and other structures continue to operate efficiently and effectively.
Spotlight Project: Every Day Counts (EDC) EDC-6 Initiative on Bridge Preservation and Repair
With an inventory of more than 610,000 bridges in the United States, there is a need for innovative preservation and repair solutions that address common degradation mechanisms, while providing long-term resiliency to the repaired structures. As part of the EDC program, FHWA researchers are delivering research-based solutions to owners across the country. Whether for bridge deck overlays, link slabs, expansion joint header repairs, or structural component strengthening, UHPC has proven to be a material that offers transportation maintenance personnel with a new tool to address existing challenges.
Image source: FHWA.
Contact Us
Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101
United States
Office of Infrastructure
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Last updated: Thursday, June 9, 2022