Research Statement
My research focuses on the performance, evaluation, and preservation of highway bridges, with an emphasis on prestressed concrete and composite steel–concrete systems. I combine field inspections, load testing, and deck condition assessment with analytical modeling to better understand how real bridges behave under service and extreme loads.
At The University of Texas at Arlington, I have worked on multiple TxDOT bridge projects, including precast element fabrication inspection, non-destructive testing of bridge decks using GPR and Impact Echo, in-service load testing, and load rating. These field measurements are integrated with analytical tools such as CSiBridge, PGSuper, and finite-element models to calibrate design assumptions, identify reserve capacity, and support practical recommendations for maintenance, strengthening, and replacement.
Research Areas
Bridge engineering & load rating
Analytical modeling and load rating of highway bridges, with experience on multiple TxDOT projects using tools such as CSiBridge, PGSuper, and other structural analysis software.
Prestressed & precast concrete structures
Behavior and design of precast/prestressed bridge elements, including fabrication inspection, construction monitoring, and performance evaluation of girders and decks.
Structural evaluation & nondestructive testing
Field testing and condition assessment of bridges using load testing, deck scanning, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and impact-echo methods to inform maintenance and retrofit decisions.
Construction materials & field inspection
Hands-on experience with construction materials testing and inspection, including concrete, soils, masonry, asphalt, and structural steel, as well as documentation of field activities.
Current Projects
Field load testing and rating of TxDOT bridges
Instrumenting and load testing in-service bridges to evaluate stiffness, live-load distribution, and reserve capacity; calibrating analytical models and supporting refined load ratings.
Deck condition assessment using non-destructive testing
Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and Impact Echo to map deck deterioration, identify delaminations, and support data-driven maintenance and rehabilitation decisions.
Modeling of prestressed concrete girders and composite systems
Developing and validating analytical models in CSiBridge, PGSuper, and finite-element frameworks to study the behavior of prestressed girders, composite decks, and connection details.
Performance and life-cycle management of aging bridges
Integrating inspection data, analytical predictions, and load ratings to prioritize repair, strengthening, or replacement strategies for existing bridge inventories.
Research Impact
The overarching goal of my work is to provide transportation agencies with practical, data-driven tools for making better decisions about bridge safety, serviceability, and life-cycle cost. By combining rigorous field testing with advanced structural modeling, my research helps reduce uncertainty in load ratings, extend the useful life of existing bridges, and support more efficient use of construction and maintenance budgets—ultimately contributing to safer and more resilient infrastructure for the traveling public.