Structures Team

About the team

The Structures Team works to enhance and sustain VDOT’s transportation structures—primarily bridges, tunnels, culverts and ancillary facilities. Its research spans innovative structural materials, advanced design methods, inspection techniques and strategies for maintenance, preservation and management. Emphasis is placed on reliability, durability, ease of inspection, low maintenance and cost-effectiveness at every stage of a structure’s life cycle, with the goal of strengthening Virginia’s overall transportation infrastructure.

Key focus areas include:

• Development, evaluation, and implementation of innovative materials (e.g., concretes, composites, metals) for structure construction and preservation
• Development and deployment of equipment and techniques for evaluating bridge elements and structures
• Refinement of bridge and structure design and performance characteristics
• Advancement of geotechnical solutions for bridge construction and preservation

This team is supported by two Research Advisory Committees (RACs):

• The Bridge Research Advisory Committee (BRAC) is concerned with highway structures within the Commonwealth, including bridges and culverts, making sure design and construction efforts meet expectations of safety and efficiency. 
  
  
• The Concrete Research Advisory Committee (CRAC) examines construction practices, specifications, and testing of materials to establish an agile program of research that will develop and supply tools, technology and expertise necessary to construct and to maintain long-life concrete structures on any transportation facility.

Current Structures Projects

Team leader

Team members