In this episode, we talk with Roberto Leon, P.E., Ph.D., professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, about the aftermath of the Baltimore Bridge collapse, including what the future holds for its reconstruction and the broader implications for infrastructure resilience.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Roberto:
- Can you provide an overview of the Baltimore Bridge collapse, including its immediate impact on both infrastructure and the community?
- What are the full financial repercussions, both immediate and long-term, of a port shutdown caused by traffic congestion?
- Was the Baltimore Bridge collapse due to a design flaw or just a terrible accident?
- Can stronger bridge designs, exceeding recommended standards, prevent collisions even if they’re not always implemented?
- Considering the bridge’s code design standards, how old is the bridge and was it built to meet those standards?
- Did older bridge codes, like the one for the Baltimore Bridge, have a lower chance of withstanding a ship collision compared to today’s standards?
- How do engineers balance the need for safety in structures like bridges with the cost of building them to withstand extremely rare events?
- Will the Baltimore Bridge collapse force the industry to rethink bridge designs for better collision protection?
- Why do we need engineers to explain the importance of safety features in bridges, since we naturally expect them to be safe anyway?
- Do cable-stayed bridges offer advantages in design flexibility or visual appeal that make them preferable for this replacement project?
- Given the need for a fast replacement, can building this bridge on an accelerated timeline be done safely and efficiently?
- With a fast-tracked timeline and potential hidden costs in the foundation, how can planners ensure this multi-billion-dollar bridge project stays on budget?
- If public awareness of bridge vulnerabilities led to increased funding, what additional protective measures could be implemented?
- With a four-year closure disrupting the community, how does this bridge rebuild timeline compare to similar past collapses?
- How will the community cope with the four-year bridge closure, affecting commutes, work access, and daily needs?
- How can engineers bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding?
- What advice would you give young engineers?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About the Revolutionary Aftermath of the Devastating Baltimore Bridge Collapse:
- The collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore, caused by a ship grounding, disrupted port access and communication channels, impacting local infrastructure and businesses and affecting the community’s transportation and economy.
- A port shutdown due to traffic congestion can have immediate and long-term financial repercussions. In the short term, businesses incur losses from disrupted operations, while the long-term consequences may include shifts in shipping routes, leading to decreased port usage and a potential economic decline for the affected region.
- The Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was caused by a collision with a fast-moving, fully loaded ship rather than a design flaw, which illustrates the challenge of balancing safety and cost in infrastructure planning.
- Stronger bridge designs that exceed standards can reduce damage from collisions, even if not always used. Engineers often recommend safety improvements, like those seen in the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
- The bridge is almost 50 years old and was built to meet the design standards of its time. Its through-truss design efficiently carried loads with minimal material, reflecting the engineering requirements and cost considerations of that era.
- Older bridge codes, like the one for the Baltimore Bridge, had a lower chance of withstanding a ship collision compared to today’s standards. Modern codes use advanced analyses to better account for such risks.
- Engineers balance safety and cost by using long-tail probability distributions to assess the risks of rare events. While they design structures to meet up-to-date standards, making them completely fail-proof against extremely rare events would be prohibitively expensive.
- The Baltimore Bridge collapse will likely prompt the industry to rethink bridge designs for better collision protection. Updated standards and a focus on enhancing safety measures will become more critical to preventing similar incidents in the future.
- Engineers are needed to explain the importance of safety features in bridges because, while we expect them to be safe, understanding the complexities of design and safety trade-offs requires specialized knowledge. Their role is crucial in effectively communicating why safety features are essential to the public and decision-makers.
- Cable-stayed bridges offer advantages in design flexibility and visual appeal that make them preferable for this replacement project. Their potential for prefabrication and varied span possibilities, along with their aesthetic appeal, make them a suitable choice for signature bridges like the one desired for Baltimore.
- Constructing the bridge quickly is possible with methods like accelerated bridge construction (ABC), but safety and efficiency must be prioritized. Meeting tight deadlines requires adherence to rigorous design and construction standards to ensure a safe and reliable bridge.
- With increased funding from public awareness, additional protective measures for bridges could include stronger structural reinforcements, better monitoring systems for early issue detection, and advanced safety technologies like impact-resistant barriers or warning systems for approaching vessels.
- The four-year timeline for rebuilding the Baltimore Bridge is disruptive to the community, aligning with similar past collapses. To mitigate disruption, innovative construction methods like accelerated bridge construction could be utilized.
- During the four-year bridge closure, the community will need to adapt travel routes and transportation options for work and daily errands. Close cooperation among local authorities, businesses, and residents will be essential to minimize disruptions and maintain essential services.
- Engineers can bridge the gap by engaging with the public through local initiatives and clear communication. By explaining technical concepts in simpler terms and involving the community in decision-making, they can build understanding and trust.
- Traveling and experiencing different cultures broaden perspectives and provide valuable lessons, even from countries perceived as less developed. Coupled with reading literature and exploring the arts, it enriches understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, enhancing the education of engineers.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Roberto Leon, P.E., Ph.D.
Roberto T. Leon is the Via Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. Dr. Leon’s is a structural engineer whose research focuses on the dynamic behavior and design of composite and hybrid steel-concrete structures, the testing of full-scale and model structures in the laboratory, and the field instrumentation of structures. Among other positions, Dr. Leon has served as President of the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE), the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEESinc), the Board of Governors of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of ASCE, and the Board of the Applied Technology Council (ATC). He is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota, the co-author of a book on composite construction, a non-technical book on bridges and tunnels, and the author and co-author of over 135 articles in refereed journals and lectures internationally on topics ranging from composite construction to seismic steel design.
About the Hosts
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, and concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Rachel Holland, P.E.
Rachel is an experienced R&D engineer, developing and patenting multiple new structural connectors. She also offers her expertise to both end users and specifiers as a branch engineering supervisor. She represents Simpson Strong-Tie as a deck expert, educating others how to properly build code-compliant decks. Before starting her career working for a manufacturing company, she spent many years working for engineering consulting companies. She earned her Architectural Engineering undergrad degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from California State University, Monterey Bay. Rachel is a licensed P.E. in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Sources/References:
Virginia Tech
Baltimore Bridge
Port of Baltimore
AASHTO (American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
I -35W Bridge
University of Minnesota
Hurricane Katrina
MDOT (Maryland Department of Transportation)
WeBuild
Santiago Calatrava
Oakland San Francisco Bay Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration)
Port of Kobe
Connect with Roberto Leon, P.E., Ph.D,, on LinkedIn
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