Civil Infrastructure Durability Home
Civil Infrastructure Durability
Developing novel structural systems utilizing new hybrid, composite, and bio-enhanced thermoplastic materials that possess greater longevity and speed of construction.
Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E
Bodwell University Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dr. Eric N. Landis, P.E.
Frank M. Taylor Professor of Civil Engineering
James Bryce
Sr. Program Manager, Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center
Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido, P.E.
Malcolm G. Long Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Dr. Bill Davids, P.E
Bodwell University Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Contact Civil Infrastructure Durability
Research Overview
Research at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center is at the forefront of developing novel, corrosion-resistant, rapidly deployable structures and infrastructure components utilizing next-generation composite materials. The team also works closely with State Departments of Transportation to assess and enhance the longevity of existing infrastructure through bridge field testing, asset monitoring, and the characterization of construction materials. Additionally, researchers develop advanced analysis methods and software for bridge capacity estimation. With partners such as AIT Bridges and the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC), the ASCC is demonstrating these cutting-edge technologies in the field, improving transportation infrastructure in Maine, New England, and beyond.
Moving forward we will continue to pursue projects in partnership with industry and government stakeholders to advance and deploy promising Center-developed technologies that are more sustainable, durable, and long-lasting.
The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC) is the 2018 US DOT Region 1 (New England) University Transportation Center (UTC) located at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. TIDC’s focus is on helping state DOTs extend life and improve the durability of their transportation assets through the development of new technologies, materials, and structures. TIDC has six member Universities within the New England Region.
Research Area 1: Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring and Assessment for Enhanced Life
Managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing every country in the world. Research conducted in this area tackles this issue through the development and implementation of novel strategies for the assessment and health monitoring of highway bridges, rail structures, pavements, and foundations. The resulting picture of the health of these vital elements of our transportation infrastructure will provide the information required to prioritize repair and replacement, while advanced assessment will allow structures to remain in service longer.
Research Area 2: New Materials for Longevity and Constructability
This area investigates new materials and technologies to improve durability and extend the life of transportation infrastructure. The materials and technologies investigated will improve multi-modal transportation connections.
Research Area 3: New Systems for Longevity and Constructability
This thrust area focuses on the evaluation, development, and application of engineering systems to improve the durability and longevity of new and existing transportation infrastructure. In these times of economic austerity, New England’s transit networks face challenges related to cold weather, aging, deterioration, evolving load demands, and construction efficiencies. Addressing these issues, applicable to both roadway and railway modes of transit, will alleviate existing and future financial strain on the region.
Research Area 4: Connectivity for Enhanced Asset and Performance Management
The system operational efficiency of transportation infrastructure can be improved by smart technologies that connect the infrastructure to information/management systems, vehicles and roadway users. These emerging, connected technologies, coupled with management systems can improve the durability of existing and new infrastructure. This is essential in the coming age of highly automated, connected vehicles and given the need to improve the performance of the existing infrastructure through more cost-effective and targeted assessments of asset vulnerabilities due to extreme weather events. This will increase system performance, lower the costs of maintenance and provide more timely notification of assets that need immediate repair or replacement. Managing infrastructure for performance, capacity and maintenance with connected technologies will become the standard expectation of the future. This thrust area applies to all forms of infrastructure including highway and railroad bridges and other fixed assets including roadways and ramps.
Bridge in a Backpack: Composite Arch Bridge
The Composite Arch Bridge System, commonly known as Bridge-In-A-Backpack, has been used in 28 bridges in the U.S. and beyond. This technology accelerates bridge construction time, reduces life cycle costs, and has received top industry recognition. It’s a lightweight, corrosion-resistant system for short to medium-span bridge construction that uses FRP composite arch tubes as both reinforcement and formwork for cast-in-place concrete. The arches are easily transportable, rapidly deployable, and do not require the heavy equipment or large crews required for traditional construction materials.
Additional Information
The patented FRP system has been tested with advanced structural characterization, predictive modeling, and fatigue testing. Additionally, environmental durability tests for UV, fire, and abrasion resistance were conducted.
Our innovative composite bridge system:
– Coincides with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) code
– Lowers construction costs
– Extends structural lifespan up to 100 years
– Serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional construction methods
– Features designs that are engineered to exceed AASHTO load standards for single-span bridges from 20 feet to over 65 feet
The Composite Arch Bridge System has received the following rewards:
– 2015 White House Transportation Champion of Change Award by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the White House Office of Public Engagement
– 2011 Charles Pankow Award for Innovation by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
– 2011 Engineering Excellence Awards by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
– 2010 Most Creative Product Award by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA)
Composite Bridge Girders: GBeams
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tub-girders (GBeams) were developed and patented at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and licensed to AIT Bridges. Following rigorous testing to determine their strength and fatigue resistance, GBeams were first deployed in December 2020 for the construction of the Grist Mill Bridge on US Route 1A in Hampden, Maine. The GBeam technology is corrosion resistant and designed to last over 100 years with little to no maintenance. The composite girders weigh as little as one-quarter of an equivalent steel girder and are a promising, sustainable, low-cost alternative to steel and concrete that is easy to install.
The many benefits of the composite GBeam technology are attracting interest from Departments of Transportation across the U.S. The technology is already slated for use in bridge replacement projects in Washington, California, Florida, and Rhode Island. GBeams are fabricated by AIT Bridges and shipped to destinations nationwide.
Grist Mill Bridge Installation
Timelapse and drone footage from the installation of five GBeams at Grist Mill Bridge in Hampden, ME. Two pairs of girders were connected and installed with utilities prior to being lifted into the abutments. One girder spans 75′ and weighs about just under 10,000lbs.
Carbon Fiber Strand: Bridge Monitoring
Using tools for measurement like fiber-optic strain sensors and temperature sensors, the ASCC has installed and monitored six carbon fiber composite strands on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge since 2007. These strands are high-strength and non-corrosive composite materials, which inherently last longer than traditionally used steel and result in cost savings. This research is ongoing between the MaineDOT, the ASCC, and the TIDC. The goal is to replace more strands in the coming years to continue the evaluation of this technology; the first application of its kind in the United States.
Advanced Infrastructure Technologies
As a privately held company licensed by the University of Maine to produce composite arch bridges, AIT Bridges is an engineering and manufacturing company that supplies advanced composite materials for bridges, while providing low-cost solutions to the aging and deteriorating transportation infrastructure industry.
Successful Installations
Loutsis Creek Bridge
Duvall, WA – Completed 2020
50’ Span, 12 Arches
Fitchburg, MA – Completed 2011
37.5’ Span, 15 Arches
Wyalusing, PA – Completed 2019
56’ Span, 13 Arches
Perkins Bridge
Belfast, ME – Completed 2010
38.0’ Span, 13 Arches
McGee Bridge
Anson, ME – Completed 2009
28.0’ Span, 9 Arches
Jenkins Bridge
Bradley, ME – Completed 2010
28.5’ Span, 14 Arches
Ellsworth, ME – Completed 2012-2013
Grist Mill Bridge in Hampden, Maine – Completed 2021
Fort Myers, FL
Completed – 2018
Royal River Bridge
Auburn, ME – Completed 2010
38.0’ Span, 13 Arches
Lagrange, ME – Completed 2012-2013
36.0’ Span, 13 Arches
Farm Access Overpass
Caribou, ME – Completed 2011
54.0’ Span, 22 Arches
Bridge Assessment with MaineDOT
ASCC researchers and students have field-load-tested more than 30 bridges for the MaineDOT to more realistically determine their capacity. While conventional engineering analysis requires limiting truck weights and transportation restrictions, this testing has lifted these weight restrictions for approximately two-thirds of the tested bridges. Finite-element analysis software developed by ASCC researchers that more realistically predicts concrete slab bridge capacity has been adopted for use by the MaineDOT and consulting engineering firms, replacing the need to perform less accurate conventional analyses. A novel, nonlinear finite-element analysis method for assessing older T-beam bridges developed at the ASCC has been used to keep structures open and fully functional. Ultimately, this research has led to a significant reduction in bridge maintenance and repair costs and fewer travel limitations.
The Knickerbocker Bridge: Hybrid Composite Beams
Long-term durability of bridges is a major concern for transportation departments across the country. In response to this concern, the UMaine Composites Center validated a hybrid composite beam designed by HC Bridge Company, LLC, that was fabricated by Harbor Technologies in Brunswick, Maine. The hybrid composite beam, made of fiber-reinforced polymer, is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong enough to be used for bridge construction.
The Knickerbocker Bridge
The Knickerbocker Bridge, over Back River in Boothbay, ME, is the longest composite bridge in the world at 540 feet long and is 32-feet-wide. The bridge opened to traffic in 2011.
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