PSU Transportation Seminar: Preventing Carbon Emissions With Imaging-Based Civil Infrastructure Assessment And Evaluation

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DATE: 
Friday, February 21, 2025, 12:00pm to 1:00pm PST
SPEAKERS: 
Thomas Schumacher, PSU
COST: 
Free and open to the public
LOCATION: 
Vanport Building, Room 269. Address: 1810 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201
CREDIT: 
PDH: 1 | AICP: 1

Friday Transportation Seminars at Portland State University have been a tradition since 2000. We've opened up PSU Transportation Seminars to other days of the week, but the format is the same: Feel free to bring your lunch! If you can't join us in person, you can always watch online via Zoom.

    PRESENTATION ARCHIVE

    THE TOPIC 

    For concrete bridges without existing plans, simplified and highly conservative load rating (structural evaluation) methods may be used, which can lead to unnecessary load restrictions, unjustifiable strengthening, or in the worst case, preventable replacements. Avoiding these outcomes not only saves money but it prevents carbon emissions from longer travel and construction activities and resources associated with replacement.

    This presentation discusses a case study of a prestressed concrete bridge that required a load rating, and for which no plans existed. Imaging and image fusion using radar and ultrasonic measurements taken from the top and bottom of the slab were performed to produce a digital cross-section of the bridge. Using this image, the location of the reinforcing steel, as well as the location, size, and content of internal air voids could be determined. After extracting these variables and using them in an improved load rating, load restrictions were found to not be necessary for this bridge.

    The resulting digital-cross section not only provides useful information for structural evaluations, but it also represents a basis upon which the digitalization of our infrastructure can be achieved.

    KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

    • Describe how carbon emissions can be prevented by employing advanced structural assessment and evaluation techniques
    • List common non-destructive testing methods used in structural assessments
    • Explain how imaging and image fusion is used to create a digital cross-section of a structure

    SPEAKER

    Thomas Schumacher, Portland State University

    Thomas Schumacher is a Professor and the Associate Chair of Graduate Programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Portland State University. He earned his M.S. and PhD Degrees from Oregon State University in 2006 and 2010, respectively, and his research focuses on developing practical non-destructive evaluation (NDE) tools to support the engineering and preservation of existing structures. He is currently the Chair of ACI Committee 228-Nondestructive Testing of Concrete and a licensed Professional Engineer in Delaware.

    PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    This 60-minute seminar is eligible for 1 hour of professional development credit for AICP (see our provider summary). We can provide an electronic attendance certificate for other types of certification maintenance.

    Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) is a multidisciplinary hub for all things transportation. We are home to the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (IBPI), the data programs PORTAL and BikePed Portal, the Better Block PSU program, and PSU's membership in PacTrans, the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium. Our continuing goal is to produce impactful research and tools for transportation decision makers, expand the diversity and capacity of the workforce, and engage students and professionals through education, seminars, and participation in research.