The Transportation Infrastructures Program at the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute focuses on the analysis, design, behavior, and evaluation of transportation-related structures. An interdisciplinary group of faculty with interests in asphalt, concrete, steel, masonry, pavement, and bridges, as well as applications of advanced materials and bridge engineering-related topics, conducts research, education, outreach, and public service activities directed towards the improvement of the nation’s infrastructure.

Recent projects include a study of accelerated test methods to determine long-term behavior of fiber-reinforced-plastic composite structures; evaluation of asphaltic pavement response for validating performance prediction models; the development of wood sound barriers; the static and dynamic testing of 19th century stone bridges; assessment of the physical condition of concrete bridge components; and the development of short-span prefabricated bridge standards and specifications.

• Analysis and design procedures for concrete, steel, masonry, and timber bridge structures
• Testing and characterization of asphaltic materials
• Non-destructive testing and evaluation of bridges and pavements
• Static and dynamic laboratory testing of structural components
• In-situ load testing and monitoring of bridge structures
• Application of advanced materials in bridge and pavement structures
• Fatigue assessment
• Computer applications in bridge engineering
• Vehicle-structure interaction
• Bridge scour
• Structural reliability
• Structural optimization
• Seismic design and analysis

Recent projects in the program include:

• Stone Arch Bridges Inventory Phase II
• FRP Prestressing Highway Bridges
• Research and Development of Short-Span Prefabricated Bridge Standards and Specifications
• Method for Estimating Insertion Losses of Highway Noise Barriers
• Developing Test Method to Predict Moisture Damage in as Asphalt Conrete
• Conduct Field and Laboratory Study to Validate Design Guides for Asphalt Concrete Pavements