News and Events

CEE Professor Sherif El-Tawil reviewed the calculations, said it was feasible to design a pier that would stay standing after such an impact: “If this bridge had been designed to current standards, it would have survived.”

CEE Professor Evgueni Filipov discovers how load-bearing structures like bridges and shelters can be made with origami modules—versatile components that can fold compactly and adapt into different shapes.

CEE Professor Sherif El-Tawil comments about the Key Bridge, built years before the new AASHTO guidelines, “did not benefit from that type of analysis.”

CEE Professor Evgueni Filipov discusses “With both the adaptability and load-carrying capability, our system can build structures that can be used in modern construction.”

CEE Professor Sherif El-Tawil said there are several safety measures that “would have made a huge difference” had they been in place Tuesday morning when a cargo ship plowed into the bridge and caused its collapse.”