Approach Slab Static Truck Testing

Last week static truck testing was conducted on instrumented approach slabs at the I-390 bridges over Arlington Heights Road and Prospect Avenue.  These bridges are part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access project by the Illinois Tollway.  The Tollway has funded a research project, Investigation of Approach Slab Construction and Evaluation of Modular Approach Slab Designs, which is being led by Larry Fahnestock and Jim LaFave.  It focuses on approach slabs for integral abutment bridges (IABs), since they are being used extensively in new construction by the Tollway and premature cracking has been observed in approach slabs on Tollway IABs.  This project is using field monitoring and numerical simulations to study the problem and develop strategies for improved performance and extended service life.

Research Team Conducting Static Truck Testing on Approach Slab

Agarwal and Grabner Present at 11NCEE

Congratulations to Aradhana Agarwal and Kelley Grabner for presenting their research in June at the 11th National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, held in Los Angeles!  Aradhana presented “Comparison of the Seismic Performance of Multi-Story and Multi-Tiered Braced Frames” and Kelley presented “Preliminary Performance Assessment of Special Concentrically-Braced Frames for Moderate Seismic Regions.”  Aradhana is continuing in her PhD studies and Kelley is now working for KPFF in Seattle.

SEAOI Central Chapter Trade Show and Symposium 2018

On September 20, 2018 from 8:00am to 5:00pm, the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois will be holding the 2018 Central Chapter Trade Show and Symposium at the i-Hotel on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  This day-long event provides a forum for engineers and architects to interact with trade professionals, and listen to informative presentations.  The Trade Show and Symposium provides six hours of continuing education credit plus numerous opportunities to meet with companies that provide goods and services to the design profession.  For more information and to register, see the SEAOI website:

https://www.seaoi.org/event/central-chapter-trade-show-and-symposium-2018