The ABC-UTC Professors’ Workshop Series is designed for professors who teach structural engineering and want to incorporate ABC in their courses and others who already teach or would like to teach ABC in their organization. Attendees are provided with resources (e.g., presentation slides) to help them implement what they learn into their classroom or office.

The ABC-UTC held its first Professors’ Workshop Series between August 10 to 20, 2021. Archives of the first four sessions are currently being developed. Please reach out to David Garber (dgarber@fiu.edu) for more details on the workshop series.

Details for the first four sessions are provided below.

Session #1-1:  Introduction to ABC

Date and Time:  8/10/21, Tuesday, 1-2pm EST

David Garber (FIU) and Royce Floyd (OU)

Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) involves the use of innovative planning, design, materials, and construction methods to reduce on-site construction times. While ABC has been used in construction for several decades, it is still not often included in university curriculum and in training of young professionals. The Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC) has developed and compiled a wide assortment of resources that can be used in the classroom and to help train young engineers. This session of the workshop will give attendees an introductory presentation to ABC, show the available resources on the ABC-UTC website, and discuss how these resources can be used in the classroom.

Resources Provided to Attendees:   PowerPoint #1-1-Introduction to ABC

Session #1-2:  Connections and Connection Materials

Date and Time:  8/13/21, Friday, 1-2pm EST

David Garber (FIU) and Royce Floyd (OU)

Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) often utilizes prefabricated elements to reduce on-site construction times. Prefabricated elements are typically constructed in controlled environments using high-quality materials, so the elements themselves are higher quality and more durable than similar constructed-in-place elements. Because of this, the connections between prefabricated elements will often end up controlling the long-term performance of these bridges. There are many different types of connections that can be used between prefabricated superstructure, substructure, and foundation elements. This session of the workshop will give attendees presentations on connections, materials used in connections (including ultra-high performance concrete), and surface finishes used for connection interfaces.

Resources Provided to Attendees:   PowerPoint #1-2-Connections between Prefabricated Elements, PowerPoint #1-3-Materials for Connections, PowerPoint #1-4-Surface Finishes for Connections

Session #1-3:  How to Teach a Specification

Date and Time:  8/17/21, Tuesday, 1-2pm EST

Mike Culmo (CHA Consulting, Inc., speaker), David Garber (FIU, moderator)

Professors are very good at teaching theory.  Engineers are faced with taking theory and applying it to meeting codes and specifications, which are often word smithed by code writers and sometimes lawyers.  Misinterpretation of code and specification language is an often-cited source of problems with design.  This module will cover common AASHTO code format and how they should be interpreted.  The legal meaning of key words like “shall”, “should”, “may” and “recommended” are important to understand.  Even punctuation and units within provisions can have a dramatic effect on proper interpretation of provisions.  These common AASHTO specification formats will be reviewed and clarified.

Resources Provided to Attendees:  pdf of presentation

Session #1-4:  Advancing the Practice of Teaching in Civil Engineering

Date and Time:  8/20/21, Friday, 1-2pm EST

Anthony Battistini (Angelo State University, speaker), David Garber (FIU, moderator)

Teaching a class and accelerated bridge construction (ABC) have numerous things in common. To be effective, both require the engineer to preplan the use of innovative ideas in order to produce a favorable outcome. Most engineers recognize that successful ABC projects result from attention to detail in the schedule as well as having a staging area to prepare the bridge components for installation. With millions of dollars on the line, these engineers work diligently to make sure the project stays on course. Unfortunately, engineering educators do not always approach classroom teaching with the same immediacy, despite the millions of dollars at stake from students’ tuition. This session of the workshop will provide and model numerous ideas and tips for preparing, staging, and delivering an engaging classroom experience.

Resource Provided to Attendees:  pdf of presentation; session handout

 

 

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About the Speakers