Thank you to all of those who attended the 2024 Advancements in Bridge Engineering Research Applications (ABERA) Workshop on July 30, 2024. The purpose of the workshop was to more formally educate practitioners and new users on existing image-based measurement approaches and advanced technologies that are becoming increasingly more widespread for bridge testing and evaluation. Since there are limited accessible educational resources for many of these technologies, this workshop aimed to serve as a clearinghouse of information to address this knowledge gap through presentations and hands-on demonstrations for attendees to become more familiar with the technical merit of these technologies, advancements in image-based measurements, and applications of their use in the field. Bridge engineering results from industry and research projects, ranging from the application of new technologies such as computer vision to inform in-situ behavior to high-performing materials as sensors for crack detection, were presented. These advancements have been implemented in the field and at laboratory-scale, and show promise for future bridge applications.
Given the vast interest, a zoom option was also made available along with professional development hours (PDHs) that were provided to attendees who requested them. There were approximately 30 in-person attendees and 10 zoom registrants. The workshop started with keynote presentations in Session I by PI David Lattanzi and co-PI Monique Head titled, “Computer Vision in Bridge Engineering,” and “Vision-based Measurements for Load Testing,” respectively. There were four additional sessions, ranging from topics on next-generation assessment of civil infrastructure systems using artificial intelligence to nondestructive evaluation methods, where the agenda with a detailed list of presentation titles can be found here.
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The website has been archived and shown below for a glimpse (note that many of the links are inactive).
Welcome to the Advancements in Bridge Engineering Research Applications (ABERA) 2024 Workshop!
Call for Presentations & Demonstrations – Abstract Submission – options for poster and/or lectern presentations! Vendors and exhibitors welcome and must submit the form using the link above!
Registration – click here to register!
Registration Fees – includes 1 boxed lunch
$35 In-person (including students)
$135 Vendors/exhibitors
Final Schedule – 8am-4pm EDT: click here!
Location – University of Delaware, Trabant University Center (Multipurpose Rooms A & B), 17 W. Main St, Newark, DE 19716; Parking – self-paid; reserve a space here!
Important Deadlines for ABERA 2024:
- May 15: Abstract submission due
- June 14: Presenters and vendors notified (updated from June 1)
- July 20: Final registration deadline (updated!) and presentation files due
- July 30: Workshop, 8am-4pm EDT
About ABERA
The aim of the 2024 ABERA Workshop is to disseminate bridge engineering research results from funded projects, ranging from the application of new technologies such as computer vision to inform in-situ behavior to high-performing materials as sensors for crack detection. These advancements have been implemented in the field and at laboratory-scale, and show promise for future bridge applications. These topics may be of interest to practitioners, researchers, and consultants to gain awareness of such methodologies that are likely to supplant or augment many of the existing approaches to condition assessment and repair of structures. Workshop attendees will be exposed to presentations, networking opportunities with various key stakeholders, and hands-on demonstrations. From this workshop, it is anticipated that the various state-of-the-art technologies and materials presented will be more commonly implemented to advance the current state-of-the-practice for testing, monitoring, evaluating, and repairing bridges. Funding in part for this workshop was provided by the CIAMTIS U.S.DOT Region 3 University Transportation Center, where Prof. David Lattanzi (George Mason University) and Prof. Monique Head (University of Delaware) led this implementation project for “Integrating image analysis into civil engineering education and workforce development.” Thank you for supporting this endeavor!
Topics will include:
- Diagnostic Load Testing Using Digital Imaging for Bridges and Culverts
- Multi-modal Computer Vision Framework for Inspections of Hydraulic Structures
- Non-contact Structural Evaluation
- Novel Materials for Structural Rehabilitation
- … and more!
