The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)- NSRI Lab is leading a research initiative in collaboration with the TxDOT Fort Worth District to address the issue of unknown bridge foundations. Many older bridges in the region lack as-built plans, particularly regarding foundation details, which poses a significant risk during scour events and infrastructure upgrades. This project aims to identify foundation depths of more than 140 bridges using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to enable better scour vulnerability assessments and support safer, more informed bridge management decisions.
Investigate and document the condition and depth of bridge foundations with missing or incomplete construction records.
Apply Sonic Echo/Impulse Response (SE/IR) and Parallel Seismic (PS) methods to determine foundation depths without destructive excavation
Integrate findings into TxDOT’s Form 537 for simplified Scour Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) procedures.
Collect and analyze soil data to assess foundation erodibility and scour risk.
Deliver recommendations for safer bridge inspections, evaluations, and maintenance planning through monthly technical reports, final report and presentation.
Contribute to TxDOT’s infrastructure safety and resilience initiatives through informed decision-making support.
Sponsor: TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation)
BNS Sheikh Hasina, the pioneering submarine base of Bangladesh Navy, stands as an exceptional feat, reigning as the largest of its kind in the expansive region of South Asia. This grand venture, valued at a remarkable $1.21 billion, was set in motion in 2017, propelled by the visionary guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. The commencement of its construction started in 2019, with the capable BRTC-BUET team selected as the entrusted construction consultant.
As a Research assistant of the consultation team, my main tasks involve using software like ETABs, SAP2000, and CSI SAFE to asses and interpret various load patterns for different buildings of this project.
Also ensuring structural integrity, meticulously adhering to the guidelines set forth by BNBC provisions.
Additionally, my role extends beyond technical domain, as active engagement in consultations and effective communication with the Bangladesh Navy and Chinese contractor Poly Technologies Inc (PTI) to address site concerns and facilitate smooth adaptation to design changes.
Producing quarterly reports to encapsulate the overall view of the project's progress.
It was the final year capstone project titled "Development of Vertical Farm in Bangladesh" in Department of Civil Engineering, BUET. A group of 6 people including me as a deputy team leader were developed this project.
Initially, we conducted a thorough feasibility study to ascertain the viability of vertical farming in Bangladesh, culminating in a comprehensive report. The results were nothing short of promising, as our project proved to be both financially and economically feasible.
With a blank canvas before us, we meticulously designed the entire structure from scratch, transforming it into a sustainable green building. Ensuring the structure's stability and safety under various loads presented significant challenges, as the existing BNBC provisions were inadequate for this type of innovative project. Nonetheless, we displayed ingenuity by drawing insights from codes in other countries and employing manual calculations to overcome these hurdles effectively.
Ultimately, we successfully delivered a comprehensive design report, a concise executive summary, and an impressive final project presentation, showcasing our hard work and dedication throughout the entire process.