Challenges and Lessons for Graduate Bridge Engineers

Sangyul is a bridge structural engineer at HNTB Corporation in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He has more than 10 years of combined experience in practice and research in bridge engineering. His project experiences range from bridge rehabilitation to innovative bridge system on the design side and include complex bridge load rating and forensic independent design review on the evaluation side. Prior to joining HNTB, he worked at GM2 Associates and SUNY Research Foundation as a bridge engineer and a research assistant, respectively. Sangyul holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering both from Seoul National University in South Korea and Doctorate degree in structural engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo. Also, he is a registered professional engineer in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island and a member of American Society of Civil Engineers and American Institute of Steel Construction.

Presentation Summary

• Brief overview of bridge engineering practice
• Bridge engineering projects
• Historic steel arch bridge rehabilitation design: Merritt Parkway Bridge over Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut
• Bridge replacement design using innovative GRS-IBS: Bassett Road Bridge over I-91 in North Haven, Connecticut
• Complex bridge evaluation: I-95 Moses Wheeler Bridge over Housatonic River in Stratford & Milford, Connecticut

Perspective from a mid-career practitioner

• Challenges that graduate bridge engineers may face in their early career
• Learned lessons with emphasis on quality and efficiency