Join us for the 20th Annual SEAOI Bridge Symposium on
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
This event will be held IN-PERSON!
The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois is pleased to announce the 20th Annual Bridge Symposium, which provides a forum for engineers to share analysis, design, and construction information from recent projects with unique and/or distinguishing characteristics. Attendance typically represents a diverse cross-section of all aspects of the profession, including design, construction management, material suppliers, academia, general contracting, and owners’ representatives.
Program
|
7:30am - 8:00 am |
Registration/ Breakfast |
|
8:00 am - 8:10 am |
Welcome and Introduction to the Symposium |
|
8:10 am - 8:40 am |
Longfellow Bridge Rehabilitation Design-Build |
|
8:40 am - 9:10 am |
Cottonbelt 26-mile new Rail Corridor - A Design/Build Project |
|
9:10 am - 9:13 am |
Platinum Sponsor - HBM Engineering Group |
|
9:13 am - 9:25 am |
Break - visit exhibitors |
| 9:25 am - 9:55 am |
Evaluation of Early 20th Century Open Spandrel Concrete Arch Bridges |
|
9:55 am - 10:25 am |
Webster Ave Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation |
|
10:25 am - 10:28 am |
Platinum Sponsor - Nucor |
| 10:28 am - 10:38 am |
Break - visit exhibitors |
|
10:38 am - 11:08 am |
Replacing the Historic Nettle Creek Aqueduct |
|
11:08 am - 11:38 am |
Pearl Sessions (short presentations):
|
|
11:38 am - 12:08 pm |
Aerodynamic Implications of Refurbishing Existing Bridges |
|
12:08 pm - 12:38 pm |
Lunch |
|
12:38 pm - 1:38 pm |
Keynote Presentation: Structural Engineering – Reflections from a Non-Structural Engineer |
|
1:38 pm - 1:41 pm |
Platinum Sponsor - CTL Group |
|
1:41 pm - 2:01 pm |
IDOT Structural Update |
| 2:01 pm - 2:15 pm |
Break - Visit exhibitors |
|
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm |
Strengthening and Restoration of a 150 Year Old Cast and Wrought Iron Bowstring Pony Truss |
|
2:45 pm - 2:48 pm |
Platinum Sponsor - Michael Baker International |
|
2:48 pm - 3:18 pm |
The Design and Construction of the Old Post Office West Plaza – A Case Study in Complex Urban Infrastructure |
|
3:18 pm - 3:21 pm |
Platinum Sponsor - HNTB |
|
3:21 pm - 3:40 pm |
Break - Visit exhibitors |
|
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm |
ISHTA Structural Update Mohamad Faraj - Illinois State Toll Highway Authority |
|
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm |
Impact Repair Instrumentation and Monitoring at the Sunshine Bridge Jack Dai - Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. |
|
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
Rehabilitation of GCRTA's Waterfront Line Bridge |
|
5:00 pm |
Adjourn |
Location
The Old Post Office
433 W Van Buren St
Chicago, IL
Parking information available here!
Registration
Early Bird - register before 3/25/23 to receive discounted pricing!
- $300 - SEAOI/SEA Member
- $425 - Nonmember
Regular Registration Rates effective 3/25/23 12 am:
- $400 - SEAOI/SEA Member
- $525 - Nonmember
Students:
- $150
Government Employee Rate:
- $200 - SEAOI/SEA Member
- $300 - Nonmember
Government Employees shall be from the following organizations: Departments of Transportation (City or State), including IDOT, CDOT, ISTHA, etc.; RTA - Chicago Transit Authority/Metra/Pace; Chicago Building Department. Other agencies will be reviewed and accepted at the discretion of the Bridge Symposium Committee. Please contact staff@seaoi.org to request acceptance if you believe you qualify for the rate but are not employed by one of the above agencies.
Group Registration: Companies with 5+ attendees will receive $50 off each registration fee. Complete list of attendees' names and addresses must be submitted to office@SEAOI.org to qualify and for registration.
Exhibitor Opportunities -- $1,000
- Dedicated table in event space (approx. 4'x2')
- One admission to event
- Recognition in the program and from the podium
- Access to participants during breakfast, lunch and breaks during the day
Sponsor Opportunities
A/V Sponsor- $3,000 (1 available)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the A/V Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world\
- 24” x 36“ Sponsor recognition poster at event entrance
- Dedicated Welcome Slide
- Two registrations to event
Program Sponsor - $1,200 (SOLD OUT)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Program Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- Dedicated back page of program given to all registrants
Platinum - $1,200 (SOLD OUT)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Platinum Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- Two minutes of speaking time during the event
Breakfast Sponsor- $1,000 (SOLD OUT)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Breakfast Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Breakfast
Lunch Sponsor- $2,000 (SOLD OUT)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Lunch Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Lunch
- Lunch served with cocktail napkins branded with sponsor's name/logo
Afternoon Break Sponsor- $1,000 (SOLD OUT)
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as the Afternoon Break Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- 8.5” x 11” Sponsor recognition signage during Afternoon Break
Gold - $900
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Gold Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- Sponsor logo and recognition as a Gold Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
- Two SEAOI Tuesday Update Ads (date TBD by both parties)
Silver - $700
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Silver Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- Sponsor logo and recognition as a Silver Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
- One SEAOI Tuesday Update Ad (date TBD by both parties)
Bronze - $400
- Sponsor logo inclusion and recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in SEAOI’s marketing efforts (email blasts, Tuesday Update, SEAOI website, etc.) to over 2,400 structural engineers and members of the built world
- Sponsor logo and recognition as a Bronze Sponsor on all Welcome and Thank You slides
Meet the Speakers
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Jim Harper, PE
Chief Engineer for Infrastructure - Chicago Transit Authority
Jim Harper is a licensed PE with over 35 years of experience in the transit industry. He has been the Chief Engineer for Infrastructure at the Chicago Transit Authority for the past 12 years, and was previously in a number of engineering and maintenance positions at the agency. Prior to his tenure at the CTA, Mr. Harper worked as a consultant on a number of transit projects including five years on the Hiawatha Light Rail design/build project in Minneapolis. He started his career as a Systems Engineer on the O’Hare People Mover Project. Jim has a BSME from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Urban Systems and Policy Planning from Northwestern University.
Structural Engineering – Reflections from a Non-Structural Engineer
The Structural Engineering Profession touches everyone’s life countless times on a daily basis. Unfortunately, society takes for granted the skills, knowledge and (and oftentimes courage to push the envelope) that were needed to conceptualize, design and construct what are sometimes iconic structures, and in other cases are fully hidden from view. Born and raised in Michigan, and eventually in my career as a “non-structural” engineer in Chicago, my appreciation for art, science, and challenges of the structural engineering profession continues to evolve. Travelling across the Mackinaw Bridge for our annual summer vacations in Michigan’s upper peninsula was always the highlight of our trips. The many challenges and setbacks of building the Zilwaukee Bridge was frequently a topic of discussion around my family’s dinner table. My first job after graduate school helping to design and construct the people mover at O’Hare Airport introduced me to the many challenges faced by structural engineers as they design significant structures around countless constraints. Finally, my career at the CTA has immersed me in a “structure-centric” engineering organization with a hundred year history of designing, constructing and maintaining miles and miles of bridges. This presentation will summarize my journey as an “outside” observer of the profession, and hopefully promote some discussion as to how to encourage the next generation to better understand and appreciate the profession’s contributions.
Jack Dai
Senior Associate - Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Since joining WJE in 2018, Jack Dai has been involved in a broad range of projects, that have included the evaluation, testing, instrumentation and monitoring, vibration analysis, and nondestructive evaluation of a variety of structures. His background and interests include structural dynamics, condition assessment of historic structures, load testing, nondestructive evaluation, and full-scale laboratory testing.
Impact Repair Instrumentation and Monitoring at the Sunshine Bridge
WJE engineers performed instrumentation, monitoring, as well as finite element modeling and jacking system design to assist LADOTD with the emergency repair of the truss chord of the Sunshine Bridge damaged by the crane barge.
Brian Umbright, PE, SE
Vice President – Transportation - EXP
Brian has more than 28 years of experience as a structural engineer, project manager and transportation division manager, the last 8 for EXP. Brian was the Project Manager and EOR for this project.
Replacing the Historic Nettle Creek Aqueduct
Brian Umbright is Vice President – Transportation for EXP based out of Chicago and manages their Midwest transportation practice. He is an industry veteran with more than 28 years of experience as a bridge engineer, project manager and principal responsible for delivering projects from $3M to $300M in size. Brian is an industry advocate who participates in a number of professional organizations and committees and is currently a Board Member of SEAOI. Brian is a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois and 8 other states as well as a Illinois Licensed Structural Engineer. Brian lives in Naperville with his wife and 4 children and was the Project Manager for the Nettle Creek Aqueduct project.
Jon Beckstrom, P.E., S.E.
Bridge Engineer - Michael Baker International
Jon serves as a Structural Engineer with Michael Baker International and has over 9 years of bridge structural analysis and design for clients across the nation. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois. He has performed structural analyses and load ratings on new construction and historic complex bridges. He has design experience with both pedestrian and vehicular bridge structures.
Evaluation of Early 20th Century Open Spandrel Concrete Arch Bridges
Concrete open spandrel arch bridges were a common construction in the early-20th century and can be found scattered across the Midwest. These bridge structures are a sight to behold and unique from the standard steel composite highway bridges you see every day but are truly a challenge to analyze and load rate effectively. It is important to accurately represent the as-built and current condition of the structure without being overly conservative. In 2022, IDOT retained Michael Baker to load rate three concrete spandrel arch bridges in Illinois. This work order included a load rating bridge inspection for one of the bridges to assess the deteriorated condition and apply these modifications to our load rating analysis capacities. 3D FEM refined analysis techniques were implemented to model the behavior of the arch bridges. This presentation will provide a solution to a complex load rating problem and teach attendees best practices for the analyses of concrete open spandrel arch bridges.
Jamal Grainawi, PE, SE, Technical Fellow
Manager of Movable Bridge, Sr. Vice President - WSP USA
Jamal Grainawi, PE, SE: Manager of movable bridges at WSP; Sr. Vice President, Certified Sr. Project Manager, Technical Fellow and has over three decades of experience in all aspects of bridge engineering. He received his BS and MS degrees in Civil/Structural Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, in Chicago, Illinois and is a licensed (P.E.) in several states and (S.E.) in Illinois. Before joining WSP, he worked for the MassDOT in the Bridge Section in Boston. He is a member of several professional organizations including: SEAOI, AAAEA – Board of Directors, Heavy Movable Structures, Inc., and ACEC-IL. He is also the founder and manager of the Movable Bridge Engineers Network Group in LinkedIn, with over 3,850 members worldwide.
Matthew Hellenthal, PE, SE
Technical Manager, Senior Associate – Benesch
Matthew Hellenthal, PE, SE is a Technical Manager at Benesch, where he has worked on numerous structural projects over the past fourteen years. He specializes in bridge design, earth retention structures, and complex girder erection for roadway and rail projects. Mr. Hellenthal has been involved in all stages of project development including feasibility studies, value engineering, design, plan production, and construction services on projects across the country.
Webster Ave Bascule Bridge Rehabilitation
This presentation will discuss the major rehabilitation of Webster Ave bascule bridge in Chicago. The work includes replacement of superstructure in the bascule leafs and approach spans, and repair of trusses. Additional repairs to various structural members and architectural features. The approach span enclosure walls and bridge houses were fully replaced with cast-in-place and precast concrete, respectively. The project included new pier protection with four dolphin pile clusters. The roadway was rebuilt, and ADA ramps were reconstructed with the sidewalks.