A 42-month research project at Texas A&M’s Center for Infrastructure Renewal, led by Dr. Kinsey Skillen, aims to revolutionize bridge construction by introducing new methods that enhance performance, reduce costs, and speed up construction.

Dr. Kinsey Skillen, an assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Texas A&M University, serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project titled “Develop/Refine Design Provisions for Headed and Hooked Reinforcement.”

The project, supported by nearly $1 million in funding, brings together the Texas Transportation Institute and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Its focus is on optimizing steel reinforcement anchoring in bridge joints to improve structural integrity and accelerate construction timelines.

Focus on Straddle Bent Structures

‍The research highlights an integral bridge component known as the “straddle bent,” which consists of two large columns and a beam that supports elevated roadways. Current methods for connecting the reinforcing steel between the columns and the beam demand intricate designs and construction. The team’s goal is to develop updated design guidelines for using hooked and headed bars, backed by full-scale experimental tests.

“Researchers begin pouring concrete into the framework of a full-scale straddle bent bridge beam,” noted Texas A&M Engineering.

A promising aspect of the study is the evaluation of “headed bars,” which feature a nut-like head at the end of the reinforcing bar to enhance anchorage. These innovative bars are currently undergoing construction and testing at the High-Bay Laboratory within the Center for Infrastructure Renewal.

This groundbreaking study will be the first to establish formal design provisions for headed reinforcement in bridge applications, giving TxDOT engineers valuable insights for future bridge designs.

Testing and Collaboration

‍Additional experiments are being conducted at UTSA’s Large-Scale Testing Laboratory under the guidance of Co-PI Dr. Adolfo Matamoros. These tests focus on load transfer mechanisms of hooked and headed bars in various bridge applications.

Dr. Skillen, whose expertise lies in large-scale structural testing and reinforced concrete behavior, commented on the importance of this research. His interests include structural monitoring, steel reinforcement anchorage, strengthening existing structures, and applications of ultra-high-performance concrete.

This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward advancing bridge design and construction across Texas and beyond.