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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Innovation lies at the core of CHI's approach to every undertaking. For each project, we meticulously explore avenues to enhance design performance, safety, and efficiency. We consistently challenge ourselves by questioning if there exist superior methods to achieve the objectives set forth. Our pursuit of optimal designs and solutions has, over time, coalesced into focused research and development in several key areas.

R&D Areas

Innovative Structural Systems

The CHI team has developed and applied innovative engineering technologies to assist unconventional designs, retrofits, and construction, and improve the safety of structures during construction and in service. Some notable examples of the innovative structure system we developed are as follows:

High-load jacking frames and supports for replacing hangers in bridges
High-load jacking frames and supports for replacing truss bearings
Alternate wind tongues for suspension bridges
Alternate load paths for anchorage wind pin and rocker links
Low-profile roadway plates spanning wide expansion gaps

Advanced Engineering Analysis

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Advanced analysis stands as a distinctive forte of CHI. Our expertise extends beyond the mere use of the commercially available software packages for the structural analysis of civil and infrastructure systems. Our in-house programs and development allow us to tackle complex problems and deliver innovative solutions to unique engineering challenges.

Analysis & reinforcement design of complex concrete structure
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Computation fluid dynamic analysis
Simulation of complex structural behaviors, such as contacts and inelasticity
Visualization of analysis results

Engineering challenges are frequently intricate and difficult to conceptualize. We employ cutting-edge scientific visualization techniques combined with our custom code development. This approach enables us to present complex analysis results and extensive data sets in an intuitive manner. It allows individuals to grasp the 'big picture' of complex engineering problems, enhancing understanding and decision-making.  

Innovative Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Solutions

Long-term, continuous and high-precision monitoring system
High confidence data processing and interpretation
Computer vision based, innovative sensing methods

The field of structural engineering is witnessing an increasing integration of computer vision technologies. We have advanced our capabilities to incorporate these techniques, enabling the non-contact detection of subtle structural displacements and determination of modal characteristics for more efficient structural monitoring and diagnosis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Approach

We hold a commitment to advancing AI in structural engineering, including SHM applications. Our pioneering work encompasses the successful deployment of an advanced computer-vision approach for vehicle tracking on these bridges, analyzing vehicle speed and type. When this data is integrated with long-term measurements of structural stress and vibration, it empowers us to evaluate rehabilitation strategies comprehensively. This holistic approach, powered by AI, plays a crucial role in enhancing informed decision-making process for structural design, maintenance, and safety.

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Awards & Recognition

  • High Load Jacking Frames and Supports for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge - received Gold Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York (2024)

  • High Load Jacking Frames and Supports for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge - secured the 9th place at the 2023 Roads & Bridges Top 10 Award

  • Ben Franklin Bridge Wind Tongue, Rocker Links and Wind Bracing Replacement - featured in Bridge Design & Engineering (November 2022 & May 2023)

  • CHI recognized as "Top 10 Bridge Tech Solution Providers 2021" - Construction Tech Review (August, 2021)

  • Robert Moses Causeway Pin and Hanger Replacement - received Platinum Award, Engineering Excellence Awards, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York (2020)

Conferences & Presentations

  • "Smooth and Safe Crossing of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge Amid Major Steel Repairs" NYC Bridge Conference, New York, August 2023

  • "Keep Traffic Moving on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge" International Bridge Conference, Maryland, June 2023

  • "Keep Traffic Moving on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge" ACEC New York webinar, November 2022

  • "Temporary Tower Wind Tongues and Rocker Links for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge" International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh, July 2022

  • "High Load Jacking Frames for Pin and Hanger Replacement at the Robert Moses Causeway" ASCE SEI Met Section Spring Seminar 2022

  • "Temporary Jacking Frame and Hanger for Delaware Memorial Bridges", International Bridge Conference (virtual), June 2020

  • "High Load Jacking Frames for Pin and Hanger Replacement at the Robert Moses Causeway", International Bridge Conference (virtual), June 2020

  • "Open Rib Orthotropic Decks – History and Recent Development", 5th International Orthotropic Bridge Conference, Santa Clara, California, August 2019

  • "Open Rib Orthotropic Decks for The Queensboro Bridge", 5th International Orthotropic Bridge Conference, Santa Clara, California, August 2019

  • "Constructible Orthotropic Deck Details for The Throgs Neck Bridge", 5th International Orthotropic Bridge Conference, Santa Clara, California, August 2019

Journal publications

  • "High Load Jacking Frames for Pin and Hanger Replacement at the Robert Moses Causeway" Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (2020)

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