U of M's I-35W bridge collapse study early results and the country's infrastructure are focus of Nov. 19 public lecture- Presentation includes a computer simulation of the stress on gusset plates - Contacts: Ryan Mathre, University News Service, (612) 625-0552, mathre@umn.edu Rhonda Zurn, Institute of Technology, (612) 626-7959, rzurn@umn.edu |
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 11/14/2008 ) -- The need for investing in our nation's infrastructure and preliminary results of the university's independent study of the I-35W bridge collapse are the focus of the next University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Public Lecture, "Investing in Infrastructure," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the university's Mayo Memorial Auditorium, 425 Delaware St., S.E., Minneapolis. The lecture is free and open to the public, but online registration is recommended at www.it.umn.edu/publiclecture. The I-35W bridge collapse tragedy raised awareness of our country's infrastructure among the general public and elected officials. Today, in these tight economic times, some public policy experts are saying that increased infrastructure spending can help the economy climb back to prosperity. This lecture, presented by U of M civil engineering professor and department head Roberto Ballarini, will highlight the effect of our nation's infrastructure on our quality of life and national security, as well as our culture and pride. He will showcase the amazing infrastructure of roads, bridges, schools, museums and national parks we once had in the United States and the impact of deferred maintenance. He will give examples from competing nations and offer solutions for the future. Ballarini also will discuss the preliminary results of the University of Minnesota's independent study of the I-35W bridge collapse and show a computer simulation of the response of the gusset plates to increasing loads over the life of the bridge. The release of the U's study results follows on the heels of this week's release of the National Transportation Safety Board's final report summary of the I-35W bridge accident. The university's I-35W bridge study was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the university's Center for Transportation Studies and the university's Department of Civil Engineering. For more information or to register to attend the lecture, visit www.it.umn.edu/publiclecture. ---------- |
