Organization
The Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute (CBEI) is the center of concrete bridge-related research, education, and training at The University of Texas at Austin within the Cockrell School of Engineering. Our mission is to serve the concrete bridge community and profession on the most pressing issues encountered across the Nation. This is accomplished through facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships, conducting research which melds engineering practices, and developing unique educational and training opportunities for preparing the current and future generations of our concrete bridge workforce. CBEI draws on resources and engages subject matter experts both within the university and with partners outside of the university throughout the industry.
CBEI seeks to meet the needs identified within the concrete bridge community and help bridge gaps between education, research, and practice. CBEI is established to serve as a national concrete bridge resource for facilitating the above strategies and partnering with other leading agencies, researchers, and others within the concrete bridge community with the goal of addressing issues encountered in concrete bridges and implementing plans to work toward ensuring the reliability expectations are met for concrete bridges. Facets of CBEI include: engaging key stakeholders, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships, conducting research and working with other research institutions, utilizing hands-on training and innovative training techniques. CBEI works closely with centers within the university including: the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, the Laboratory for Infrastructure Materials Engineering, the Smart Structures Research Group, and the Mechanics, Uncertainty, and Simulation in Engineering Group.
Interdisciplinary Approach
The Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute is supported by the expertise within several Cockrell School of Engineering programs. The development of CBEI was driven by the need for an interdisciplinary approach to engineering research, education, and training. Specifically, CBEI collaborates with the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory, the Laboratory for Infrastructure Materials Engineering, the Smart Structures Research Group, and the Mechanics, Uncertainty, and Simulation in Engineering Group.
