Richmond Branch: November Technical Meeting

When:  Nov 13, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM (ET)
Associated with  Richmond Branch

November Topic: Overview of AASHTO Ship Collision Criteria for Bridges & Francis Scott Key Bridge Replacement

Presented By:

Join the ASCE Richmond Branch for a monthly technical lunch meeting presented by ASCE Structural Engineers Institute Richmond Chapter where our community of civil engineers can come together to network, learn about exciting new topics, and earn 1.0 PDH credit. 

Please take a moment to assist ASCE Structural Engineers Institute Richmond Chapter, this months presenting organization, by completing this survey SEI-RVA Questionnaire.  This will help them focus future events on the needs and interests of the Structural Engineering community here in Richmond!

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse (Photo Courtesy NTSB)

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Abstract:

Overview of AASHTO Ship Collision Criteria for Bridges & Francis Scott Key Bridge Replacement

Worldwide attention about ship collision issues occurred after the Key bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, due to a collision by the M/V Dali (a large container ship that was outbound from the Port of Baltimore) that caused the total collapse of the main section of the long-span bridge and 8 fatalities. The lecture will include the background of the AASHTO vessel collision design provisions for bridges with examples of historic bridge collapses due to ship and barge impacts. An overview of the AASHTO risk analysis procedures will be provided as well as how the basic analysis principles in the Bridge Design Code can be modified to incorporate complex channel geometries and navigation regulations related to ship operations as part of the vessel collision analysis and design process for bridges. Alternative types of physical protection structures and non-physical protection measures to reduce the risk of collision will be illustrated. The design currently underway for the Francis Scott Key bridge replacement in Baltimore, MD will be briefly discussed. 

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Presenter:

Michael Knott - Senior Vice President Emeritus with Moffatt & Nichol

Michael Knott, PE, is Senior Vice President Emeritus with Moffatt & Nichol, a global engineering consulting firm specializing in transportation, port facilities, and coastal engineering. Mike is a world recognized expert on complex issues related to extreme events, bridge design, port engineering, and heavy marine foundations. During his 48-year career, he developed a unique expertise on the specialized subject of ship and barge collisions with bridges and marine structures and has conducted vessel collision analysis, design, and evaluations for over 100 bridge projects. He was the principal author of the AASHTO Guide Specification on Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges, 2nd Edition 2009, as well as the previous edition published in 1991. Mike was a selected member of the National Academy of Sciences team of bridge experts which developed the original AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications in 1994 for FHWA and AASHTO. He has represented the U.S. on several PIANC and IABSE working groups developing international criteria for ship collision with bridges and has authored and co-authored technical papers and publications related to extreme event design for bridges, including vessel collision, scour and coastal storms.

Mike is a graduate of Virginia Tech, receiving his BSCE in 1974 and a MSCE in 1975. In his senior year he also served as President of the Student Engineering Council. Mike will be giving the lecture on behalf of the authors.

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Sponsor: 

Sponsorship for this event still available!

For information on how your company could sponsor future ASCE Richmond events please contact Niko Ambrose at [email protected].

Location

Libbie Mill Library
2100 Libbie Lake E Street
Richmond, VA 23230

Pricing Information

Registration Price
All Registrants $0.00
   
In-Person (ASCE Member) Price
All Registrants $15.00
   
In-Person (non-ASCE Member) Price
All Registrants $20.00
   
Virtual Attendee Price
All Registrants $15.00
   
Student Price
All Registrants $0.00
   
Meeting Sponsorship Price
All Registrants $250.00
Event Image

Contact

Allen Parker
(540) 735-8312
[email protected]
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