Welcome
This is the virtual home for the research group led by Prof. Siang Zhou (Sunny), based at Guangdong University of Technology, School of Civil and Transportation Engineering. We conduct research broadly related to design, performance, and monitoring of infrastructure, spanning across bridges, railroads, and buildings.
Recent News
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Paper Published in Engineering Structures
Paper “Gradient-based algorithmic cross-frame cross-section optimization for skewed steel I-girder integral abutment bridge deck placement response” has appeared in Engineering Structures. This paper presents a first trail to adopt gradient-based structural optimization strategies in bridge design and analysis to achieve cross-frame cross-section optimization for skewed steel I-girder bridges with integral abutments (IABs). The optimized design reduced peak flange lateral bending stress for skewed IABs during deck placement, while reducing total steel usage for cross-frames. Practical considerations, such as design efficiency, computation costs, as well as strength and stability requirements under construction and in-service loading conditions, were discussed in the paper.…
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Papers Appeared in ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering
Papers “Field and Numerical Evaluations of Static and Dynamic Live Load Response in Skewed Steel I-Girder Bridges with Stub and Integral Abutments” and “Evaluating Support Representation and Modeling Strategy for Skewed Steel I-Girder Integral Abutment Bridges during Deck Placement” have appeared in the Journal of Bridge Engineering. The “Field and Numerical Evaluation” paper documents a portion of project ICT R27-194 (“Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Load Distribution in Steel Bridge Superstructures”). This paper reports static and dynamic live load response of two skewed steel I-girder bridges with different abutment conditions under field tests and associated numerical simulations. The “Evaluating Support Representation” paper documents…
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Sedhain Presented at TRB 2025
Congratulations to Bikesh Sedhain (Graduate Research Assistant of UTRGV Civil Engineering) for a successful presentation on 01/06/2025 at the 2025 TRB Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. Bikesh’s presentation “Thermal Response of Horizontally Curved Steel I-Girder Bridges with Various Support Conditions: Uniform Variation and Gradient in Deck and Exterior Girders” summarizes our recent research that evaluates horizontally curved steel I-girder bridge responses with various types of support conditions under uniform (global/seasonal) temperature and thermal gradient (on daily basis).
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Sedhain Presents at 2024 World Bridge Engineering Conference
Bikesh Sedhain (Graduate Research Assistant of UTRGV Civil Engineering) is presenting on 12/13/2024 at the 2024 World Bridge Engineering Conference in Miami, Florida. Bikesh’s presentation “Evaluating Support Condition Modeling Strategies for Skewed Steel I-Girder Bridges during Deck Placement” summarizes our recent research that compares multiple modeling approaches for support conditions and regarding the levels of analysis, for deck placement analysis of skewed steel I-girder integral abutment bridges. This study is part of Bikesh’s graduate research on skewed and horizontally curved steel I-girder bridges, focusing on complex loading conditions such as construction and thermal loads.
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Structural Frame Construction In-Progress
The on-going design and construction of structural testing system at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is approaching final stages with the delivery of the steel parts! The frame is 13 ft (length) by 6 ft (width,) in plane, and 12 ft in height, with a self-sustaining crane system designed on the top. This structural testbed provides bi-axial (in vertical and lateral directions) testing with two movable servo-electric actuators for maximum testing capacity of 50 kips. The research is led by Dr. Sunny Zhou and graduate student Bikesh Sedhain. Stay tuned for the upcoming installation and tests!
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Paper Appeared in ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering
Paper “Parametric Study of Skewed Steel I-Girder Bridge Truck Live Load Response” has appeared in the Journal of Bridge Engineering. This paper evaluates the effect of bridge geometric parameters — including skew of 0°–70°, bridge width ranging from 8 to 26 m (27-84 ft), and abutment type (stub versus integral) — on skewed steel I-girder bridge response through a numerical parametric study (using field-validated models), considering live load positioning across the width of a bridge. The distribution of girder strong-axis and lateral bending stress was analyzed, with peak stress compared to standard Line Girder Analysis calculations. This paper documents a portion…
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Sedhain Selected as UTRGV CE Outstanding Graduate Student
Congratulations to Bikesh Sedhain for being selected as the 2024 Civil Engineering (CE) Outstanding Graduate Student! This is a great achievement to recognize his academic enthusiasm in the past year.
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Zhou Presents for SEAOI Innovation Series
Dr. Sunny Zhou is presenting for the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) Innovation Series on August 22, 2024 about “Evaluation of Superstructure Response and Load Distribution in Skewed Steel I-Girder Bridges”. https://seaoi.wildapricot.org/event-5802123. This invited talk presents part of research outcomes of ICT Project R27-194 “Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Load Distribution in Steel Bridge Superstructures”.
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Paper Appeared in ASCE Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Paper “Long-Term Field Response of Skewed Steel I-Girder Bridge Superstructures under Thermal Variation” has appeared in the Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities. This paper reported more than 2 years of field monitoring of two skewed two-span continuous steel I-girder bridges in Champaign, IL, one with stub abutments (and expansion joints) and the other with integral abutments. Cyclic stress variation under thermal loading and deviation from a seasonal stress-temperature correlation due to changes in abutment restraint and daily thermal gradient are presented. This paper documents a portion of project ICT R27-194 (“Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Load Distribution in Steel…
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Thermal Response For Steel I-Girder Bridges: Data Measurements On-Going at UTRGV
Two beams are positioned outside the Department of Civil Engineering Department at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as part of a research project to evaluate thermal response for steel I-girder bridges. This experimental effort aims to measure vertical thermal gradient on exterior (exposed) girders due to uneven heating from solar radiation, which can induce significant bridge responses. The research is led by graduate students Bikesh Sedhain and Jorge Pena Robles. Our team greatly appreciate the contribution from Palmer Steel Supplies Inc., especially the assistance from Roberto Yarto for providing, transporting, and positing the beams. Stay tuned for the…
Siang Zhou Research Group 