021026 CSCE Dinner Meeting at the University of New Haven - Earn 1 NYS PDH
Please join CSCE at its monthly dinner meeting at the University of New Haven (UNH) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This meeting is co-sponsored by the CT Chapter of the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute and the ASCE Student Chapter at UNH and will feature a presentation on Pulaski Skyway Span 47 Rocker Bent Replacement and Structural Monitoring Program by Vincent M. Liang, P.E., and Han-Kil Lee, P.E., of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI). Attendees may earn 1 NYS PDH at this event.
The Pulaski Skyway, a vital 3.5-mile, 118-span bridge, has served as a critical artery for Routes 1 & 9 traffic, connecting Newark and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel for over 90 years. It spans the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, the New Jersey Turnpike, multiple railroads, and various industrial areas.
NJDOT has tasked GPI with designing the rehabilitation of the deck truss section from Spans 45 to 61, with lengths ranging from 175 to 300 feet, characterized by alternating truss expansion mechanisms, known as Rocker Bents, located beneath the deck joints. Severe corrosion and pack rust had frozen these Rocker Bents, leading to significant thermal (bending) stress and compromising the bridge's structural integrity. Adjacent truss chords also suffered substantial section loss, necessitating their replacement.
Span 47's Rocker Bent was selected for replacement under a prototype contract to validate the proposed design concept, reconstruction sequence, and jacking procedures. This allowed engineers to test the solution before proceeding with a larger production contract for the remaining affected spans. The innovative strategy involved:
• Installing micropile-founded shoring towers for temporary support prior to jacking.
• Removing dead load stress and isolating a portion of the truss from live loads by jacking up the truss and floorbeams, all while maintaining active traffic flow.
• Replacing the frozen Rocker Bent and compromised adjacent truss members.
• Restoring the original load path through reverse jacking once the replacement was complete.
A rigorous structural monitoring program was implemented throughout the construction process to verify computed structural responses—derived from non-linear, staged construction analysis using CSiBridge—against real-time monitoring of stresses and displacements at each stage of jacking and replacement. Additionally, destructive testing of the removed corroded elements was conducted. This provided invaluable data to assess and validate the estimated pack-rust buildup and corresponding section loss.
This presentation will offer a comprehensive overview of this unique truss chord and expansion system replacement project. It will delve into the specified construction sequence and the truss's real-time response during dead load reversal jacking, chord cutting and replacement, and final jack-down, as revealed by the structural monitoring results. Finally, it will highlight the valuable lessons learned from this prototype contract, providing insights applicable to future infrastructure rehabilitation challenges.
Han Lee, P.E., is a seasoned and passionate Project Bridge Engineer at GPI (Bridgewater, NJ) with 20 years of experience. After receiving his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University in 2005, Han became a Professional Engineer licensed in New Jersey and has since authored many technical papers presented at the IBC and NYC Bridge Conference, covering topics like Isolation Bearings and Truss Panel Replacement. Leading bridge design teams, Han specializes in the analysis and design of complex structures, with expertise in advanced 3D modeling and seismic analysis utilizing CSiBridge and Midas, alongside deep knowledge of AASHTO, ACI, and AISC codes. His recent work includes responsibility for the multi-step staged construction analysis as well as seismic analysis of Pulaski Contract 8A and 8B – an almost 4,000-foot-long section of deck truss model for this 3.5-mile-long bridge. Outside of work, his passions include playing electric guitar for his church band, playing soccer, and spending time with his three young children.
Vincent Liang, P.E., is a Senior Project Bridge Engineer at GPI (Bridgewater, NJ) with 37 years of experience. After earning his B.S. from National Taiwan University in 1987 and his M.Eng. in Structural Engineering from Cornell University in 1988, he became a Professional Engineer licensed in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Florida. His technical expertise is reflected in the many technical papers he has authored for the IBC and NYC Bridge Conference, covering topics like Skewed/Curved Steel I-girder Bridges, Isolation Bearings, and Truss Panel Replacement. Currently, he leads multiple major projects as the lead bridge engineer for the NJDOT Pulaski Skyway Contract 8A and 8B for Rocker Bent Replacement and Truss Bridge Rehabilitation, and NJTA Interchange 17 Replacement for the Construction of the 1700-foot Steel Curved Girder Bridge Spanning over Route 3, and NJTA Mainline and Ramps PQ and TY.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration and Social Hour followed by a Buffet Dinner and Presentation
University of New Haven, Bartels Hall / Campus Center, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516
Please click here for an online campus map.
Directions/Parking on Campus:
Please use the Main Entrance of campus on Boston Post Road (white arrow below), stoplight across from Subway Sandwich) near Anemone & Steven Kaplan Hall
The two orange circles identify 2 parking lots (Maxcy Lot and Admissions Lot North) for meeting attendees and the orange lines are the suggested walking paths to Bartels Hall in the Yellow Star.
Sandwich board signs will guide you to Bartels Hall/Campus Center.
CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $80.00 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $90.00 - Note: To be considered for CSCE Member registration, people need to be current on their CT Section Dues.
Non CSCE Members - No NYS PDH: $90.00
Non CSCE Members who want to earn 1 NYS PDH: $100.00
Full Time Students - No NYS PDH: $30.00
Unemployed CSCE Members: No Charge
Only attending the presentation - No meal: No Charge
Reservations received and accepted after February 3rd, may incur a $10 additional fee.
Payment is required with registration unless other arrangements are made. CSCE cannot give refunds after the final dinner order has been placed.
Please register to attend this dinner meeting by clicking on the following link:
Table Top Sponsor - $100 - Table signs with your company logo on each dinner table
Flyer Sponsor - $250 - Your company logo on event promotional emails and upcoming events flyer distributed at dinner meeting
Promotional Item Sponsor - $500 - This sponsorship offers your company logo on a promotional item that will be distributed at the dinner meeting. The item can either be provided by the sponsoring company or CSCE can order an item that is purchased by the company.
Social Hour Sponsor - $1,000 - Your company logo will be included on meeting promotional material and signage recognizing your sponsorship will be displayed at the social hour.
To sponsor this dinner meeting, please click on the following link:
Donation Opportunities
Please consider a donation to the CSCE scholarship fund to help civil engineering students from Connecticut. All donations will help students in need. To make a donation to CSCE, please click on the following link: