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Specialty Engineering, Inc

Specialty Engineering, Inc

Multi-discipline structural engineering consulting and research firm focusing on Highway and Railroad Bridge Design, Analysis, Rehabilitation, Inspection, and related engineering services.

  • Experience & Services
    • Bridge Design & Rehabilitation
    • Complex Bridge Evaluation
    • Fatigue and Fracture Evaluation
    • Bridge Inspection
    • Seismic Design and Evaluation
    • Structural Testing
    • Bridge & Tunnel Inspections
  • Clients
  • Affiliations
  • DBE/MBE Status
  • News
  • Research
  • About Us
    • Locations
    • Employment

Research

Selective Publications:
The following list of publications were authored by SEI’s staff. For further information, send email to: lylai@sei-engineers.com.

Lai, L. “Rehabilitation Design and Construction of A Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridge.” Presented at the Arch 2019 Conference, Porto, Portugal.

Lai, L., LoCicero, Ashar, K., ” Effects of Stiffness, Creep, and Shrinkage on Reinforced Concrete Arch Bridges.” Presented at 2019 International Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD.

Locicero, B.; Lai, L., Abazi, D., “Refined Load Ratings of Steel Curved Girder Bridges.” Presented at International Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD, June, 2018.

Drager, C., Lai, L. “Rehabilitation of the Passyunk Avenue Bascule Bridge,” presented at International Bridge Conference, National Harbor, MD, June, 2016.

Lai, L. “Fatigue Cracks in Riveted/Bolted Diaphragm to Girder Connection Angles.” Presented at IABMAS 2014 Congress in Shanghai, China.
Chen, C; Lai, L. “Sonar Technology for Underwater Inspections of Bridges.” in “Basic Theory of Bridge Inspection and Instrumentation” (in Chinese), Chinese Society of Civil and Hydraulic Engineers, Taiwan, 2013.

Lai, L. “Thermal Effect on Load Ratings of RC Open-spandrel Arch Bridges.” Presented at 2013 ASCE Structures Congress, Pittsburgh.

Lai, L. “Composite Concrete Encased Steel Beam-column Design in AASHTO Specifications.” International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management (IABMAS) Proceedings, Lake Maggiore, Italy, 2012.

Lai, L., Naito, C., Kim, P., Jen, C. “Inspection and Evaluation of Non-Composite Prestressed Concrete Box Beam Bridges.” International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 2011.

Lai, L.; Chang, W., “Market Street and Chestnut Street Bridge Rehabilitations.” 2010 International Bridge Conference Proceedings, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010.

Lai, L.; Chang, W., “Load Ratings of a Concrete Encased Steel Arch Bridge.” IABMAS 2010 Conference Proceedings, Philadelphia, PA, 2010.

Faqiri, A.; Lai, L.; Shenton, T., “Fatigue Retrofit Improves Chesapeake City Bridge.” Second International Conference on Fatigue and Fracture in the Infrastructure Proceedings, Philadelphia, PA, 2009.

Lai, L. “Shear Cracks Originated from A Corrosion Induced Hole.” Second International Conference on Fatigue and Fracture in the Infrastructure Proceedings, Philadelphia, PA, 2009.

Lai, L.; Kim, P.; Jen, C., “Saving Our Infrastructures.” 2009 ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, Austin, Texas.

Hartle, R.; Balan, T.; F. B. Wingate; Vanderzee, P.; Lai, L., “Remote Health Monitoring and Load Modeling of Cracked Fracture Critical Bridge Components.” FHWA-PA-2006-036-040207-1, TRID, TRB, 2007.

Lai, L., “Fatigue Cracks in Floorbeam-to-Tie Girder Connection Angles in A Tied-Arch Bridge.” the STRUCTURAL FAULTS REPAIR-2006 Conference Proceedings, Edinburgh, UK.

Lai, L., Dragon, M., “Torsional Behavior of Curved Girder Bridges with Single-Column Supported Steel Boxed Cross-Girders.” ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 2003.

Lai, L., “Load Testing On Two Bridge Superstructures.” ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 2003.

Lai, L., Dragon, M., “Innovational Evaluation of A Complex Steel Curved Girder Steel Bridge.” Structural Engineers World Congress Proceedings, Yokohama, Japan, 2002

Lai, L., “Fatigue Testing on A Steel Viaduct.” International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management (IABMAS), Barcelona, Spain, 2002.

Lai, L., “NDT and NDE on An I-95 Viaduct.” NDT Conference Proceedings, FHWA/NJDOT/NYSDOT, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 2000.

Lai, L. “Diagnostic Testing of A Unique Historic Truss Bridge.” ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 1999.

Lai, L., “LRFD Moment Distribution Factors for Mixed Permit and Design Live Loads.” 15th International Bridge Conference Proceedings, Pittsburgh, 1998.

Lai, L., “Weigh-In-Motion and Smart Bridges.” Smart Structures and Materials Conference Proceedings, San Diego, California, 1997.

Lai, L., “On Drilling Holes to Arrest Fatigue Crack Growth.” 15th ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 1997.

Lai, L.; Milkwich, J.; Perkon, G., “Computerized Machinery Design for Bascule Bridges.” 4th ASCE Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering Proceedings, 1997.

Lai, L., “Seismic Vulnerability of Highway Bridges Containing Pin-Hanger Connections.” 4th ASCE Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering Proceedings, 1997.

Lai, L., “Fatigue Cracks at Stringer-to-Floorbeam Connections.” 14th ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 1996.

Lai, L., “Detecting Damages in Highway Bridges from Vehicle Induced Girder Strains.” ASCE Engineering Mechanics Specialty Conference Proceedings, 1996.

Lai, L., “Seismic Analysis of Horizontally Curved Girder Bridges.” 7th Canadian Conference on Earthquake Engineering Proceedings, 1995.

Lai, L., “Rating of an Open-Spandrel Concrete Arch Bridge by Load Testing.” 13th ASCE Structures Congress Proceedings, 1995.

Lai, L., “Measured and Predicted Stress Histories in Bridge Girders Due to Vehicular Loading.” 10th ASCE Engineering Mechanics Specialty Conference Proceedings, 1995.

Lai, L.; Perkon, G., “Seismic Vulnerability of Bascule Bridges.” 11th International Bridge Conference Proceedings, Pittsburgh, 1994.

Lai, L., “Impulse Effect on Redundancy of A Tied-Arch Bridge.” ASCE First Congress on Computing in Civil Engineering Proceedings, 1994.

Lai, L.; Calabria, C., “Strength of Pre-Post Tensioned Concrete Girder Bridges.” ACI Spring Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1994.

Minorino, C. M.; Lai, L., “A Program to Define and Evaluate Fracture Critical Bridge Members.” ASCE 9th Structures Congress Proceedings, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1991.

Yen, B. T.; Huang, T.; Lai, L.; Fisher, J. W.,”Manual for Inspecting Bridges for Fatigue Damage Conditions.” FHWA-PA-89-022 85-02, 1990.

Yen, B. T.; Lai, L., “Evaluation of Bridge Vibration through Field Measurement of Strains.” TRR 1223, Transportation Research Board, 1989.

Huang, T.; Yen, B. T.; Lai, L.; Fisher, J. W. “Fatigue Rating of Highway Bridges.” Proceedings of the 5th International Bridge Conference, 1988.

Daniels, J. H.; Wilson, J.; Yen, B. T.; Lai, L., “Weigh-in-Motion and Response Study of Four In-Service Bridges.” FHWA/RD-86/045, Federal Highway Administration, 1987.

Daniels, J. Hartley; Wilson, John L.; Yen, Ben T.; Lai, L. Y., “WIM RESPONSE STUDY OF FOUR IN-SERVICE BRIDGES.” 3rd Annual International Bridge Conference Proceedings, Pittsburgh, PA., June 1986.

Lai, L-Y., “Lateral Buckling of Monosymmetric Beam-columns,” TamKang University Journal, 1983, Taiwan.


SPECIALTY ENGINEERING, INC. – Consulting and Research Engineers – Now Two Locations!

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SPECIALTY ENGINEERING, INC.

Bristol Office
422 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
Phone: (215) 785-5350

 

Blue Bell Office
1777 Sentry Parkway West,
VEVA 12, Suite 203
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Phone: (215) 785-5350

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