Innovative bridge engineering program designed to meet industry demand

Purdue is taking the next giant leap forward as it aims to set a new national model in structural engineering education.

In response to increasing industry demands, the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering is introducing new courses, seminars and — in the future — a concentration to address the United States’ bridge infrastructure workforce gap. As a unique and first program of its kind, the Bridge Engineering Education Program will serve as a national model to fill a growing need in the transportation industry.

“Launching a bridge-focused concentration is a natural next step for applying LSCCE’s historic strengths to industry’s needs,” said Robert J. Connor, the Jack and Kay Hockema Professor in Civil Engineering. “This is a first-of-itskind concentration that answers a real need voiced by professionals to see engineering graduates with a greater understanding of bridge design, preservation, inspection and construction.”

In support of this new engineering concentration, the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) provided LSCCE with a $1 million grant to aid in its launch.

“AISC is incredibly proud to support Purdue’s new comprehensive Bridge Engineering undergraduate and graduate curricula, which is one of the first ever bridge-focused college programs in the country,” said Brandon Chavel, AISC vice president of bridges. “Armed with a Purdue education focused on bridge design, fabrication, construction and inspection, graduates can hit the ground running when they enter the workforce, helping to address infrastructure needs in both the public and private sectors.”

The first steps toward the new concentration began in August 2025 with the introduction of two new courses: Loading and Analysis for Steel Bridge Design and Evaluation and Advanced Design of Steel Bridge Flexural Members.

“We are still in the beginning stages, but the response from both students and our industry partners has been encouraging,” said Francisco J. Bonachera Martin, course lecturer and visiting professor. “As we continue to expand the program and grow it into a full concentration, our graduates will have a knowledge base and expertise that truly sets them apart from other graduates throughout the U.S.”

Undergraduate student Caden Fortino is currently enrolled in the Loading and Analysis for Steel Bridge Design and Evaluation course and says it has quickly become one of his most impactful classes.

“I am very much interested in bridge design, so when I heard about this course offering, I knew this would be a perfect class for me,” Fortino said. “To have a class this early on that focusses on bridges specifically has been an amazing learning opportunity.”

Additionally, two steel bridge-focused courses became available for the 2026 spring semester: Design and Evaluation of Steel Highway Bridges and Advanced Design of Steel Bridge Axial Members and Gusset Plate Connections. A seminar series with leading experts in steel bridge design, fabrication and inspection will also commence this spring.