Robert J. Connor, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the S-BRITE Center, has been selected to receive the 2017 George S. Richardson Medal. The Richardson Medal recognizes a single, recent outstanding achievement in bridge engineering.

Dr. Connor was selected from among a list of nominees from around the world including distinguished researchers, engineers, and outstanding projects. This is the first time the Richardson Medal has been awarded to a single individual as a result of an outstanding research contribution. While the Richardson Medal is awarded annually, most often for outstanding bridge construction projects, Dr. Connor is one of eight others who have received the award for an individual achievement since its inception 30 years ago.

This award was given in recognition of Dr. Connor’s work in the development of rational criteria to evaluate the internal redundancy of mechanically fastened built-up steel members. The results of the work, which are planned to be incorporated into the AASHTO specifications for bridge design and evaluation, have the potential to drastically change how members traditionally classified as fracture critical members (FCMs) are viewed. The work will have potentially sweeping impacts in the area of bridge engineering, bridge inspection, and the reliability associated with this type of steel bridge.