Six researchers from the Natural Hazards Mitigation Institute at the University of Missouri-Rolla will share recent research findings related to protecting bridges from earthquake damage during an upcoming Geotechnical and Bridge Seismic Design workshop, set for Oct. 28-29 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The presenters will discuss a new approach to designing bridge systems along the New Madrid fault line, which covers most of Missouri, northern Arkansas, eastern Tennessee, and parts of Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Mississippi. The UMR study was supported by a $1.2 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Alaska Department of Transportation and the University Transportation Center, located on the UMR campus.

"In the past, bridge design codes were based on studies and observations in California, and were seldom validated for this area," says Dr. Genda Chen, associate professor of civil engineering at UMR. "We will present current and developing ground-motion and retrofitting techniques that could be very useful in the New Madrid seismic zone." Chen and Dr. Neil Anderson, professor of geological sciences and engineering at UMR, are workshop co-directors.

Thirty representatives from seven Midwest department of transportation agencies have enrolled for the workshop and Chen expects close to 60 people will attend. The $250 course fee covers the cost of review materials and some meals. For more information or to register for the program, call (573) 341-4278.