Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Advancements

Learn how modern bridge projects are being built faster and made safer for seismic conditions. This session introduces the basics of Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) and explains why using prefabricated components in earthquake prone areas has historically been challenging. We’ll explore new connection designs, improved seismic strategies, and real project examples from New Zealand and the United States that show how research is now becoming practice.

About Mustafa Mashal
Dr. Mustafa Mashal, MS '11, is a Full Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Idaho State University and a leading expert in structural and earthquake engineering. He directs both the ISU Structural Laboratory, Idaho’s largest structural testing facility, and the ISU Disaster Response Complex, a first of its kind resilience and training center in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Mashal also serves as Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation Partnerships at ISU and holds a joint appointment with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory.

A proud University at Buffalo alumnus, Dr. Mashal earned his M.S. in Civil Engineering at UB after completing his B.S. in Civil Engineering at Kabul University. He later earned his Ph.D. in structural and earthquake engineering from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. His work spans precast and low damage seismic systems, advanced materials, large scale testing, and infrastructure resilience. With nearly 200 publications, multiple national awards, including the ASCE Alfred Noble Prize, Fulbright grants, AASHTO High Value Research Award and other recognitions, he is widely regarded as a leader in advancing seismic resilient bridge and infrastructure design.