ACI Teams Up with the National Concrete Bridge Council to Advance Concrete Bridge Design, Construction, and Preservation

12/1/2025

by Guest Author Trey Hamilton, FACI

It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to address ACI’s membership as the President’s Memo guest author this month. I welcome the opportunity to share exciting news.

I have been part of the Institute for many years, serving in roles such as Chair of the ACI Technical Activities Committee (TAC) and ACI Committee 423, Prestressed Concrete, and a member of the ACI Board of Direction. After retiring from a career in teaching and research at the University of Florida, I have had the opportunity to stay involved as an ACI Staff Engineer.

My research and teaching always centered on concrete bridge design and durability, so volunteering with ACI felt like a natural fit. What began as a way to fulfill my service responsibilities quickly grew into something far more meaningful—a chance to learn, lead, and connect with people who share the same passion for concrete and construction.

Even with ACI’s incredible technical reach, I have often felt that the Institute could build a stronger connection with the concrete bridge community. Many colleagues feel the same, and I am excited to help “bridge” that gap in the years ahead.

In early 2025, the National Concrete Bridge Council (NCBC) welcomed ACI as its newest member. This membership, which NCBC approved, aligns with ACI’s mission to advance concrete knowledge and use. With ACI’s addition, the council gains a globally recognized leader in concrete knowledge, research, and standards development, bringing valuable expertise to the ongoing advancement of concrete bridge technology.

Contributions to Concrete Bridge Technology

ACI maintains more than 120 technical committees addressing every aspect of concrete construction. Four are directly focused on bridges, including ACI Committees 341, Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Bridges; 342, Evaluation of Concrete Bridges and Bridge Elements; 343, Concrete Bridge Design; and 345, Bridge Construction and Preservation. Beyond these, many other committees develop knowledge and standards relevant to bridge design and maintenance. For example, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO’s) bridge design code references ACI CODE-318-19 and ACI Committee 355, Anchorage to Concrete, documents.

The expertise of ACI’s volunteers, many of whom work in bridge design, construction, or research, extends well beyond the formal bridge committees. Through NCBC, these experts will now have a stronger path to engage with the AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures, fostering direct knowledge exchange and addressing gaps in technical guidance.

NCBC and ACI: Collaboration in the Bridge Sector

By combining their complementary missions, ACI and the diverse members of NCBC can achieve meaningful collaborations. ACI’s role as a global leader in advancing concrete knowledge aligns closely with NCBC’s mission to promote concrete bridges as durable, sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Through this collaboration, ACI joins NCBC members in advancing innovation, addressing bridge-specific needs, and ensuring that concrete bridges meet the highest standards of safety, durability, and environmental performance. ACI’s technical expertise, education, and certification programs complement NCBC’s focus on bridge advocacy and industry outreach—together strengthening the skills and awareness of bridge professionals nationwide.

Key benefits of ACI’s NCBC membership include:

• Strategic Alignment: Supports ACI’s goal of building alliances that advance concrete knowledge and strengthen its influence in the bridge community;
• Enhanced Collaboration: Leverages NCBC’s connections with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and AASHTO, providing ACI with a unified platform to share expertise that informs bridge standards and guidance; and
• Mutual Benefits: Expands the visibility of ACI’s resources while helping both organizations advance concrete bridge technology and improve the quality and longevity of public infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

As ACI’s Staff Liaison to NCBC, I welcome feedback on how ACI can strengthen its involvement in the concrete bridge community. Feedback can be sent to trey.hamilton@concrete.org.

By joining NCBC, ACI has formalized its role as a collaborative partner in advancing the state of practice for concrete bridges. Together, ACI and NCBC are uniquely positioned to influence standards, foster innovation, and enhance the durability and performance of bridge infrastructure.

We are especially excited about creating new ways to connect with bridge professionals, particularly those working in state transportation agencies. Historically, it has been difficult for Department of Transportation (DOT) employees to actively participate in ACI activities. This NCBC membership has inspired us to look for better ways to engage transportation professionals in ACI technical committees, knowledge sharing, and professional development programs.

A big thank you to NCBC for welcoming ACI to the council. We are looking forward to the opportunities this partnership will bring for our member organizations and for the entire bridge community.

Ask the President

Do you have a question for the ACI President? Email inquiries can be sent to askthepresident@concrete.org.