Francis Scott Key Bridge Replacement Peer Review
Structural Health Monitoring
Innovative Structural and Specialty Engineering (ISSE) is serving as the Peer Reviewer for the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) program associated with the new Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, a nationally significant cable-stayed bridge program. In this role, ISSE evaluates the proposals and technical submittals prepared by the engineer retained by the Design-Build contractor, providing the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) with an additional structural engineering perspective. Our review examines the proposed instrumentation strategy, data acquisition architecture, event detection framework, and data governance protocols to assess completeness, technical rigor, constructability, durability, and alignment with the Owner’s objectives for safety, performance tracking, incident response, load rating support, and long-term asset management.
ISSE participates in peer review at various design stages, issuing structured comment matrices and technical observations intended to clarify assumptions, identify potential gaps, and strengthen the overall SHM strategy. Focus areas include sensor placement and redundancy, strain and accelerometer deployment, GNSS displacement monitoring, acoustic emission wire-break detection, corrosion and environmental instrumentation, DAQ system resilience, and the practicality of alert thresholds for extreme events such as ship collision, seismic activity, wind, and fire.
JFK New Terminal One – Structural Peer Review
Structural Systems Validation for a $9.5 Billion, 2.6 Million Square Foot International Gateway
ISSE was retained by AECOM Tishman to provide an independent structural peer review of the New Terminal One project at JFK, evaluating the work of a large, multidisciplinary structural engineering team at Thornton Tomasetti, including the original Basis of Design prepared by Walter P Moore. Within the framework of a fast-track, multi-billion-dollar aviation program, our role was to deliver rigorous third-party oversight across a highly complex and evolving structural design. We assessed the primary gravity and lateral systems, foundation strategies, loading assumptions, and analytical methodologies to confirm alignment with governing codes, technical standards, and project performance objectives. As part of this effort, we also reviewed wind tunnel testing results and their translation into structural design criteria, helping ensure that wind demands, drift considerations, and cladding pressures were appropriately interpreted and incorporated into the global and local analyses.
Beyond document review, ISSE independently developed simplified analytical models to study critical components of the structure, including the complex tree-column system supporting the long-span roof and the light roof structure carrying an extensive array of solar panels. These focused models provided an additional layer of verification of load paths, member demands, and system behavior under gravity and lateral effects. We also performed an independent Key Element Analysis to evaluate structural robustness and continuity under prescribed local loading scenarios. Throughout the peer review process, ISSE led and conducted coordination meetings and issued nearly 300 formal action items, facilitating technical dialogue, clarifying assumptions, and strengthening the overall design. This structured, iterative engagement not only enhanced compliance and resilience, but also provided AECOM Tishman and project stakeholders with a high level of confidence in the safety, durability, and long-term performance of this landmark infrastructure investment.