California alone has over 25,000 bridges and buildings that predate modern seismic codes. Replacing them all isn’t feasible – but innovative retrofit techniques are making it possible to extend their service life by 50-75 years.
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) wrapping has emerged as a game-changer. Unlike traditional steel jacketing, CFRP is lighter, faster to install, and doesn’t add significant mass to the structure – a critical advantage in seismic design.
On our Highway 101 Bridge project, we combined CFRP pier wrapping with new base isolation bearings. The result was a full seismic upgrade without replacing a single pier, saving the client $15M compared to conventional approaches.
As infrastructure ages nationwide, the demand for creative retrofit solutions will only grow. Engineers who can think beyond demolition and replacement will define the next era of infrastructure resilience.