Lehigh University Professor Emeritus Dan M. Frangopol Receives Second ASCE Reese Research Prize for Advanced Bridge Seismic Retrofit Framework

Lehigh University’s Dan M. Frangopol earns the 2026 Reese Research Prize for developing a framework to optimize seismic retrofits for aging bridge columns.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 5:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Lehigh University

A Legacy of Excellence in Structural Resilience

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has once again recognized the contributions of Dan M. Frangopol, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture Emeritus at Lehigh University. By awarding him the 2026 Raymond C. Reese Research Prize, the ASCE honors a career defined by the pursuit of structural longevity and safety. This recognition marks the second time Frangopol has received this specific prize, following a previous honor in 2020. The award highlights the enduring impact of his research on the global engineering community and his commitment to developing a more resilient built environment.

Optimizing Interventions for Deteriorating Infrastructure

The prize-winning research focuses on the complex challenge of managing aging reinforced concrete bridge columns. Over time, these structures naturally deteriorate, making them increasingly vulnerable to seismic activity. Frangopol’s team developed a sophisticated framework that allows engineers to move beyond simple repairs toward "optimum seismic retrofit" strategies. By analyzing the intersection of time-dependent risk and structural health, the model provides a scientific basis for deciding exactly when and how to strengthen a bridge to ensure it can withstand future earthquakes without unnecessary expenditure.

Integrating Real Option and Cost Benefit Analyses

What sets this research apart is its integration of economic evaluation tools typically found in finance, such as real options analysis. This approach allows infrastructure owners to evaluate the value of waiting for more data versus the risk of immediate intervention under conditions of high uncertainty. By combining this with traditional cost-benefit metrics, the framework helps public and private entities reduce seismic risk while managing life-cycle costs. The goal is to maximize the long-term performance of the bridge network, ensuring that limited maintenance budgets are allocated to the projects where they will have the most significant impact on public safety.