Abstract:

• Free F2F Monthly dinner meeting of Georgia Society of Professional Engineers
• 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 13, 2024   at the Piccadilly Cafeteria, Tucker.
• Presentation Topic: Lessons Learned From Unexpected Events Related to Bridges.

• Speaker: Donn Digamon, PE, State Bridge Engineer, GDOT

• Benefiting licensed engineers, aspiring PE, engineering students & others interested in learning about technology.

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers,    Fundamental Canon #1

Atlanta, Georgia (April 26, 2024)  –  A bridge collapse gets peoples’ attention. To say it’s an opportunity for learning is putting it mildly. Ever since bridges were first built (and fell down) the experts have been learning to do better. Common practices in bridge design, construction, and inspection have changed and progressed. These improvements are in part linked to notable events like Silver Bridge collapse (1968), the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse (1940), the Sunshine Skyway Bridge vessel collision event (1980), and the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge collapse (2007). Analyzing these and many other less notable events continues to contribute to the growing body of knowledge. With more knowledge, it is worthwhile to discuss “knowledge management” and workforce development for professional engineers to better promote and protect the public welfare health and safety.

Donn Digamon, PE, State Bridge Engineer, Georgia Department of Transportation.(GDOT), will address the 6:00 PM, Monday, May 13^th monthly dinner meeting of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers at Piccadilly Cafeteria, Northlake, (2000 Crescent Centre Blvd, Tucker, GA 30084 ). His presentation on Lessons Learned From Unexpected Events Related to Bridges will discuss the process of introspection and incorporating knowledge gained from events involving bridge failures into future practices. The general public are also welcome to learn about technology, engineering, and public welfare. There is no charge for the meeting or presentation.

Mr. Donn Digamon is the State Bridge Engineer for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1999 and has a Georgia PE license.  Prior to joining GDOT, Mr. Digamon had 15 years of experience as a consultant bridge designer having done work in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia. He joined GDOT in April 2014 as a Bridge Design Group Leader in the Office of Bridge Design and Maintenance and was promoted to Senior Group Leader four years later. From 2016 to 2021, he also served as  the Office of Environmental Services and Bridge Office Liaison.

The Georgia Department of Transportation plans, designs, constructs, maintains and improves the state’s roads, bridges and interstate highways; and provides planning and financial support for other modes of transportation including rail, transit, general aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian programs. The department is also involved in waterways, including the Savannah and Brunswick ports and intracoastal waterway.