Antonio Reyna
UTRGV Civil Engineering student Antonio Reyna had the opportunity to complete his UTCRS REU experience at Texas A&M University. Mr. Reyna showed a deep interest in structural design and analysis. For this reason, his summer research study focused on the effects of a live load passing through a truss structure. Truss bridges are most commonly found, because they are aesthetically pleasing, while being structurally rigid and sound. Due to their abundant use in transportation they are routinely maintained in order to avoid any bridge failures that may cause a catastrophe. Mr. Reyna built a scaled Baltimore truss bridge, and utilized a model train to simulate moving live loads on a truss bridge that is fully intact, partially intact, and having the truss’ webbing dismantled. He collected deflection and acceleration data utilizing string potentiometer sensors and accelerometers. Mr. Reyna then used the data collected to determine the structural integrity of the structures built.