Fugro supports earthquake-resilient bridge design in US Pacific Northwest

The new bridge, recently bolstered by additional federal funding, is being designed to withstand high to severe seismic ground motions. This upgrade is critical given Portland’s proximity to the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a powerful offshore fault line capable of triggering devastating earthquakes.

To support the bridge design, Fugro partnered with Malcolm Drilling Company, Inc., to perform load testing on a 3-meter-diameter, 40-meter-deep drilled shaft. The testing simulated earthquake forces using Fugro’s proprietary O-Cell® technology, which is capable of mobilising a maximum total bi-directional load of 83,000 tons (739 meganewtons) to measure both side friction and end bearing resistance. Fugro’s SONICaliper® inspection tool was also used on the project to assess the shaft’s shape and alignment, ensuring it met design specifications and could effectively transfer structural loads to the ground.

“High-quality Geo-data is the foundation of resilient infrastructure,” said Joyshwin Sumputh, Loadtest Manager at Fugro. “By combining advanced testing technologies with close collaboration across project teams, we’ve turned complex geotechnical challenges into actionable insights that will help ensure the Burnside Bridge stands strong when it matters most.”

Construction of the new Burnside Bridge is expected to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2031. The project adds to Fugro’s global portfolio of infrastructure developments supported by advanced site characterisation and foundation engineering.