Sriram Narasimhan spoke with ASCE Publications about his tenure as editor and aspirations for the journal. Narasimhan, Ph.D., P.Eng (Ontario), M.ASCE, is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department, at UCLA Samueli School of Engineering.

ASCE Publications: How do you differentiate JBE from other journals?

Sriram Narasimhan: While several journals are home to topics related to bridge engineering, the breadth of topics related to bridges in JBE is the major differentiator. JBE covers all aspects and types of bridges, from aesthetics to mechanics and robotics, all under the roof of a single journal.

ASCE Publications: What are the critical topics you want to see covered in the bridge engineering journal?

Sriram Narasimhan: At the moment, we are seeing a wide range of exciting, emerging issues dealing with new materials, the analysis and design of long-span bridges, technology-focused topics such as inspection robotics, monitoring, and construction. In addition, JBE has several recent special collection topics such as accelerated bridge construction, bridge fatigue, and ultra-high-performance concrete. There are significant ongoing activities in all of these areas worldwide, and I would like to see these continued to be covered in the journal.

ASCE Publications: What are the biggest challenges facing researchers working on bridge engineering today / in the coming years?

Sriram Narasimhan For the last few decades, we have seen bridge engineering make major strides in the design and construction of new bridges. Extending the service life of existing bridges remains a significant challenge facing bridge engineers today as many bridges reach their intended service life. This issue is exacerbated by increased traffic flows, heavier vehicle loads, and the effects of climate change. As a result, many bridges previously deemed safe are now at increased risk due to such impacts. We are still having difficulty inspecting vulnerable areas of bridges such as submerged foundations and protecting against corrosion, especially in regions associated with cold weather such as the Midwest and Northeast. How to extend the service life of existing bridges, especially those nearing or past their intended service life, remains a grand challenge today.

The new infrastructure bill is a massive step in the right direction, aiming to address over 45,000 bridges in poor condition through nearly $40B worth of new investment. This is a historic investment, and I do not doubt that it will impact the bridge engineering community, both researchers and practitioners, positively and significantly.

ASCE Publications: What inspired you to become a Civil Engineer? What drew to be an editor?

Sriram Narasimhan: Right from my university days, I was attracted to structural and mechanical engineering disciplines, especially in areas at the intersection of these two disciplines. I have been passionate about bringing a technology focus to solving challenging problems in the broad area of transportation infrastructure. I was fortunate to be invited to serve on two ASCE journal EBs relatively early in my academic career and have enjoyed my journey ever since. I especially like the opportunity to interact and learn from very distinguished colleagues who serve on EBs and the reviewers who unselfishly dedicate their time and effort to advance the field. The peer-review process is the cornerstone of the academic profession. Serving as the editor is my way of giving back to the profession that has shaped me as an academic.

ASCE Publications: What key features do you look for in an article submitted to your journal?

Sriram Narasimhan: First and foremost, I look for originality and technical advances that can significantly impact the practice and profession of bridge engineering. In addition, I look for the quality of writing, especially the ability of authors to communicate not only their contributions but also their key findings. Poorly written papers are at risk of not being discovered, even if the work itself can be impactful.

ASCE Publications: What aspirations for the future of the journal?
Sriram Narasimhan: I want this journal to continue on this excellent trajectory of growth and international stature that it has right now. Also, I want this journal to be the go-to venue for exciting and cutting-edge research in all aspects of bridge engineering.

ASCE Publications: Any advice for new researchers starting out?

Sriram Narasimhan: Get engaged early in your academic career; serving as a journal reviewer is the best way to get noticed and start networking. Then, if an opportunity presents itself, join an EB and lead special collections on emerging topics. Regarding peer review, my advice would be to accept only those review requests where you are confident you can devote your time to providing a high-quality one. Editors depend on peer reviews for their decision, and hence maintaining the quality of peer review is central to maintaining the quality of the journal.

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