#55: Testing the Future of our Nation’s Infrastructure

About this episode

The episode discusses a new ERDC model that will transform the design, construction, and testing of navigation infrastructure in the U.S.

Once completed, a new ERDC model will fundamentally change the way navigation infrastructure components in our nation are designed, built and tested. The Hydraulic Structures Experiment and Validation Model, currently set to go into operation in 2028, will be a one-of-a-kind testbed, advancing and accelerating the revitalization of our nation’s waterways. On this episode, Dr. Charlie Burchfield and Bowen Woodson, both with ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, talk about the difference this model will make as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) seeks to modernize its aging infrastructure portfolio. Topics discussed include an overview of the model, its size and planned capabilities (1:22); the necessity driving the model’s development (2:54); and the enthusiasm within the USACE navigation community regarding its potential impact on future projects (4:23). We also discuss how the model helps reduce risk in fielding new infrastructure components (7:35) and the real-world characteristics it can emulate during testing (12:01). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/55-Testing-Future-Infrastructure_video .

People in this episode

Guests: Dr. Charlie Burchfield, Bowen Woodson

Topics covered

• infrastructure
• navigation
• testing
• engineering
• waterways
• risk reduction

Keywords

• Hydraulic Structures Experiment
• validation model
• infrastructure modernization
• USACE
• testbed
• waterways revitalization
• risk reduction
• field testing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory

More episodes of Power of ERDC

• #62: Advanced Materials: Novel polymer research unlocks unique properties · June 10, 2026 · 38 min
• #61: ERDC collaboration with industry is accelerating operational energy capabilities · June 2, 2026 · 34 min
• #60: Building Airfields at the Speed of Mission · May 26, 2026 · 27 min
• #59: Expedition ARCHIE: Water resilience for Arctic installations · May 19, 2026 · 29 min
• #58: Building Energy Resilience in the Arctic & Elsewhere · May 12, 2026 · 21 min
• #57: Transforming the Built Environment: ERDC team guides DOW, USCAE on cutting-edge techniques for building, maintaining facilities · May 5, 2026 · 37 min