Eugene Figg Explained

Eugene C. Figg (August 4, 1936 – March 20, 2002) was an American structural engineer who made numerous contributions to the field of structural engineering, especially in the design of the cable-stayed bridge and the use of the segmental concrete construction method.^{[1] [2]}

Life

Figg was born August 4, 1936, in Charleston, South Carolina. He received a civil engineering degree as a structural engineer from The Citadel in Charleston in 1958.^{[3] [4]}

During his career, he brought the use of the segmental method for spanning large gaps to the United States with the assistance of his Paris-based partner, Jean M. Muller.^[5] His affiliation with Muller, begun at Figg and Muller Engineers (founded in 1978),^{[6] [7]} allowed him to gain valuable insight into the application of pre-cast segmental bridge construction methods to the domestic market. When they coupled this construction method with cable-stayed supports, Mueller and Figg effectively increased the use of concrete in longer span bridge proposals.^[8]

He formed his own engineering firm, the Figg Engineering Group, still operating and based in Tallahassee.^[4] Figg also founded the American Segmental Bridge Institute in 1989, and served four years as a trustee at the National Building Museum.^[9]

Awards

In 2000, Figg was honored with the John A. Roebling Medal for his outstanding lifetime achievement in bridge engineering.^[10]

Famous bridges

• Sunshine Skyway Bridge
• Linn Cove Viaduct
• Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

See also

• List of civil engineers

Bibliography

• ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers. (2002) “2002 OPAL Recipients – Eugene C. Figg, Jr.” (March 20, 2007)
• Auburn Alumni Association. (2007) “ALUM Spotlight Linda Figg ’81” Auburn University Alumni Spotlight (March 20, 2007)
• Brassfield, Mike. (2002) “’Visionary’ engineer’s legacy spans bay area” St. Petersburg Times (St. Petersburg, Florida). (March 20, 2007)
• Bridge Design & Engineering. (2002) “New Bridge Award Created in Honour of Eugene Figg” (March 20, 2007)
• Burgess, M. (2005). “Precast, Prestressed Bridges.” Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute, (March 22, 2007).
• Ensley, Gerald. (2002) “Bridge designer Eugene Figg dies at 65.” Tallahassee Democrat (Tallahassee, Florida). (March 20, 2007)
• Marsh, Don. (2002) "Gene Figg: A master of market development." Concrete Products 105.5: 8. OmniFile Full Text Mega. H. W. Wilson. Karmann Library – University of Wisconsin Platteville, Platteville, WI. (February 10, 2007)
• Pittman, C. (2001). Bridge inspectors unscathed. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from St. Petersburg Times:
• Vogel, Mike. (2006) “Making a Connection.” Florida Trend
• Wilson, Bill. (2000) "A brush with greatness." Roads & Bridges 38.8: 28.
• Zeyher, Allen. (2002) “SPANNING THE NEWS.” Roads & Bridges 40.4: 8.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bridge Designer Gene Figg Dies.
2. Web site: CAA Admin Tool.
3. http://www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/D-GreatAchievements-Figg-Weingardt-Oct081.pdf
4. Web site: FIGG Bridge Group has built spans all over the country Miami Herald. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180318031333/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article205663709.html. 2018-03-18. Miami Herald.
5. Web site: Company that designed the failed FIU bridge also designed Skyway, part of Selmon. 15 March 2018.
6. Book: Holger Svensson. Cable-Stayed Bridges: 40 Years of Experience Worldwide. 6 August 2013. Wiley. 978-3-433-60229-4. 99–.
7. Book: Geo. 1983. Gruner & Jahr USA.
8. Book: Randy Johnson. Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon. 15 March 2016. University of North Carolina Press. 978-1-4696-2700-7. 240–.
9. Book: 31 May 2022. Figg Memorial Tribute. 10.17226/23394 . 978-0-309-43729-5 .
10. Web site: IBC honours award winners for 2000 - Bridge Design & Engineering (Bd & e). 12 June 2000.