Douglas F. Burke, a materials engineer in the ESC's Waterfront Materials Division, was acknowledged for his outstanding leadership and service as an integral member of NAVFAC's team of life-cycle facilities experts and is widely regarded as the Navy's foremost expert in the field of concrete materials.

Burke initiated and has represented the Navy in the development of a novel methodology to predict the future performance of concrete structures. This innovative technique has garnered national support within the concrete industry.

“This revolutionary technique exemplifies NAVFAC's strategic plan to translate sustainability goals for construction and repair of facilities into quantifiable action throughout the Navy,“ said NAVFAC ESC's Commanding Officer Capt. Gregory J. Zielinski. “More importantly, it will provide the military with an effective tool to accurately predict the service life of new and existing structures, saving millions of taxpayer dollars.“

Burke has led the evaluation of numerous strategically critical facilities, including bridges, piers and dry docks for the Navy. Early use of the innovative methodology aided in the development and validation of the 100-year performance life for the Navy's new floating modular hybrid pier. Application of the methodology will lower life-cycle costs of new construction and allow engineers to optimize the selection of remediation strategies for existing facilities.

In the future, NAVFAC will employ the methodology to meet sustainability goals and validate that new construction complies with the Navy's performance objectives.

Burke is a 1998 recipient of the George W. Goethals Medal, the highest honor presented by the Society of American Military Engineers, for his leadership in developing a new national standard for coated steel reinforcing.

Burke received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Oregon State University and a Master of Arts from California State University, Northridge, in test and evaluation engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer in California and Oregon and has authored numerous technical papers on concrete durability.