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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>In-Situ Monitoring of Concrete Early Age Strength Development Through Acoustic Resonance Technologies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689759</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In this project, a novel acoustic resonance technology for in-situ monitoring of the early age strength development of concrete and cementitious mixes will be investigated. This technology leverages the fundamental principle that the mechanical properties of a material, including stiffness and strength, are intrinsically linked to its acoustic response. By continuously measuring changes in acoustic resonance frequencies as concrete cures and gains strength, this approach offers a direct, real-time, and non-destructive method to assess in-situ strength development without the need for destructive coring or reliance on proxy specimens. Unlike traditional strength evaluation methods, which require extensive laboratory processing, this technique enables on-site deployment, allowing engineers and contractors to make immediate, data-driven decisions regarding construction sequencing, formwork removal, and traffic opening times. The project will focus on optimizing the acoustic resonance technique for field applications by integrating laboratory investigations, field tests, and data analytics. Experimental studies will be conducted to establish correlations between resonance frequency shifts and conventional strength metrics for various cementitious mixes, including rapid-setting and high-performance concrete used in critical infrastructure projects. By offering a practical and real-time alternative to conventional methods, this technology has the potential to improve project scheduling, reduce costs, and ensure safer, more durable concrete structures with minimal disruption to transportation networks. Ultimately, the success of this project will provide a transformative solution that enhances the speed, reliability, and efficiency of strength monitoring and promotes the implementation of in-situ concrete strength monitoring technology by validating the accuracy of the testing data, understanding the influence of external conditions on the performance, and developing implementation details with practical recommendations for future applications in transportation infrastructure projects.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:37:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689759</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comparison of Sample Size and Curing time on Concrete Performance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672004</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this research is to continue department’s initiative to reduce test specimen size and support departments transition to Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) implementation. The funding for this project will allow the department to sample and perform testing on various concrete mixes across the state and gain deeper understanding on how concrete mixes in Wisconsin will perform. Due to an increased use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) in Wisconsin to improve durability of concrete mixes, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Mobile Concrete Technology Center (MCTC) laboratory and Wisconsin Highway Research Program (WHRP) studies indicated that using 28-day test results for acceptance may not be the most accurate representation of concrete performance as some SCMs require additional time to activate and gain strength in the concrete mixture. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) plans to evaluate the impact of extended curing of concrete strength specimens. These strength specimens can also be used to measure surface resistivity at 56 days to compare with surface resistivity values measured using the accelerated cure method per WTM T358. WisDOT would also investigate reducing compressive strength specimen size from 6”x12” to 4”x8”.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:28:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672004</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Water-Cementitious Material Ratio as Acceptance Parameter for Freshly Placed Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671983</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks to the importance of water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) to concrete mixture design and performance, measuring w/cm could potentially be a valuable alternative to using strength testing as an acceptance parameter for concrete. However, few agencies measure or verify w/cm in concrete in-place, despite the fact that water content can vary from the design target value due to factors such as variability in aggregate moisture contents and concrete batching processes, and it is not uncommon for w/cm values reported on batch tickets to differ from the actual w/cm of concrete delivered to a project site (Robertson, et al., 2022). Petrographers can estimate w/cm from hardened concrete cores or samples within a range of values (e.g., +/- 0.05), but there is no generally accepted standard procedure for determining w/cm of hardened concrete (ASTM 2020).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:20:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671983</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Novel concretes made using supplementary cementitious materials and seawater (UM)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663226</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The production and curing of concrete utilizes billions of tons of freshwater every year. This is a major concern, especially in regions with water shortfalls. The research team has previously explored seawater-mixed concretes, and shown promising performance of such concrete, as long as steel reinforcement is not used. The objective of this research project is to show a proof-of-concept of using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and seawater. Specifically: (1) Cement pastes will be designed with 60% PLC, 20% limestone, and 20% fly ash as binder. Freshwater and seawater will be compared. Cement paste hydration will be studied using isothermal calorimetry (7 days), thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (up to 91 days). (2) Cement mortars will be made and the flow measured in fresh state; and strength and bulk resistivity will be measured up to 91 days. (3) Concretes will be made and their slump, air content, and density measured in fresh state, and strength, and bulk resistivity will be measured up to 91 days. (4) In total four mixtures with varying water types will be tested to develop concrete utilizing SCMs and seawater that maintains performance with respect to control concrete mixtures.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:06:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663226</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Constructability of Concrete Materials Infused With Silica-Rich Biochar For Bridge Applications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633322</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Biochar additions to concrete binder have shown great promise for enhancing the early-age performance of material for bridge applications, including its hardening rate and strength development. Biochar is a waste product of the pyrolysis of organic material (wood, rice husks, corn husks, manure, or other agricultural waste products). Depending on the source, biochar is highly porous, with specific surface areas of ~300 m2/g, porosities up to 50 %, and pore sizes down to several nanometers. With high ash content biochar is pozzolanically active. It also may promote self-healing of the material via secondary mineralization involving dissolved alkali earths such as calcium. In cement, milled fast-pyrolysis char has been used at up to 32 % replacement by mass with improved compressive strengths due to its role as an internal curing source and nucleating agent for calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H). The objective is to advance the TRL of biochar-infused concrete materials for implementation in bridge construction and repair. The approach to achieve that objective will be to determine the robustness of the material by investigating a wider range of w/c ratios, biochar dosages, and curing conditions for their effects on several important concrete properties, including the initial and final setting times, compressive strengths at 7 d, 28 d, and 90 d, and the secondary mineral formation extent at 7 d, 28 d, and 90 d.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:36:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633322</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Overlays with Rapid Setting Cement and a Liquid Low P Admixture</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2587118</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has long relied on latex-modified concrete (LMC) overlays with rapid setting cement to extend the service life of bridge decks by providing low permeability and early strength gain. However, advancements in concrete admixture technology offer alternative solutions that may enhance durability, workability, and sustainability. This study proposes replacing the latex modifier in LMC overlays with Liquid Low P admixture. The research will evaluate the feasibility of this substitution by assessing permeability, strength, length change, freeze-thaw durability, and constructability. The project will involve field evaluations to compare the performance of Low P modified concrete to traditional LMC. If successful, this approach could streamline overlay placement, reduce material handling complexities, and provide a cost-effective alternative for VDOT bridge deck rehabilitation projects.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 09 Aug 2025 09:26:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2587118</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Determining NM Harvested Fly Ash Quality for Deployment in Durable Concrete Mix</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582990</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This Agreement details services provided under the Research & Climate Bureau project CN R925030. The main objective is to assess the viability of using disposed fly ash from six federally operated coal ash storage sites in New Mexico as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in concrete. This includes: Characterization via ASTM C618 and C1897; Evaluation of fresh and hardened concrete properties; Micro-modeling of cement hydration with harvested fly ash; Development of mechanistic models; and Validation testing via ASTM C191, C109, C469, and C456.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582990</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Current and New Generation Cementitious and Supplementary Cementitious Materials for SCDOT Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543853</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Portland cement-based concrete is widely used by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) in the construction of a vast array of transportation infrastructure such as pavements, bridges, culverts, retaining walls, etc., as well as in a number of precast concrete elements such as piles, pipes, girders, etc. Existing material specifications for the construction of these structures are based on approved concrete mixture proportions that use Ordinary Portland Cements (OPC) that meet AASHTO M 85 specifications in combination with or without Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume. In recent years, the Portland cement industry has taken an industry-wide action to reduce the carbon footprint of cement by transitioning from production of conventional OPC to Portland Limestone Cement (PLC). PLCs are designed to be a blend of Portland cement clinker with a maximum of up to 15% interground limestone, by mass of the cement (ASTM C595, AASHTO M240). Typically, PLCs have a higher fineness than OPC to match the performance requirements of traditional OPC in all regards. However, PLCs from different manufacturers may contain different levels of limestone content in their composition within the maximum limit of 15% by mass of cement. As a result, the performance of different PLCs may be slightly different from each other and the impact of these cements on the performance of concrete therefore could be different. Further, the interaction of PLCs with a range of chemical admixtures that are typically used in concrete to affect the slump, setting time, air entrainment, shrinkage, and other characteristics of concrete needs to be examined and any changes necessary to account for these differences in the mix design of structural grade concrete should be documented and accounted for. In addition to PLCs, a new generation of low-carbon cements such as calcium sulfoaluminate cements (CSA) and others have emerged, that may find a role in the construction of unique and niche transportation infrastructure elements. Currently, no SCDOT specifications exist to address cements such as CSA and others.
Simultaneously, a range of new supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) has become available in the marketplace (for ex: harvested ashes, ground glass pozzolans, calcined clays (such as metakaolin), natural pozzolans, etc.) as the availability of traditional SCMs such as fly ashes and slag has become uncertain. Also, new test methods to assess reactivity of SCMs, such as isothermal calorimetry based R3 test (ASTM C 1897-20), that are superior to traditional methods such as Strength Activity Index have become available, and these methods need to be adopted in the SCDOT standard specifications. The reactivity of the new generation of SCMs with the PLCs is not thoroughly established and needs to be investigated.
In light of the aforementioned gaps in the knowledge and given that new materials and new methods have evolved since the last revision of the Standard Specifications, it is essential to investigate whether the existing concrete mix design methods and the structural grades of concrete approved in the 2007 Standard Specifications for Highway Construction per Table 701.2.12.2 can be achieved with the new generation of cementitious materials. In addition, it is important to examine whether any changes need to be made to the current concrete mix design procedures to realize any benefits from the new generation of cementitious materials, without compromising the quality of concrete for intended application.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:11:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543853</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Performance and Use of Non-Vinsol Resin Air Entraining Concrete Admixtures in South Dakota</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2533745</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Current specifications only allow Vinsol Resin-based Air Entraining Admixtures (AEA) in concrete mixes used on South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) projects, and the use of synthetic AEAs is not allowed. This restriction reduces the number of AEA products available for use on SDDOT projects, which could potentially delay projects if supply issues develop related to the production of Vinsol Resin-based AEAs.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) previously completed research project SD98-03 which determined that synthetic AEA products were the source of the concrete strength issues experienced by the Department at that time. As a result of this research, SDDOT discontinued the use of synthetic AEAs and removed all synthetic AEAs from the Department’s approved products list, thus effectively prohibiting them from use on SDDOT projects.
In the last 20+ years, the technology of synthetic AEAs has improved and AASHTO has developed a recommendation for evaluating AEAs (NCHRP Report 578).  Research demonstrating the acceptable performance of synthetic AEAs would expand the supply of products allowable for use on SDDOT projects. This research would give SDDOT guidance on which synthetic AEAs produce acceptable results and could be added to the department’s approved products list and provide changes to the current specifications to include non-Vinsol resin AEAs. 
On April 15, 2023, the sole manufacturing facility for Vinsol Resin experienced an industrial fire which put the facility out of production. In June 2023, the owner of the facility, Pinova Inc., announced plans to decommission the facility and permanently end operations. As a result of this fire and subsequent closure, it is expected that Vinsol Resin-based AEAs will become increasingly difficult to acquire until all existing Vinsol Resin-based AEAs currently in the market have been exhausted. Ultimately, having additional AEA products available for use by SDDOT will be necessary to ensure that the AEA products used on SDDOT projects are compatible with the other materials used in SDDOT concretes.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:53:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2533745</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NEXTGEN Concrete - Tests of the Future: Shrinkage Phase II</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2529970</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This is the restart of BED96. This research project is to determine the factors that influence the cracking potential of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concrete mixes using the most advantageous test apparatus while considering the AASHTO 334 with concrete that utilized #57 stone as coarse aggregate. The newly created test method will have defined dimensions and specifications to create a Florida Method of Test, which will be used to approve FDOT mixture designs compared to a baseline mix.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:26:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2529970</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Beam End Repair for Prestressed Concrete Beams – Phase II</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509056</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The ultimate goal of the proposed research project is to provide cost-effective/high-performance cementitious materials to repair the deteriorated ends of precast prestressed concrete beams (PPCB). Based on the outcome of the small- and large-scale investigations performed as part of the Phase I of this project, ultra-high performance and high-early strength concrete mixtures were developed and tested to repair the beam ends in the laboratory setting. In the proposed Phase II of this project, the developed patching materials will be applied to a bridge structure identified by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Bridges and Structures Bureau. This candidate bridge, which is located in Fort Dodge, has a large number of beams in many differing states of deterioration. Thus, it would be an appropriate bridge to apply and evaluate the performance of the identified patching materials in a real field setting. The scope of work for the proposed project involves both short- and long-term investigations. The short-term investigations will primarily cover the practical aspects and considerations that must be figured out to successfully apply the patches in the field. On the other hand, the long-term investigations will closely monitor the integrity and overall condition state of the repaired beam ends over time. For this purpose, a dense array of instrumentation will be utilized, while regular inspections will be conducted in parallel. The outcome is expected to identify the patching materials, procedures, and practices that have the highest promise of success to address the long-standing issue of deterioration of beam ends.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:12:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509056</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>"Cradle to Cradle" Approach to Shoreline Stabilization and Erosion Control combining Native Dredge Materials with Advanced Manufacturing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508955</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of this research effort include: (1) review of the literature surrounding the production of mortar and concrete elements for shoreline stabilization and erosion control, as well as use of local materials (2) development of mortar and/or concrete mixes and element shapes which rely on beneficial use of dredged material and other locally available materials, (3) review of manufacturing processes appropriate for the limited space available at dredged material containment areas (DMCA), (4) refinement of design based upon materials circularity principles, and (5) making recommendations for cost-effective strategies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:43:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508955</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Feasibility Study of Local Waste Plastic Materials in Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507252</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The cement and concrete industries have been under tremendous pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, which forces them to explore alternative ways to reduce the carbon footprint in the transportation industry. Solid waste is one of the many factors that negatively affect the environment. Problems stem from factors such as difficulty of waste recycling and limited reuse. Plastic is an important type of solid waste with a strong environmental impact. This study aims to investigate the effects of utilizing recycled plastic (RP) in concrete. The investigation will aim to look at plastic waste: i) As a partial substitute for coarse and/or fine aggregates in concrete, and ii) As fiber reinforcement (plastic strands) in concrete for crack control.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:17:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507252</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Performance Evaluation of the First UHPC Bridge Project in Nebraska</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507243</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The state of Nebraska has embarked on an ambitious program to design a series of bridges using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). The Belvidere North Bridge is the first one scheduled for construction in 2025 in Belvidere, NE (Southeast of Lincoln, NE). This is also the first bridge in North America with UHPC superstructure that was award in a compatitive bid and the first bridge with non-proprietary UHPC mix that was developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) to create a cost effective UHPC mix using local materials. The non-proprietary mix costs a fraction of pre-bagged proprietary mixes while having workability properties, mechanical properties, and durability properties that are comparable to those of the commercial proprietary mixes. Using this mix along with a highly optimized decked I beam cross section achieves a cost competitive UHPC superstructure system that also features rapid construction and highly durable deck.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:26:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507243</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Observation, Documentation, and Performance Evaluation of Bridge Deck using Multi-Crystalline Intermixed Concrete Enhancer and Surface Sealer</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506091</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Water intrusion on bridge decks leads to degradation of the concrete and reinforcement at an accelerated rate when compared to other concrete bridge components. As an example, freeze/thaw effects can result in delamination or spalling, and chloride ion penetration can result in the material degradation of the concrete and steel reinforcement. Eliminating or reducing water intrusion into the bridge deck concrete has the potential to greatly increase the service life of the bridge deck and, subsequently, the overall bridge.

An admixture product and surface sealer are proposed for use on a bridge construction project in Appanoose County, Iowa. The bridge superstructure will consist of concrete prestressed, precast girders topped by a concrete, steel-reinforced deck. The project presents an opportunity to observe and document the construction and performance of the deck with the inclusion of the moisture prevention products.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 10:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506091</guid>
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