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    <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>
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      <title>Develop Enhanced Cold Recycling Methods and Specifications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255990</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Texas continues to use cold recycling for pavement rehabilitation and performs a significant amount of full depth reclamation (FDR). While cement remains the most widely used treatment, use of asphalt emulsion and foamed asphalt continues to grow. This project will identify and evaluate topics to strategically enhance cold recycling practices in Texas. This project will perform a comprehensive performance analysis of recent as-built projects to identify strengths and opportunities for process enhancement. For cement, this project will evaluate how cement type may influence mixture properties, analyze the Texas Flexible Pavement System (FPS) structural design assumptions based on current mix design and construction practices, and summarize methods to improve early trafficking. For emulsified and foamed asphalt, this project will develop cold-in-place recycling (CIR) applications for Texas and identify, evaluate, and recommend enhanced pavement design procedures for cold recycling with asphalt binders. This project will use all results to develop enhanced cold recycling project selection procedures, recommend updates to Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT’s) specifications, and develop and perform training.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:21:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255990</guid>
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      <title>Development of a 4.75mm (No. 4) NAMS Mixture</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1471560</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to develop mix designs criteria for 4.75mm Nomial Maximum Aggregate Size (NMAS) mixtures in high and low traffic volume roads.  Criteria targeted in the research will be gradation controls, volumetric property requirements (air voids, VMA, VFA, and dust-to-binder ratio) and mechanical tests.  The mechanical tests include the Loaded Wheel Track (LWT) test, Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) test, Dynamic Modulus, and friction testing.  Local aggregates and asphalt cements will be evaluated to determine the most economical mix.  The primary aggregate types that will be examined are gravel and limestone because of their prevalence in Louisiana.  Asphalt binder grades tested will follow Louisiana Standard Specifications which include, PG 64-22, PG 76-22, and PG 82-22crm.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:59:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1471560</guid>
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      <title>Development of a Self-healing and Rejuvenating Mechanisms for Asphalt Mixtures Containing Recycled Asphalt Shingles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1467123</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to test the hypothesis that hollow-fibers containing a rejuvenator product can improve both self-healing, rejuvenation and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. The hollow-fibers containing a rejuvenator product will be synthesized with a sodium-alginate polymer as the encapsulating material. The encapsulated rejuvenator product will be a commercially-available synthetic oil.  An optimization procedure will be performed by varying parameters such as the percentage of emulsifier, percentage of plasticizer, and ratio rejuvenator to polymer used. The thermal stability and tensile strength of the developed fibers will be tested to determine their resistance to asphalt production processes. The optimum fiber percentage will be assessed based on the performance of asphalt blends with different percentages of fibers on a Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR) test and based on the performance of asphalt mixtures with different percentages of fibers on a fatigue cracking resistance test. Performance Grading (PG) will be performed on different asphalt blends containing the optimum amount of fibers and/or recycled materials to evaluate the effects of the fibers on the rheological properties of the binder. Similarly, asphalt mixtures containing the optimum amount of fibers and/or recycled materials will be evaluated against low-temperature cracking and rutting susceptibility in a controlled laboratory environment. The healing efficiency of asphalt mixtures containing fibers in two environmental conditions will be quantified by measuring the crack width before healing (day 0) and at different healing periods. Finally, a relationship between undamaged, damaged, and healed stiffness will be evaluated to determine the stiffness recovery at the end of the healing period.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 May 2017 13:37:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1467123</guid>
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      <title>Enhancing the Durability and the Service Life of Asphalt Pavements through Innovative Light-Induced Self-Healing Materials</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466860</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a new generation of light-induced polymers in enhancing elasticity and improving the self-healing properties of the asphalt mixture. Light-induced self-healing polymer is an evolving technology that would delay crack propagation in the early stages of crack appearance, resist cracking damage, and therefore, extend the service life of a pavement. A network of self-healing agents will be synthesized through a photocatalytic based chemical method. An optimization procedure will be conducted by varying parameters such as intensity and duration of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, the intensity of sonication, and oxetane-chitosan (OXECHI) ratio. Developed self-healing polymers will be characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The thermal stability of the prepared polymers will be tested in a controlled laboratory environment to determine their resistance to asphalt production processes. The optimum percentage of self-healing polymers will be evaluated based on the performance of asphalt blends with different percentages of self-healing polymers by weight of binder, using asphalt binder rheological tests and asphalt mixture tests. Detailed steps on how to produce and utilize the proposed technology will be provided to the state agencies to enhance implementation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 May 2017 11:19:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466860</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of a Standard Test Method for Characterization of Asphalt Modifiers and Aging-Related Degradation Using an Extensional Rheometer</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466859</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study has been initiated to (a) Characterize modified asphalt binders in relation to their aging-related degradation; (b) develop a new standard and specification to supplement the knowledge gap in the performance grade (PG) system for modified asphalt binders. In the proposed study, an extensional rheometer fixture will be used in a DSR platform to perform a suite of tests. Elongation tests and fracture tests will be performed using the extensional rheometer varying sample geometry, temperature, and strain rate. To replace ductility test (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials [AASHTO] T51), final strain in elongation test will be analyzed along with other parameters. Second force peak of force ductility test (AASHTO T300) will be compared to second force peak in elongation test. A novel and direct low temperature cracking susceptibility test will be developed by analyzing fracture strength and fracture energy parameters in fracture test using extensional rheometer. Extensional stress relaxation modulus and strain hardening will be investigated to determine the influence of polymer microstructures such as linear and radial styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). The proposed study will also investigate and quantify (a) the degradation of modifiers with aging, and (b) how polymers/modifiers influence aging susceptibility. A standard test method and corresponding specifications will be developed for immediate implementation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 May 2017 10:33:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466859</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Factors that Contribute to Asphalt Absorption: Asphalt Cements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227855</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to quantify the effects of asphalt cement viscosity and the crude oil source of the asphalt cement on asphalt absorption.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:08:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227855</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Rubberized Asphalt Cement Evaluation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227852</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to evaluate a new rubber asphalt cement in terms of asphalt cement material specifications and performance in hot-mix.  This product can be used as a binder for sealing and in hot-mix.  The fatigue resistance can be 5 to 10 times better than a normal hard AC as well as it is likely to have a good rutting resistance.  Increased performance would allow thinner lifts be laid with good performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:08:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227852</guid>
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