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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Enhanced Durability, Crack Resistance, and Cost-Effectiveness of Concrete in Infrastructure Applications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2598425</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project aims to develop durable, crack-resistant, and cost-effective concrete for U.S. infrastructure by incorporating nanomaterials derived from sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, and bamboo, combined with Agricultural Residue Char (ARC) for internal curing. Traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) often require high replacement percentages to achieve significant improvements, increasing the cost and complexity of mix designs. In contrast, nanomaterials, even at small dosages (1-2% by weight), have demonstrated remarkable potential to enhance both the early-age and long-term performance of concrete. ARC will serve as an internal curing agent, specifically targeting improvements at later ages by reducing shrinkage and enhancing long-term crack resistance. Nanomaterials extracted from sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, and bamboo will be evaluated for their impact on early-age strength and durability. The objectives of the proposed study are to: (1) Develop cost-effective synthesis techniques for nanomaterials from sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, and bamboo; (2)  Investigate the impact of nanomaterials on early-age compressive strength and hydration; (3) Utilize ARC for internal curing to reduce shrinkage and improve long-term performance, (4) Perform ASTM C1609 (notched beam test) for crack resistance and ASTM C157 (shrinkage test) for mix designs undergoing flexural testing, and (5) Analyze the cost and performance of developed mixes compared to conventional concrete.
The project will employ a comprehensive research approach, including detailed material characterization, mix design optimization, mechanical and durability testing. Material characterization will involve advanced techniques, namely Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and X-Ray Diffraction, to analyze the structural properties of the nano materials. The concrete mixes will undergo standard workability, compressive strength, crack resistance, shrinkage and surface resistivity testing to ensure optimal mechanical and durability properties. The tasks for this study involve the following: Task 1: Literature Review and Material Acquisition; Task 2: Synthesis and Characterization of Nanomaterials; Task 3: Mix Design and Optimization; Task 4: Mechanical and Durability Testing; Task 5: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis; and Task 6: Reporting and Dissemination.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:03:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2598425</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Development and Characterization of UHPC Including Carbon Fibers and Internal Curing for Bridge Deck Overlays</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509298</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is an advanced concrete material with outstanding mechanical properties and considerable potential for extending the life of bridges. While traditionally based on Portland cement and reinforced with steel fibers, UHPC formulations reinforced with Carbon Fibers (CFs) of different scales have been recently investigated. Pilot experiments show promising results. Common dispersion techniques allow for CF contents under 1% by weight of cementitious content to avoid dispersion-related issues, such as clumping and balling, which affect the homogeneity of the matrix and deteriorate mechanical performance. These techniques are inefficient to fully explore the potential of CF in UHPC and additional research is needed to examine the effect of high concentrations of CF reinforcement on these matrices in pursuit of tensile properties equal to or above what is obtained with steel fiber reinforcement. Additionally, rapid setting and low shrinkage calcium sulfoaluminate cement and internal curing have significant potential for improving the speed of strength gain and improving overall performance of UHPC bridge deck overlays while reducing the unit weight of the material. 
This study will investigate UHPC formulations reinforced with high concentrations of CF at multiple scales using a dispersion technique that allows fiber contents of up to 4% by weight. Additionally, UHPC formulations using rapid setting cementitious materials and curing methods to achieve faster strength gain, reduced shrinkage, light weight, and improved durability will be investigated. This research entails the investigation of multi-scale carbon fiber reinforcement of UHPC mix designs aiming to achieve flexural strengths and strain hardening behavior similar or superior to the levels typically obtained with steel fibers. It will also examine the impact of calcium sulfoaluminate cement and internal curing on the same behaviors and compare performance of the best mix designs when used as a structural overlay. Small-scale four-point bending tests will be conducted to measure the flexural strength and ultimate strain of UHPC specimens and overlay specimens will be tested in flexure with the UHPC portion on the flexural tension side. The following tasks will be pursued in this multi-institutional study. Task 1: Evaluation of carbon fibers (lead: TAMU); Task 2: Evaluation of rapid setting calcium sulfoaluminate cement and internal curing (lead: OU); Task 3: SEM evaluation of microstructure (lead: TAMU); Task 4: Construction of overlay specimens (lead: OU and TAMU); Task 5: Bridge deck overlay specimen testing (lead: OU), and Task 6: Final report and dissemination of results (lead: TAMU and OU).
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:05:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509298</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Superabsorbent Polymers In Concrete to Improve Durability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508876</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Internal curing is the practice of providing small, well-distributed reservoirs of water throughout a concrete section such that the w/cm of the mixture can be kept low, but the water can later be delivered to hydrating cement as the system dries out. Internal curing has been reported to be effective in reducing shrinkage cracking, improving potential durability of concrete mixtures, and most notably, reducing warping and associated cracking in pavements and slabs on grade. Currently, the use of light-weight fine aggregate (LWFA) is the most common practice in the United States to produce internally cured concrete. This method, however, necessitates pre-saturation of aggregate at concrete batch plants in accordance with a set timeline. This may increase costs related to stockpile management in addition to the costs and emissions associated with production and hauling the LWFA. The use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) as a means of internal curing can address such problems, while still promoting hydration and reducing the risk of early age cracking. However, there has been relatively little work conducted in the US on these materials. The aim of the work described in this proposal is to conduct laboratory work to address some remaining questions:
• How should SAP products be specified?
• How much is needed?
• Can SAPs be dry batched with additional water in the mixture without compromising performance? • How are mixtures affected by their use?]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:40:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508876</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2318 Implement Bridge Deck Cure and Seal for Slip-Formed Parapet Walls and Sidewalks</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2434143</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will investigate the performance of Silencure in both the lab and field for curing and treating horizontal and vertical concrete. The work will also aim to understand several other curing methods used by ODOT including wet curing, pulp cure, curing compounds, and silane sealers. This information will provide ODOT insight into maintaining its structural concrete, improving its construction practices, and improving the performance of its bridge decks while also reducing the time, cost, and effort during construction. In the past, the department investigated using lithium silicate curing compounds in the place of wet curing and also the use of silanes to penetrate and waterproof the surface of concrete. This work will benefit ODOT by providing a quantitative comparison of both laboratory and field usage of Silencure as well as other procedures used to cure and extend the service life of concrete. Recommendations will be made about the modification of ODOT specifications to help reduce costs during construction while still providing long-term performance of concrete structures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:57:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2434143</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PEM: Influence of Curing Regimes on Formation Factor</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2077942</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study will investigate new techniques for quantifying curing effectiveness of concrete materials. The study focuses on the reduction of early age shrinkage cracking.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:48:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2077942</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4727:  Practical Implementation of Superabsorbent Polymers for Internally Cured Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2011440</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will determine practical ways to utilize superabsorbent polymer (SAP) internal curing agents in concrete mixtures composed ofType IL cement and other supplementary cementitious materials, including slag, silica fume, and E5® nanosilica. Evidence-based guidance will be provided on specific implementation strategies, including SAP delivery method, batching sequence, mixing requirements, and external curing needs for SAP-concrete mixtures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:53:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2011440</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Automated Curing and Strength Monitoring of Sensor-Embedded 3D Printed Transportation Infrastructure</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948611</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main objective of this project is to address a major existing challenge with respect to the
curing conditions and mechanical strength development of 3D printed infrastructure. Integrated
curing techniques are proposed, and the impact of these techniques on the mechanical strength
development of early-age 3D printed specimens will be studied. Embedded sensors in the 3D
printed specimens will be used to monitor the electrical resistivity and temperature variations over
time. The sensory data will then be used to quantify the efficiency of different curing methods and
to estimate the mechanical strength at different ages and under different curing conditions. The
proposed research addresses a major practical challenge for widespread adoption of construction
3D printing technology for automated transportation infrastructure construction.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 11:38:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948611</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of In-Place Density Method for Cold In-Place Recycling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1403620</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Typically, in-place compaction of asphalt bound layers is controlled through the measurement of the density of the compacted mat and the calculation of in-place air voids.  In the case of hot-mix asphalt (HMA), a combination of cores and nuclear density gauge is used to determine the in-place density of the compacted mat following well-established American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Agency’s procedures.  The implementation of the same procedures for cold in-place recycling (CIR) faces serious limitations due to: (1) the inability of cutting cores from the CIR mat until full curing of the CIR mix has occurred which requires 10-14 days; and (2) the ineffectiveness of the nuclear density gauge during the compaction process because of the high moisture content of the CIR mix.
The above limitations have led to the construction of CIR projects without the effective control of in-place compaction.  Hence, the overall objective of this research project is to develop a practical method to measure the in-place density of the CIR layer during the construction and compaction process. First, the possible methodologies that can be used for directly or indirectly measuring the in-place density of CIR layer will be identified. Second, the promising technologies will be evaluated in the laboratory. Finally, the laboratory-validated method will be implemented on field projects and guidelines will be developed for inclusion in construction specifications. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:47:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1403620</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Using Shear Wave Velocity to Monitor the Curing Process of High Performance Flowable Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1301300</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Shear wave velocity measurement of geomaterials using bender element has been used widely in geotechnical engineering during the last decades. The shear wave velocity, or the stiffness of a freshly casted concrete will also change significantly from close to zero to 1300- 2000 mjs. However, monitoring of the lateral pressure, instead of S-wave velocity, was currently adopted as the standard method. The first objective of this proposal is to use bender element as a new monitoring tool to monitor the curing process of a concrete. The second objective of this proposal is to use S-wave velocity as a tool to predict the strength of the early (1 or 3 days) strength of a freshly-casted concrete using correlation between these two quantities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2014 01:01:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1301300</guid>
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