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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
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    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Adaptive Prestressing System for Concrete Crossties: Prototype Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007977</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Prestressed concrete crossties represent one of the current strategies to upgrade the rail infrastructure to accommodate heavier loads and higher speeds. However, despite their strength, numerous members have exhibited durability issues that have led to their replacement before reaching their anticipated lifespan. Some of these issues are related to the development of cracks in critical regions. The source of the cracks is often associated with changes in the support conditions of the crossties, characteristics of the pre- or post-tensioning procedure, and the dynamic effects of the wheel-rail interaction. Unfortunately, overcoming these crack formations is challenging since the tensile stresses that generate them concentrate in specific parts of the members, such as the center or rail seat regions, while the common production practices (“long line” and “carousel”) prestress the entire length of the crossties, including zones where compressive forces are unnecessary or even counterproductive. To address this problem, this research project proposes an innovative prestressing approach designed to focus prestressing forces where they are most needed. In particular, the approach integrates traditional post-tensioning with localized forces exerted by shape memory alloys (SMAs) after activating their shape memory effect (SME). First, the concept was validated analytically through finite element models. Then, as an initial step in studying the technique in a practical context, four full-scale crosstie prototypes were cast, each featuring a specific arrangement of SMA reinforcement. These arrangements comprised plain NiTiNb and FeMnSi elements as well as two different FeMnSi-based adaptive prestressing system (APS) assemblies. The experimental program consisted of two phases. The first phase involved the activation of the SME through induction heating. The embedded SMA components of the specimens were heated above their activation temperature to trigger the development of their recovery stresses. After cooling down, the data collected by strain gauges and digital image correlation showed that the SMAs induced levels of local prestress in the crosstie specimens that ranged from approximately 5.2 MPa to 11.1 MPa. The second phase of the experimental program focused on evaluating the flexural performance of the specimens at their rail seat and center regions, following the testing protocol recommended by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA). The results indicated satisfactory performance for specimens at the center region, exceeding the design limit by at least 19.90%. At the rail seats, the specimens displayed an acceptable performance under negative curvature bending but need further evaluation under positive curvature bending, as they currently meet the required flexural capacity but at reduced track speeds. Overall, the proposed approach shows promise as it demonstrates that a significant amount of end-to-end post-tensioning can be replaced with localized SMA prestressing and still meet important design criteria. Achieving a balance between both prestressing approaches could lead to mitigating the undesirable cracking patterns and reducing the reliance on traditional prestressing wires in regions where they are not beneficial.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2022 16:37:23 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Evaluation of Seismic Performance of Bridge Columns with Couplers and Development of Design Guideline</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1398655</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) relies heavily on prefabricated reinforced concrete members. One method to connect prefabricated columns to footings or cap beams is through the use of mechanical couplers. It is convenient to locate these couplers in the plastic hinge zone of the columns, even though current seismic codes do not allow couplers in plastic hinge zones in moderate and high seismic areas. Recent research has revealed the feasibility and sufficient seismic performance of columns utilizing couplers in the plastic hinge.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:48:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1398655</guid>
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      <title>Strength, Durability, and Application of Grouted Couplers for Integral Abutments in ABC Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1398653</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Accelerated bridge construction (ABC) projects are becoming more commonplace and often critical to bridge designers and contractors meeting the needs and demands of the traveling public. Through the development of various ABC designs and techniques, several technologies have been important for accelerating the process or to provide for greater bridge sustainability. At the same time, significant steps have been made in improving bridge durability by moving towards bridges with integral abutments. However, to date, the two have not been paired together for ABC and, in general, integral abutments have seen limited (if any) use in ABC despite widespread use in typical bridge construction for decades. Development of an integral abutment design utilizing grouted couplers has the potential to make bridges constructed using ABC techniques more efficient, economical, and increase service life by eliminating expansion joints. Furthermore, these designs will allow all the benefits conventional bridges with integral abutments have realized to be transferred and applied to ABC projects. In addition to the integral abutment design using grouted couplers, there is a need for more information regarding the strength and durability of the grouted rebar coupler in these specific applications. Testing and validating these characteristics, in a capacity directly related to ABC projects and integral abutments, would ensure ABC bridges constructed using these technologies meet or exceed the strength and serviceability requirements of their cast-in-place counterparts. The focus of this project is to expand on work currently ongoing to further understand the strength and durability characteristics of grouted couplers for use in ABC projects, specifically, integral abutments for ABC projects. In addition, to investigate other means for developing an integral abutment connection suitable for ABC projects. To accomplish this, developed details for integral abutments utilizing grouted couplers and other connection details will be constructed and evaluated through laboratory testing.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2016 15:35:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1398653</guid>
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      <title>SEISMIC: Seismic Performance of Precast Bridge Columns with Grouted Couplers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1234194</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Caltrans is actively promoting accelerated bridge construction to minimize construction related impacts to the traveling public and to enhance work zone safety. Providing reliable connections to ensure ductile performance is essential to developing designs capable of performing to the exacting specifications required in seismic-prone areas. Grouted splice sleeve couplers have been used successfully in the eastern and southern US for accelerated bridge construction (ABC), but testing is needed to verify their seismic performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:08:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1234194</guid>
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