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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>Improving Deep Learning Models for Bridge Management Using Physics-Based Deep Learning</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1846788</link>
      <description><![CDATA[While various data-driven models are proposed in the literature to forecast bridge deterioration, these models either suffer from low accuracy or are too complex to be applicable in practice. With the research team's prior work, they have demonstrated that deep learning (DL) can significantly outperform other analytical modeling methodologies in bridge deterioration forecasting. However, such models solely rely on data, and unlike physics-based models, cannot benefit from the vast knowledge and experience of bridge engineers encoded in existing physics-based models. As a result, accuracy and efficiency of these models are suboptimal. With this proposal, the team intends to develop hybrid physics-based DL models that can benefit from both effectiveness of DL and the prior knowledge encoded in physics-based bridge models. Such hybrid models are expected to outperform the DL-only models in terms of accuracy and efficiency; hence, enabling further enhanced bridge management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2021 19:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1846788</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Developing and Calibrating Fragmental Rockfall Models using Physics Engines</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1728173</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of the research work are to: 1) Develop a field data collection methodology to observe rockfall events, generated by scaling projects. Develop a detailed database of rockfall events, collected and analyzed from state department of transportation (DOT) rock slope scaling projects, and utilize this database to define ranges of input parameters needed to simulate rockfalls. 2) Build a user interface with the selected physics engine to permit model self-calibration based on observations, and generate numerous simulations providing probabilistic output data. Define and produce usable metrics such as runout distance for a defined % of the volume, bounce height and energy etc. 3) Determine the basis for decisions related to goodness of fit of simulations, and simulate many known rockfall events to define appropriate ranges of input parameters to generate realistic fragmental rockfall models for different geological settings and slope condition states. 4) Simulate the interaction between falling fragments and the underlying slope, considering geology, geometry and whether the blocks will be impacting outcropping rock, talus, soil, and possibly vegetation, to refine the fragmentation model. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2020 14:03:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1728173</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>SAV Mitigation Strategies for Shallow, Turbid, Oligohaline Waters of the NC Coast</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1481058</link>
      <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has recently applied wave attenuation in polyhaline (i.e., salinity of 18-30ppt) patchy submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) habitats as a mitigation strategy to facilitate coalescence of patches by colonization within gaps, producing new and permanent seagrass acreage.  While it is expected that oligohaline SAV communities may respond similarly (i.e., increased cover with decreased wave energy) , little has been done to document the fidelity of the SAV response to waves in oligohaline waters, nor has it been applied to mitigation needs.  The project team proposes to examine SAV patch coalescence response to wave reduction in oligohaline waters and how the life history strategy of key oligohaline species influences that response. The team will examine biological and physical parameters influencing the presence and abundance of SAV in Currituck Sound to develop mitigation approaches for impacts to submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) associated with coastal bridge projects.  This project has two primary objectives relevant to SAV mitigation: (1) SAV life history strategies and response to physical processes (e.g., waves, salinity, etc.) and (2) SAV response to wave attenuation in the wind-driven Currituck Sound.
	Capitalizing on the project team's strong partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Engineer Research & Development Center's (USACE-ERDC’s) Field Research Facility (FRF) and Queens University, the project team will use data from the recently installed observing platforms in Currituck Sound to develop a wind driven circulation/wave model that will provide critical information on variability of physical drivers in the system and predict changes to these parameters associated with the new bridge and wave attenuation strategies.  Understanding the variability of the physical setting is important for evaluating life history strategies by which native and dominant SAV maintain their populations in the sound.  Linking these data will allow NCDOT to utilize mitigation practices that are consistent with the species’ ecology and the environmental setting.  Further, the suite of highly localized environmental data being collected provides the project team's proposed work with an unusual opportunity to understand the relationship of SAV abundance and distribution at relevant spatial and temporal scales.  The manipulation of wave energy, coupled with an understanding of the fine-scale SAV spatial dynamics and life history strategies will provide NCDOT with a mitigation methodology for oligohaline SAV species that will be supported by scientifically defensible (and published) data. This tightly integrated, applied science package will provide the NCDOT with a low-risk, strategic position by which to quickly resolve habitat impacts.  
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2017 09:34:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1481058</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NOI # 13 -  ACCESS 2 Micro-Physics Modeling
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368637</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:23:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368637</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vibration-Mitigation Devices for Structural Supports of Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1364352</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Structural supports for signs, luminaires, and traffic signals are typically characterized by high flexibility and low damping, which makes them prone to wind-induced vibration and susceptible to fatigue and structural failure. The use of vibration-mitigation devices could reduce the induced vibration thereby increasing the life of new and existing structures; reducing the costs of new structures; contributing to improved safety for the traveling public; and reducing maintenance, inspection, and repair costs. Although several mitigation devices have been proposed, only a few have been used, primarily due to the absence of test methods for evaluating their effectiveness and implications in the structural design process. Research is needed to develop test procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of these vibration-mitigation devices and considering their effect on the structural design process. Incorporating such procedures into the AASHTO LRFD Specifications for Structural Supports for Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals (AASHTO LRFD SLTS Specifications) would facilitate the use of effective vibration-mitigation devices for new and existing structures and help accrue economic and other benefits.
The objectives of this research were to (1) develop test procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of vibration-mitigation devices for structural supports of signs, luminaires, and traffic signals and (2) propose procedures for considering the effectiveness of these devices in the design process of the structural supports. The findings of this research led to incremental advancement in the body of knowledge on this topic. NCHRP 12-111 Final Contractor's Report is now available.  Draft procedures, derived from this research, were given to AASHTO for consideration for potential incorporation into the AASHTO LRFD SLTS Specifications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2015 01:01:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1364352</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Dilation Characteristics of Rubberized Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1301299</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recently, the principal investigator (PI) research group developed a structural system for accelerating bridge construction. The system consists of precast post-tensioned concrete filled fiber reinforced polymer tubes (PPT-CFFT). However, the system has limited viscous damping. Recent research showed that viscous damping of concrete can be increased by adding shredded rubber. To incorporate the rubberized concrete into PPT-CFFT, the factors that affect the behavior of confined rubberized concrete need to be quantified. One of the main parameters to quantify the confinement is dilation angle. This research will use triaxial tests to determine the dilation angle of rubberized concrete having different rubber content and different confining pressure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2014 01:01:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1301299</guid>
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