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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>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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      <title>CFST to Concrete Pile Cap Connections - Refinement of Analysis Methodologies and Standardization of Design Details</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2694292</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) piles with concrete pile caps have been successfully used by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) as cost-effective bridge foundations for short and medium-span bridges. While their performance under gravity loads is well understood, predicting their behavior under extreme lateral loads (e.g. seismic events) remains challenging with conventional design methods. Recent research at Montana State University developed a moment-rotation based methodology to predict CFST-to-cap connection capacity, but refinements are needed to improve its accuracy, particularly
regarding the effects of U-bar reinforcement. Additionally, lack of standardized design details for CFST pile cap connections has led to inconsistencies in bridge designs and construction practices. Without standard details, engineers must custom-design each connection, which can result in variable performance and uncertain safety margins. There is a clear need to build upon the existing research findings to enhance the design methodology and provide uniform design guidance for these connections.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:22:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2694292</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Methods for Pile-Footing-Column Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509057</link>
      <description><![CDATA[
Building on a previous project, the proposed research will advance the accelerated bridge construction method for bridge substructures using steel piles and precast pile caps and columns. The weight of the precast members will be reduced using hollow sections, which in turn will improve both construction tolerances and constructability. The hollow sections will be filled with in-situ concrete. The piles will be designed with temporary collars, which will eliminate the need to wait for the concrete to cure before continuing with the superstructure construction. The proposed research, funded jointly by the California Department of Transportation, will include a large-scale test unit which will incorporate both vertical and battered steel piles. The testing of the system will incorporate service level and extreme loads and ensure dependable performance of the new system and its components. As part of the testing program, the performance of the column and pile foundations will be examined systematically. Analytical models will be developed to realize the observed performance of the test unit and the components. Using the combination of analytical and experimental observations and findings from the previous phase of the project, appropriate design recommendations will be developed for improving bridge construction.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:34:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509057</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4546: Implementation Study: Continuous, Wireless Data Collection and Monitoring of the Sagamore Parkway Bridge</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1747298</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will continue data collection and long-term monitoring of the Sagamore Parkway bridge to assess the effects of the fluctuation of the Wabash river water level, severe weather events, scour and traffic conditions on the loads measured at the pile cap and piles supporting pier 7 of the bridge. The continuous, wireless load measurements will be a valuable reference for Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) bridge designers and consultants and enable INDOT to evaluate the serviceability and safety of the bridge in the long term.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2020 09:39:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1747298</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4516: Development of Protocols for Reuse Assessment of Existing Foundations in Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1727171</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In bridge replacement projects, it is often advantageous to reuse existing foundations.  
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) does not have foundation reuse guidelines.  Finite element analyses will be performed to assess the contribution of the pile cap to the overall capacity of pile groups for typical configurations used by INDOT.  Holistic foundation reuse protocols will be developed to systematically assess the conditions of existing foundations in developing solutions for bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects. In addition, the design protocols to be developed will be implemented in three bridge rehabilitation/widening projects selected by INDOT.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2020 11:11:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1727171</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Envisioning Connection detail for Connecting Concrete Filled Tube (CFT) columns to cap beam for High Speed Rail Application</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1543675</link>
      <description><![CDATA[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specification, through AASHTO SCOBS T-14 committee (Steel Bridges) have recently developed design provisions for use of Concrete Filled Tube (CFT) columns for bridge elements, such as columns in substructure. In the case of High Speed Rail (HSR), about 60 to 70% of the HSR infrastructure consists of elevated bridge structures. In one recent case in California, a segment of the High-Speed Rail (HSR) consists of elevated bridge structures with spans of about 110 to 150 ft. with columns, ranging in height from very short to as tall as 100 ft. Use of pre-fabricated sub-structure elements could significantly reduce cost and expedite the HSR project delivery. U.S. DOT has identified the use of HSR as a strategic area for addressing mobility challenges.  Development of an efficient substructure system for HSR is therefore urgent and will result in significant savings. The recent adaptation of CFT columns by AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification is a first step. Development of efficient substructure system for HSR using CFT columns, demands development of cap beam system and their connection to CFT columns. 
This project is a joint investigation with University of Washington. The FIU project will concentrate on development of a connection capable of connecting cap beam system to CFT column, while University of Washington will concentrate on developing a pile cap system that could be utilized in conjunction with CFT columns. Together, these two projects, combined with existing information about CFT columns, will provide an economical substructure alternative system for HSR that will be presented to HSR authority for additional development and implementation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2020 13:44:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1543675</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Foundation Characterization Program (FCP)
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370358</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The characterization of bridge foundations is complex. Bridges can be supported by shallow or deep foundations of varying footing geometries and materials. Footings can be square, circular, or rectangular. Foundations can be pedestal masonry stone footings or massive cofferdam footings. Piles can be present with or without pile caps and may be battered or vertical. Piles can be made of concrete (round, square, cylinder, or octagonal), steel (H-piles or round pipe sections), or timber. Deep foundations can be precast concrete piles, drilled shafts, or auger-cast concrete piles. The top of footings or pile caps can be buried underneath riprap, backfill mud, or channel soils. Additionally, design or as-built drawings of foundations are sometimes not available and technologies for determining foundation condition are expensive and sometimes unreliable. The goal of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is to identify methods to quantify and clarify these unknowns. The Foundation Characterization Program (FCP) attempts to determine one or more of the following: Foundation type (shallow versus deep, or a combination).Elevation of the base of the foundation (e.g. pile tip elevation).Foundation geometry (width, length, and depth), which includes checking the accuracy of as-built plans.Material type (foundation materials, including concrete, masonry, stone, steel, or timber).Integrity (foundation condition, such as corroded steel, rotted wood, or cracked or defective concrete).Foundation load-bearing capacity.Pile distribution – Target avoidance for foundation rehabilitation or underpinning.Remaining service life of the foundation.Subsurface characterization and imaging of soil and rock.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:08:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370358</guid>
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