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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSJhbGwiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnM+PGZpbHRlciBmaWVsZD0iaW5kZXh0ZXJtcyIgdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O1BpbGUgZm91bmRhdGlvbnMmcXVvdDsiIG9yaWdpbmFsX3ZhbHVlPSImcXVvdDtQaWxlIGZvdW5kYXRpb25zJnF1b3Q7IiAvPjwvZmlsdGVycz48cmFuZ2VzIC8+PHNvcnRzPjxzb3J0IGZpZWxkPSJwdWJsaXNoZWQiIG9yZGVyPSJkZXNjIiAvPjwvc29ydHM+PHBlcnNpc3RzPjxwZXJzaXN0IG5hbWU9InJhbmdldHlwZSIgdmFsdWU9InB1Ymxpc2hlZGRhdGUiIC8+PC9wZXJzaXN0cz48L3NlYXJjaD4=" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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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>
    <image>
      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Phase II: Method Development for Construction Design in Diatomaceous Soils</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2594023</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Diatomaceous soils, which contain silica frustules from ancient algae blooms, are prevalent in eastern and central Oregon, including in areas of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) right-of-way. For engineering projects built on top of or in these deposits, problems such as excessive settlement of embankments, slope instability, and construction difficulties with drilled shafts and driven piles have been observed (ex. Wickiup Junction, Buck Creek Bridge). Lack of a robust understanding of the behavior of diatomaceous soils is often cited as the reason for this poor design performance. Complicating matters further, relatively little is documented in the literature regarding the performance of piles in diatomaceous soils. To begin to understand the behavior of diatomaceous soils, ODOT recently invested in a research program (SPR820) to develop predictive estimating models for geotechnical properties of Oregon’s diatomaceous silt, leveraging available data from existing ODOT diatomaceous projects together with targeted field-directed geotechnical testing including an array of in-situ tests at select sites in diatomaceous deposits. These materials have been further characterized through an extensive laboratory testing program. A full-scale field test is now required to develop and validate necessary empirical design methods for deep foundations in diatomaceous silt.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:33:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2594023</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Combined Inertial and Lateral Spread Demands for Deep Foundations 



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558398</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In certain regions of the United States, highway bridge foundations may be subject to (1) lateral spreading demands due to liquefaction or cyclic softening of native soils adjacent to deep foundations (i.e., kinematics) and (2) inertial demands during shaking due to structure mass. There is no consensus in design codes on how to combine inertial and kinematic demands. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design Bridge Design Specifications recommend designing deep foundations for the simultaneous effects of inertia and lateral spreading only for large magnitude earthquakes. The combination of inertial and earthquake-induced kinematic demands appears to be a site- and project-specific phenomenon affected by the type of foundations (e.g., small-diameter piles vs. large-diameter shafts), the dynamic response of the structures (e.g., bridge deck response in the longitudinal and transverse directions and the restraining effects of the approach embankments on the global response of the superstructure), and ground motion characteristics (e.g., subduction vs. shallow crustal motions with varying durations). Research is needed to characterize the inertial and kinematic demand combination factors for highway bridges and propose revisions to the current design requirements.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop combination factors (i.e., inertial and kinematic) for bridge deep foundations subjected to inertial (e.g., structural dynamics) and earthquake-induced ground deformation (e.g., liquefaction, strain softening, cyclic mobility) demands.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 10:06:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558398</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Field Durability survey and Evaluation of Drilled Shafts and ACP Piles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2536236</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of the study is to determine if there are significant safety and durability issues for structural concrete structures that may have demonstrated thermal cracking and/or mattressing defects. Understanding if and/or when undesirable consequences occur will lead to the ability to recommend changes in construction practices or material composition (i.e. concrete mix designs) to increase reliability and longevity of future Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concrete structures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2025 09:34:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2536236</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>Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) Methodology for Integral Abutments</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509055</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Building on a previous bridge substructure project, the proposed research will advance the accelerated bridge construction method for integral bridge abutments supported on steel piles and constructed using prefabricated and in-situ concrete along with other advanced construction techniques (3D printing) and materials as appropriate. The weight of the prefabricated members will be reduced using hollow or shell elements, 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 assembly of the abutment and placement of the girders. The proposed research, funded jointly by the California Department of Transportation, will include two large-scale outdoor test units, which will incorporate both vertical and battered steel piles. One test unit will model an integral abutment while the second unit will replicate a seat type abutment with other details. 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 abutments will be examined systematically. Analytical models will be developed to replicate the observed performance of the test unit, the components and the connections. 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 18:06:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509055</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>	Effects of Downdrag on Pile Performance, Phase II Pilot Study</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499028</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objectives of the study are three-fold: (1) determine the long-term and short-term effects from seasonal and transient loads (2) develop software to better assess and design for embankment settlement and downdrag, and (3) refine the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT design criteria for end bents.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 13:19:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499028</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Correlating Driven Pile Resistance with Drive Point Test and Measurement-While-Drilling Data</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2489974</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has commonly used driven piles as deep foundations for structure support. Standard penetration tests (SPT) and sampling have been used to obtain geological/geotechnical profiles, locate the elevation of pile tips, and estimate pile resistance before pile installation. SPT and sampling are slow and provide discontinuous data, which may not provide accurate estimation of pile tip elevation and resistance. A drive point test (DPT) consists of driving a steel rod with a solid tip into ground by repeated impact with blows (defined as a penetration index, i.e., penetration/blow) while measurement-while-drilling (MWD) refers to measuring the torque required to drill an auger into ground. DPT and MWD have recently been introduced to the practice, which are quick and can provide continuous field geological/geotechnical profiles with measured penetration indices and torque with depth. KDOT has acquired the DPT device and is in the process of acquiring the MWD equipment. However, the correlations of the DPT and the MWD data with the pile side and tip resistances are not known; therefore, it is important to establish such relationships. The proposed study is to perform DPT and MWD at selected sites that have previous pile driving analyzer (PDA) data and/or pile loading test data and then to establish their correlations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:07:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2489974</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TRC2502: Development of Modern Methods for Evaluation of Timber  Pile Capacity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422926</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) is responsible for inspecting and maintaining hundreds of timber pile bridges. Approximately 30% of these timber pile bridges are in poor condition, and the current ARDOT protocol for timber pile testing doesn't provide an actual pile capacity value that may be used to load-rate the structure. Although poor cross-sectional properties are identified from the measurement curve, the actual pile capacity is not determined. This research will utilize a combination of the IML PowerDrill and IML Fractometer II to determine timber pile capacity and define pile degradation curves, establishing equations for pile capacity based on pile characteristics and age. These thresholds will inform a system of determining pile quality, allowing ARDOT to implement measures to estimate the remaining service life of timber piles before they become structurally deficient and maintain an accurate database of bridges in need of replacement or rehabilitation or those that have failed. This research also aims to update current timber pile bridge inspection guidelines and develop a manual for determining pile capacity in the field.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:29:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422926</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4923: Development of Design Guidelines and Static Design Method for Open-Ended Pipe Piles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422616</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main goal of the research is to develop design guidelines for Open-Ended Pipe Piles that INDOT may follow, with special focus on soil conditions and pile geometries typical in Indiana. In addition, guidance will be provided on how to design open-ended pipe piles using software available to INDOT and consultants (e.g., Driven program).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:12:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422616</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Combined Flexure and Axial Load Performance of UHPC Piles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2370810</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A combined experimental and analytical program will be used. The analytical program will perform moment-curvature analysis on candidate cross sections, force-deformation analysis on tested specimens, and expand the application of the experimental results to pile sizes larger than those that are physically tested. The experimental program will consist of 1/2 to 2/3 scale specimens tested under both strong and weak axis bending considering combined axial-flexural interaction. The testing program will consider three different load cases: proof axial load (failure load analysis would require smaller-scale specimens based on existing equipment), constant axial load plus monotonically increasing flexural load to failure in either a cantilever or third-point configuration and third-point bending load to failure without axial load as a control. Results will be compared with full-scale ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) pile flexural tests previously conducted at the SRC. Results will be used to revise/update the moment-axial pile interaction diagrams provided in the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Standard Plan Instructions for UHPC piles, and provisions in the FDOT Structures Design Guidelines and FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:36:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2370810</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Statewide Calibration of CPT Direct Design Methods Using Static Load Test Data</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2359344</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objectives of this research project are as follows: (1) Look into the possibility of grouping the PLTs and CPT/CPTu database into state regions for regional evaluation of pile-CPT/CPTu methods and calibration the corresponding resistance factors (ϕ). (2) Group the collected PLTs and CPT/CPTU database into pile type for possible extending and evaluating the direct pile-CPT/CPTu methods for each pile type and calibrating the corresponding resistance factors (ϕ). (3) Explore the potential application of Bayesian algorithm to enhance the statistically limited or scattered data and update the statistical data (mean, , and COV) for better evaluating and calibrating the resistance factors (ϕ).
(4) Re-evaluate and re-rank the different pile-CPT/CPTu design methods for estimating the ultimate capacity of different pile types and/or different regions using different evaluation criteria. (5) Look into the possibility of developing new and/or modifying pile design methods using machine learning (ML) algorithms for better evaluating the ultimate capacity of piles utilizing CPT/CPTu data. (6) Evaluate available SCPT methods for generating the load-settlement curve of pile-load tests and hence evaluating the ultimate capacity of piles based on Davisson’s interpretation criteria. (7) Recalibrate the resistance factors for the different direct pile-CPT/CPTu methods for use in LRFD design of pile foundations. (8) Update the LPD-CPT software to include the top-performed pile-CPT/CPTu/SCPT design methods for different state regions and different pile types. (9) Develop a methodology to perform periodic/continuous recalibration of direct design methods as well as resistance factors.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:57:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2359344</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Drilled Shaft Imaging With 2d Ultrasonic Waveform Tomography</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2339973</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to develop a new ultrasonic technique for full-volume imaging of drilled shafts. The technique will enable to characterize the whole drilled shaft at high-resolution (cm-pixels) for assessment of concrete and defects both inside and outside the rebar cage.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:07:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2339973</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation and Incorporation of Site and Laboratory Variability into LRFD Design of Pile Foundations – Phase 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2292744</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main objectives of this research are to evaluate the different sources of geotechnical site variability and to quantify the effect of spatial site variability; number of lab/in-situ tests; type and quality of test methods; number and type of load tests, and location/distribution of test methods for inclusion in the analysis and design of deep foundations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:17:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2292744</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improved Geotechnical Correlations for Lateral Pile Analysis</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2270164</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project scope includes the following: collect a database of lateral pile load tests and in-situ test results from available literature and in-house files; develop improved correlations between lateral soil resistance parameters and in-situ penetration resistance in cohesionless soils that quantify uncertainty; and develop improved correlations between lateral soil resistance parameters and undrained shear strength and CPT qc in cohesive soils.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:12:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2270164</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4844:  Analysis of DownDrag Loads Using the Neutral Plan Method</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232902</link>
      <description><![CDATA[INDOT developed a preliminary procedure internally to locate the neutral plane. To assess the validity of its procedure, INDOT has identified a construction project on US 31 in Marshall County to instrument and monitor..The research tasks of the project include analyzing the data collected over time from the strain gauges installed on the test pile, performing a few numerical simulations of the test pile under field conditions to help with accurate location of the neutral plane, assessing INDOT’s procedure for location of the neutral considering the data collected in this construction project and the result of the simulations, suggesting modifications to INDOT’s procedure as needed, based on the data analyses, and proposing guidelines for future projects in which downdrag must be considered.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:20:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232902</guid>
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