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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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      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Polymer Concrete As A Bonding Agent in Segmental Bridge Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633311</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Segmental bridge construction is a widely used technique that enables efficient assembly and cost-effective infrastructure development. However, its long-term performance depends on the bonding material used to connect individual segments. Traditional grout, while commonly used, lacks the flexibility and durability required to withstand cyclic loading and environmental stressors. This research investigates polymer concrete (PC) as an alternative bonding agent, aiming to enhance structural resilience, load distribution, and long-term durability in segmental bridge construction. The study will evaluate the performance of five scaled bridge specimens: one bonded with grout and four with different polymer concrete formulations. These include Epoxy Polymer Concrete, Polyester Polymer Concrete, Polymethyl Methacrylate Polymer Concrete, and Poly Vinyl Ester Polymer Concrete, all of which are currently used in bridge deck overlays. Through laboratory testing and large-scale cyclic load testing, the study will assess their bonding strength, stress distribution, flexibility, and resistance to permanent deformation compared to traditional grout.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:04:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633311</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Polymer Concrete Joints for Precast Bridge Elements. Polymer Concrete for Bridge Deck Closure Joints in Accelerated Bridge Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582920</link>
      <description><![CDATA[For joints between precast elements on Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) projects, Polymer Concrete (PC) has a great advantage of cost saving over Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). PC can also be mixed without needing specialized equipment and uses non-proprietary products in its mix designs, which are easier to source than the products used in UHPC mix designs. The primary objective of the project is to develop and test joint designs with PC and develop a mix design that can be used by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).

The overall objective of this project is to equip MNDOT with the science and tools towards implementing a polymer concrete alternative solution for field joints of precast bridge members for accelerated construction.

The polymer concrete alternative is to be comparable to what the NMDOT has recently implemented using ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) solutions. The NMDOT will leverage several years of research at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in the area of polymer concrete and non-proprietary UHPC mix development and applications for accelerated bridge construction (ABC). UNR hosts world-class structural and large-scale testing facilities, as well as the materials laboratories under the Western Regional Superpave Center, to conduct a comprehensive experimental program that support the implementation tools that NMDOT requires.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:51:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582920</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Polymer Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlay Applications in Virginia: Phase I</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2567106</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study will evaluate the use of Polyester Polymer Concrete (PPC) and Hybrid Composite Synthetic Concrete (HCSC) for bridge deck overlay applications in Virginia. These polymer concretes are expected to provide rapid and durable solutions for bridge deck maintenance, particularly on high volume roads where short turnaround times are needed. The study will include laboratory testing to assess the engineering properties of PPC and HCSC, along with the planning and coordination required for future field trial to document the application process and performance of these polymer concretes. The results of this research will help establish best practices, inform maintenance strategies, and support future revisions to Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT’s) special provisions for polymer concrete overlays.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:14:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2567106</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reducing Embodied Carbon with Mineral-Blended Polymeric Microspheres
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2325916</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will evaluate the performance of a mineral-blended polymeric microsphere powder used to construct concrete pavement test sections at MnRoad. The microsphere concrete mixtures will be compared with a reference mixture that contains conventional air entrainment and existing mixtures evaluated at MnRoad. Performance will be monitored over a 3-year period. The three-fold objectives for evaluating the microsphere mixtures are as follows: (1) determine the reductions in cement content that can be achieved with typical pavement concrete mixtures in which air-entraining agents are replaced with the microsphere-powder blend; (2) develop test data on strength and freeze-thaw durability for selected concrete mixtures to support application of the microsphere concrete mixtures in pavement construction; and (3) quantify the sustainability benefits of use of microsphere concrete in lieu of conventional air-entrained concrete mixtures.
 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:20:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2325916</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comprehending the Structural Performance and Examining Potential Field Applications of Sileto, as a New Material</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221104</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Sileto is a new polymer based concrete that its properties does not change by temperature. It is a proprietary material developed by a company named Sileto.
Florida International University (FIU) undertook a preliminary project with total funding of $10,000 to conduct a very limited work to evaluate the material. This constituted Phase I of the project. Now Sileto is interested in conducting additional study, this time to final application areas, in cooperation with Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (ABC-UTC). Sileto will provide $120,000 cash to FIU, in addition to Sileto material that will be needed in conducted of the test. Sileto will also assist the research team where it is needed. ABC-UTC will provide $80,000 toward this Phase II of the project. In Phase I of the investigation, of a project funded by Sileto, at FIU, a series of activities were undertaken to develop preliminary assessment of Sileto and identify the feasible areas of application for Sileto in United States.  Following the conclusion of the Phase I research the final report summarizing the activities within Phase I was submitted to Sileto. In addition to FIU research, Sileto was also evaluated by Construction Technology Laboratories (CTL) in Skokie Illinois. The main objective of the proposed study is to comprehend some fundamental structural performance of Sileto as a material to be used for (1) bridge deck overlay, (2) precast deck panel, to form deck system for folded plate girder bridge system, (3) 3D printing in the form of layer by layer, (4) retrofitting structural elements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 21:28:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221104</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bond Behavior of Nano-Enhanced Polymer Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlays</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221099</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Polymer concrete overlays are light weight, wear resistant, skid resistant and waterproofing characteristics make them an intelligent and durable decision for new construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and preservation of bridges. A polymer concrete overlay also minimizes traffic disruption. It’s generally applied at a total thickness of only one-half to three-quarter inch. Their rapid cure (open to traffic within 3 hours) characteristic is highly suitable for accelerated bridge construction applications. In some cases, workers can place the overlay at night then open it to traffic the next day. Moreover, these overlays are corrosion resistant, providing a barrier between the dissimilar materials to minimize galvanic corrosion, saving the expense of applying additional corrosion-resistant primers to the steel reinforcement; have very good cracking resistance and have superior durability [1]. When bridge deck overlays are considered, a strong bond to the existing concrete surface and/or reinforcement is required. The properties discussed above make polymer-based materials a favorable material for bridge deck overlays [2] but improving the bond strength of polymer concrete is heavily unexplored and can bring significant benefit in accelerated bridge construction. Polymer-based overlays show no delamination with the substrate concrete beams after 2 million cycles of fatigue loading [3]. It is important for the bonded joint to be able to sustain all expected in-service loads and environmental conditions, which can vary considerably.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Jul 2023 21:06:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221099</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Recycling Large Scale 3D Printed Polymer Composite Precast Concrete Formwork</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1895372</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Large-scale thermoplastic composite extrusion-based 3D printing has been used in research labs and is moving into industry. One significant use of large-scale 3D printing has been to make forms for manufacturing precast concrete parts. Once the forms have been used for casting concrete parts, there is an opportunity to reuse the material and recycle the thermoplastic composite. Ideally, the 3D printed thermoplastic composite can be recycled into feedstock pellets that can be used again for 3D printing newer parts. However, the process of recycling 3D printed concrete forms is not well-established. Efficient ways of removing debris, cutting the 3D printed parts into smaller pieces, and pelletizing need to be figured out. The degradation in material properties with each recycling needs to be characterized and if necessary, a suitable ratio of a mix between virgin and recycled polymer needs to be determined. The cost of recycling needs to be evaluated and compared to the cost of the 3D-printed material.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:32:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1895372</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Exploring Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Concrete for Accelerated Bridge Construction Applications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1838517</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The use of precast concrete superstructure elements can expedite project delivery, improve work-zone safety, and reduce overall project cost. To accelerate construction, the precast elements must be connected quickly on-site, ideally using as little additional material as possible. While the excellent tension and bond strengths of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) make it ideal for this purpose, the time at which UHPC achieves its design strength is directly proportional to the rate of hydration of the cementitious binder. While UHPC may provide the best solution in many instances, alternative joint materials that utilize polymer binders, instead of cementitious ones, may be more suitable if rapid strength gain is needed. This project explores a potential alternative closure joint material, fiber-reinforced polymer concrete (FRPC), which displays levels of the two critical characteristics (bond and tension strength) that are comparable to, or potentially better than, those of UHPC. FRPC has the advantage of requiring shorter closure windows (approximately 4 hours versus 72 hours of UHPC) due to the very rapid strength gain of the polymer, which could be ideal for overnight construction or rehabilitation projects, and provides an additional option to the engineer and contractor when choosing a closure joint material for a given circumstance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2021 11:32:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1838517</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Performance Evaluation of Polyester Polymer Concrete Overlays Continuation Proposal Phase II TR-772</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1601789</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of Polyester Polymer Concrete (PPC) overlays to be applied on two older
bridge decks in Iowa and develop guidelines for Iowa DOT that can aid in the implementation, design, and
construction of PPC overlays based on challenges and successes observed in the two case studies. This project will aid in future bridge deck overlay decision making and provide design, construction, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) guidance for future practice.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:01:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1601789</guid>
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