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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" 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>
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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>Evaluation &amp; Mitigation Methods for the Prevention of Cement Concrete Deterioration due to Pyrrhotite: Part 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2714457</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Sulfide-bearing minerals, particularly pyrrhotite when present in aggregates used in Portland cement concrete, can oxidize and trigger premature deterioration. There is a critical need to investigate concrete mixture design parameters and treatment strategies that can mitigate these reactions and reduce the risk and progression of premature concrete distress. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this project is to evaluate how concrete mixture design strategies and selected treatments can mitigate degradation mechanisms and slow the rate of damage in concrete affected by oxidation of pyrrhotite-bearing aggregates.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:43:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2714457</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Reflective Cracking in Wisconsin</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671979</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research aims to determine mixture performance and mix design requirements that increase the resistance of asphalt overlays to reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Recommendations must not sacrifice other critical performance or constructability attributes, such as rutting resistance and smoothness. Research efforts should focus on mill and overlay and overlay over existing Portland Cement Concrete design scenarios. Summarize existing mix design and performance requirements for asphalt overlays used by local and State Agencies in regions with similar climatic and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify and recommend process-driven methods and technologies that show promise in reducing reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Using existing Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) mixtures as a benchmark, modify or supplement the existing WisDOT balanced mix design (BMD) special provision focusing on BMD “Approach C” for mixtures designated for asphalt overlays. Researchers will summarize relevant local and State practices concerning asphalt overlays and reflective cracking resistance, focusing on regions with similar climate, traffic, and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify potential process-driven methods and technologies to improve reflective cracking resistance for recommendation as future WisDOT research. Using the existing WisDOT BMD special provision as guidance, researchers will preferentially modify or supplement the provision using BMD “Approach C” to reduce the reflective cracking of asphalt overlays. Develop recommendations and requirements to validate the BMD framework developed in prior tasks. Recommendations should consider a minimum number of projects, mix design designations (such as traffic level), project scope and size, and requirements for mixture sampling and data acquisition, among other variables.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:13:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671979</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2503 Enhancing MALP and MKP as Repair Materials Through Joint Usage and in combination with Ceramic Paint</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606541</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this research is to address the corrosion performance of conventional reinforcing steel in uncracked and cracked magnesium-aluminum-liquid-phosphate (MALP) concrete and magnesium-potassium-phosphate (MKP) concrete in simulated repairs of Portland cement of both high and low quality. Reinforcing bars will be evaluated in both a clean and passive state and in an actively corroding state. The project will evaluate the ability of MALP concrete to withstand freeze-thaw cycles both as an individual material and in conjunction with Portland cement concrete. CeramycGuard will be investigated as a possible method to limit the penetration of salt solution into MKP to improve the corrosion resistance provided to reinforcing steels.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:05:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606541</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantifying Portland-Limestone Cement Chemical and Physical Characteristics Affecting Concrete Quality</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582993</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The benefits of this work will assist in developing high-quality concrete and long-term durability, which is needed to provide a resilient transportation infrastructure.  The adoption of low-carbon transportation materials offers many challenges and opportunities for success. This work presents the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) the chance to influence the adoption of low-carbon materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout New Mexico, aligning itself with U.S. Federal goals of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:54:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582993</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-5024: Evaluation and Optimization of Portland Limestone Cement Concretes: Materials, Mixtures, and Performance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553992</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project addresses INDOT’s need for sustainable, high-performance concrete by improving the mechanical and durability characteristics of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) Concrete. Deliverables include optimized mixture design guidelines, machine learning-based predictive models, microstructural insights into the interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and validated performance data. These outcomes will support INDOT’s transition to lower-carbon materials without compromising structural reliability, enabling broader use of PLC in pavements and bridge decks.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2025 15:57:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553992</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alternative Pavement Rehabilitation Strategy Using a Geogrid Interlayer</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507238</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A common pavement rehabilitation strategy to address structural and functional deficiencies of the underlying pavement involves repairing the damaged Portland cement concrete (PCC) layer and placing a 4- to 6-inch asphalt concrete (AC) overlay. The AC-PCC composite pavements comprise a significant portion of roadway mileage in the U.S., representing over 91,000 centerline miles, including 9,500 centerline miles on the Interstate network alone. This process often requires costly and time-consuming concrete repairs before adding the asphalt layer, yet it does not guarantee the durability of the rehabilitated pavement section. According to the 2024 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) report om Practices for Maintaining and Resurfacing Existing Composite Pavements, the performance of AC overlays on existing PCC pavements varies considerably. State departments of transportation (DOTs) reported performance lives of about 6 to 15 years for AC overlay. The major distress affecting the performance of AC-PCC composite pavements is reflective cracking - a phenomenon of propagation of cracks from an existing cracked pavement surface into and through the newly laid overlay due to traffic and/or temperature induced stresses. The distress due to reflective cracking can be retarded by the installation of different interlayer systems, which can improve the performance of the asphalt overlays by providing stress relief, reinforcement and moisture control.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:11:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507238</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effect of Carbon-Negative Carbon Black on Concrete Properties</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2389221</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research endeavor aims to transform concrete production by investigating new materials and formulations that help minimize its environmental impact. The cement industry's substantial greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to clinker production for ordinary Portland cement (OPC), have led to a pursuit of alternative strategies to reduce CO2 emissions, such as adopting Portland limestone cement (PLC) and using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). However, traditional SCMs are facing diminishing availability, propelling the adoption of alternative SCMs like reclaimed coal ashes and calcined clay to curb clinker usage and emissions. Additionally, innovative carbon-negative additives like carbon black offer potential in reducing the carbon footprint of concrete, though challenges remain in maintaining performance. This project not only aims to optimize new cementitious blends of PLC, alternative SCMs, and carbon-negative additives for reduced emissions but also seeks to educate undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Through hands-on research and industry exposure, the project will foster a skilled workforce poised to address contemporary challenges in transportation materials]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jun 2024 07:28:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2389221</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of Longitudinal Cracking Models for Concrete Pavements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381706</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The formation of longitudinal cracks compromises the structural adequacy and reduces the service life of jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP). Although longitudinal cracking in JPCP has been widely observed by state transportation agencies, the current version of the AASHTOWare pavement mechanistic-empirical design (PMED) software does not account for this critical distress. Studies indicate that longitudinal cracks can be caused by various factors, ranging from construction issues to specific design features.

Research is needed to understand the causes of this distress pattern better and more accurately predict it to prevent or minimize longitudinal cracking, resulting in safer and longer-lasting pavements.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to identify the causes of longitudinal cracking in JPCP and develop longitudinal cracking predictive models.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2024 20:06:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381706</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimizing Cementitious Systems for Alternative Cement using Thermodynamic Modeling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344524</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the light of the fact that existing SCM sources may not be available in sufficient supply in the future, the discovery of new SCMs and PLC and the successful validation of their performance are needed. Research is crucial to examine the impact that this has on the corrosion and service life of the concrete. The project aims at developing sustainable SCMs and PLC concretes. Toward this end the team will quantify the impact of binder composition on corrosion rates. Deliverables of this project include (1) Guidelines/specifications of the physical and chemical properties of the materials; (2) Simulations of the performance that can be expected with the SCMs and PLC; (3) Performance-based test results obtained from laboratory testing; and (4) Comparison to existing SCMs. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:22:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344524</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Laboratory Evaluation of Fresh and Hardened Concrete Comprising Type IP Portland-Pozzolan Cement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263680</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to evaluate properties of fresh and hardened concrete comprising portland-pozzolan cement with respect to current Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) specifications for cast-in-place concrete barriers. Specifically, the effects of a potentially higher water-cementitious materials ratio on the performance of the concrete in fresh and hardened states will be investigated, as well as methods of lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio to increase compliance with specifications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:55:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263680</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Recycling Portland Cement Concrete Pavements using Rubblization and Fractured Slab Techniques</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262773</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study will investigate the material properties of rubblized concrete under HMA layers for design purposes.  The project recently done on I-55 in Pike County, as well as the project yet to be done on I-59 in Forrest and Jones Counties, will be used for the research on rubblization.  A break-and-seat project is to be done on I-55 in Tate County, which will be investigated as part of this study.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:01:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262773</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bio-waste Materials as Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Coastal Concrete Applications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259932</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the U.S., coal fly ash is by far the most used supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Despite being used every day, the supply of coal fly ash in the U.S. has become a matter of concern because we are blending different coals that produce less amount of Class F fly ash – a type of fly ash that is preferred by the concrete industry. Therefore, it is critical to identify and evaluate alternative SCMs that can offer concrete equivalent or better strength and durability characteristics to Class F fly ash. This is especially critical in coastal areas where concrete durability remains a challenge. One area that is being overlooked by the concrete industry for alternative SCMs is bio-waste materials, which include agricultural waste, eggshells, burnt oyster shell, etc. In this project, the feasibility of using two bio-waste materials, sugarcane bagasse ashes and ground waste eggshells, as alternative SCMs in portland cement concrete for coastal applications is investigated. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:07:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259932</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2317 Effectiveness of Magnesuim-Alumino-Liquid-Phosphate-Based concrete as a Repair Material (MALP)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083660</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose and goals of this research is to address the corrosion performance of conventional reinforcing steel in uncracked and cracked Magnesuim-Alumino-Liquid-Phosphate-Based (MALP) concrete in simulated repairs of Portland cement of both high and low quality. Reinforcing bars will be evaluated in both a clean and passive state and in an activity corroding state. The project will evaluate the ability of MALP concrete to withstand freeze-thaw cycles both as an individual material and in conjunction with Portland cement concrete.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:23:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083660</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Update State Study No. 170 Deliverables with New PCC Test Data Revised final report for SS No. 170, “AASHTO 2002 Pavement Design Guide-Phase II” – Volume 1</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883838</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research study was to develop performance characteristics of flexible and rigid pavements in Mississippi and to use these characteristics in the implementation of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design procedure that was developed under NCHRP Project 1-37A. Reliable transfer functions and models will enable the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to more accurately quantify the pavement service and performance life for managing their roadway network. 

Calibration coefficients for all transfer functions in the Pavement ME Design software package were determined for both flexible and rigid pavements. Both Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) and non-LTPP test sections were used to estimate, for interim use, the local calibration coefficients. The inputs for the non-LTPP calibration sites were based on as-built records and construction files. Thus, these calibration coefficients are considered preliminary until the field investigations have been completed for the non-LTPP sites.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:12:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883838</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Permeability Reduction of Restrained Concrete in a
Chloride-Rich Environment – Phase I
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883835</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is currently requiring that permeability reducing admixtures be included in concrete mixtures used for bridge deck overlays through Special Provision No. 907-804-1 in an effort to improve the long-term performance of bridges. These admixtures are also included in section 713.02.4 of the 2017 edition of “Mississippi Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction” where these materials are referenced as “waterproofing admixtures.” Hydrostatic permeability reducing admixtures (PRAHs) typically contain hydrophilic crystalline materials that react with water and byproducts of hydration to form non-water-soluble deposits that reportedly seal pores, capillary tracts, and hairline cracks in hardened concrete. This makes hardened concrete less permeable and more resistant to ingress of chloride ions that corrode reinforcing steel and create costly repairs. This study evaluates two hydrostatic permeability reducing admixtures for their effectiveness in reducing permeability and sealing hairline cracks in hardened concrete. Three concrete mixtures were evaluated including one with no permeability reducing admixture (control mixture) and two mixtures each using a hydrostatic permeability reducing admixture. Hardened concrete properties used in this evaluation included; compressive strength, rapid chloride permeability, surface resistivity, cracking tendency, and chloride ion content. While all data developed for this study did not ascertain the benefit of the current practice of requiring permeability reducing admixtures in portland cement concrete for bridge deck overlays, one product did reduce chloride ion intrusion through hairline cracks when compared to the control mixture]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:01:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883835</guid>
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