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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=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <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>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>Revolutionizing Coastal Infrastructure Durability with Pervious Concrete: A Cost-Effective, High-Performance Seawall</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696019</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project develops and validates a pervious concrete seawall system to reduce wave loads and mitigate scour-related degradation at lower cost and maintenance demand. The work integrates (i) high-fidelity finite element analysis for preliminary design, (ii) fabrication of pervious concrete with tuned porosity (15–35%) using durability-enhancing binders and engineered biochar, (iii) controlled wave flume experiments with instrumented specimens and backfill monitoring, and (iv) seawall design optimization accelerated by surrogate model and genetic algorithm.
To achieve the above mentioned integration, the research will proceed through a series of coordinated actions. First, the research team will build a high-fidelity finite element model, analyze the wave load in seawall, and achieve a preliminary design. Next, pervious concrete specimens with controlled porosity will be fabricated using the preliminary design and tested in a wave flume, which simulates real coastal conditions by generating programmable waves and measuring forces, displacements, and backfill scour behind the seawall. Finally, the team will apply a HyperNetwork, a neural architecture that dynamically generates predictive models, to estimate performance metrics such as energy dissipation and structural stability across different design configurations. The research team has rich experience in developing surrogate models for engineering applications and will complete building this HyperNetwork-based surrogate model in six months. This HyperNetwork will be used together with a genetic algorithm to search for Pareto-optimal designs that balance durability, hydraulic efficiency, and cost. This integrated approach ties together physical testing and advanced modeling to deliver practical, field-ready guidance with the objective of reducing wave-driven degradation and improving structural resilience in simple, cost-effective terms.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:44:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696019</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Seismic Analysis and Design of Retaining Walls, Buried Structures, Slopes, and Embankments</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2683238</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Final Report is organized into two volumes. Volume 1 is published  as NCHRP Report 611: Seismic Analysis and Design of Retaining Walls, Buried Structures, Slopes, and Embankments. Volume 2, which presents the proposed specifications, commentaries, and example problems for the retaining walls, slopes and embankments, and buried structures, is available for download only. The appendices to NCHRP Report 611 are available online.  The objective of NCHRP Project 12-70 was to remove the limitations of the current specifications through the development of analytical and design methods for the seismic design of retaining walls, buried structures, slopes, and embankments. This research was managed by Donald Anderson, CH2M HILL, Bellevue, Washington, with the assistance of Geoffrey Martin, University of Southern California; Po Lam, Earth Mechanics; and Joe Wang, Parson Brinckerhoff, New York. The report fully documents the program used to develop the design procedures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:22:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2683238</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Automating the Lateral Strength Assessment of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standard and Substandard Concrete Barriers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2655577</link>
      <description><![CDATA[One of the important outcomes of the KTRAN: KSU-21-6 project that concluded in May 2023 is the development of a closed form procedure to assess the ultimate lateral strength of sub-standard concrete barriers using a rigorous yield line analysis beyond the prediction capabilities of the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) procedure. This method was confirmed by a truss analogy approach and finite element analysis. The closed form equations developed in that project were tedious to carry out by hand or Excel and the establishment of a computer software is deemed to be the most efficient and useful tool to add to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KsDOT)’s assessment capabilities. The findings of the earlier study revealed the fact that the lateral ultimate strength of sub-standard barriers exceed the current strength classification of AASHTO standard barriers leaving the geometrical height of the sub-standard barrier as the only deficiency to overcome in order to make such barriers as good as the standard barriers in mitigating truck crashes. Accordingly, the PI’s are proposing to develop a software package that implements a rigorous yield line analysis procedure incorporating the material-specific properties (steel and concrete) in determining the lateral ultimate strength of barriers. The software will be equally applicable to standard and sub-standard barrier assessments. It is expected to yield a powerful tool that can optimize the strength design of any concrete barrier. This is expected to lead to improvements in both the geometry, concrete and reinforcement properties in realizing an optimum target design. It will also allow examining various types of barrier designs to make the best educated engineering decisions on implementing one type over the other as well as coming up with new designs. 

The specific three main research tasks include: 1) Developing the lateral ultimate strength assessment software for standard and sub-standard barriers; 2) Generalizing the input parameters to explore new barrier geometries; 3) Writing and submitting the final project report and the developed comprehensive software.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:25:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2655577</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Probabilistic rock mass quality prediction model and its application to tunneling design (UTI-UTC 31)
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543424</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project develops a probabilistic framework for predicting rock mass quality and integrating uncertainty into tunneling design. By applying statistical methods to geotechnical investigation data—such as rock quality designation (RQD), uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and joint spacing—the model estimates spatial variability and classifies ground conditions using the Q-system. Monte Carlo simulations are employed to generate rock mass quality distributions along tunnel alignments, which in turn inform support system selection and tunnel stability assessments. The research also includes sensitivity analyses to determine the influence of each geotechnical parameter on tunnel design decisions. The probabilistic approach enhances current deterministic design practices by quantifying risks, improving adaptability in challenging geological settings, and supporting more robust engineering decisions for underground infrastructure projects.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2025 17:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543424</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Establishing Design Loads, Load Combinations, and Structural Design Methodology for OCS Poles and Foundations

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2464331</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Overhead Contact System (OCS) is a foundational component of rail transit electrification, delivering power to vehicles via a suspended system of contact and messenger wires. These wires are supported by poles, cantilevers, portals, and related infrastructure that must meet rigorous structural demands under varying environmental, mechanical, and operational conditions.

Despite the widespread use of the OCS across U.S. transit systems, there is currently no nationally adopted structural design specification, standard, or code for OCS poles and foundations. Designers currently rely on a mix of partially applicable documents, including:
IEEE 1630-2012, IEEE Standard for Supporting Structures for Overhead Contact Systems for Transit Systems, which provides general structural support guidelines but lacks prescriptive design load definitions or serviceability criteria; ASCE 48, Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures, which offers useful structural insights but is not tailored to transit OCS systems; and IEEE C2-2023, 2023 National Electric Safety Code(R) (NESC(R)), which is commonly referenced for load calculations but primarily developed for electric utility transmission and distribution, not for rail OCS.

This fragmented approach leads to inconsistency across transit agencies and among engineering professionals in how structural design specifications, standards, or codes are interpreted and applied. The absence of consistent standards becomes even more critical as agencies pursue system expansions, high-speed rail corridors, and unconventional OCS configurations in constrained and urban environments.

Research is needed to develop a comprehensive structural design guide for OCS poles and foundations that consolidates best practices, defines consistent load and serviceability criteria, and establishes a framework for applying U.S. structural design specifications to OCS systems.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a structural design guide for OCS poles and foundations applicable across standard and nonstandard transit environments.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:33:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2464331</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Review and Recommend Updates to ACRP Airport Design and Construction Products</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2413899</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide independent, objective analysis and advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is one of seven program units within the National Academies. Under TRB, there are four Cooperative Research Programs, one of which is the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). Via applied research projects, ACRP generates products that address public-sector airport issues and support the development and operation of the U.S. airport industry.  

Recognizing the dynamic nature of the industry, a key goal of ACRP is to ensure the products continue to be relevant and are updated as needed. As ACRP matured and the library of products grew, the need for a systematic method for identifying the products with the greatest need for updating became apparent. To meet a key goal of the ACRP Strategic Plan, the ACRP oversight committee approved and funded the development of a systematic method to identify and prioritize research products in need of an update. A methodology
(https://www.nationalacademies.org/webdocs/acrp_product_update_review_methodology_may_2024/ACRP_Product_Update_Review_Methodology_May_2024.pdf?channelToken=b9515dcea9b44b1caeec286a25accf32&download=false&tStamp=1716321441525) for reviewing the products in each of the 10 research fields was developed in 2020 and has been refined.

The objective of this request for proposal (RFP) is to apply the methodology
(https://www.nationalacademies.org/webdocs/acrp_product_update_review_methodology_may_2024/ACRP_Product_Update_Review_Methodology_May_2024.pdf?channelToken=b9515dcea9b44b1caeec286a25accf32&download=false&tStamp=1716321441525) to review and recommend an initial set of products for updating within Research Field 7: Design and Research Field 8: Construction.

Interim deliverables should include (1) the initial draft of the research products spreadsheet by research field (see Step 2.1 in the Product Update Review Process Methodology); (2) a list of the industry stakeholder review group; and (3) any recommended changes to the methodology. 

The final deliverables will be a technical memo with recommendations for the products to be updated within Research Field 7: Design and Research Field 8: Construction. The memo should include, at minimum, a rationale for each recommendation and final prioritization, and an explanation of how the prioritization process was applied by research field. 

A research plan shall be provided as part of the proposal. If selected, the panel will provide comments on this research plan and an amplified research plan should be developed for review and approval by the panel. The research plan should also include checkpoints with the ACRP panel, including at a minimum (1) a kick-off web-enabled meeting to be held within 1 month of the Notice to Proceed; (2) a meeting following the delivery of the interim deliverables; and (3) an in-person final deliverable review meeting. The contractor will present the technical memo and incorporate final feedback from the panel into the final recommendations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Aug 2024 19:21:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2413899</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 56-20. Pavement Design and Evaluation of Low Volume Roads with Heavy Loads



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2384708</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Low volume road (LVR) networks function as the primary link to highway transportation systems as well as the connection of communities. The structural capacity of LVRs plays a vital role in providing competent, stable, and durable roads. While state departments of transportation (DOT's) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have invested significant resources on improving the structural design of high-volume pavements, the structural design of LVRs, particularly local access roads in rural areas, often goes overlooked. LVRs built following a template design or minimum local standards may be sufficient for passenger vehicles, but once LVRs are subjected to heavy traffic from agriculture, renewable and non-renewable energy development, or logging operations the structural capacity of LVRs is compromised and severe damage occurs. The damage from heavy loads can be further exacerbated by seasonal impacts such as spring thaw.

When designing pavements for LVRs, many LVR owners and managers follow the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design guide, which converts axle loads into equivalent single-axle loads (ESALs) by using load equivalency factors (LEFs). However, these design practices may not adequately account for heavy loads (i.e., overweight standard trucks and nonstandard axle-configurations) nor were they developed to provide designs for all types of LVRs. LVRs that experience a high percentage of heavy standard trucks and overweight non-standard traffic and commensurately high loads suffer rapid and premature road deterioration. Such failures are often attributed to overweight loads applied to a substandard road design.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this synthesis is to document current state DOT practice for the structural design and evaluation of paved and unimproved LVRs, particularly those exposed to heavy loads. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 May 2024 20:08:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2384708</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Digital Project Delivery: Integrating Design and Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381719</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In recent years, there has been an explosion of digital tools and practices to enhance how transportation agencies conduct business and deliver projects more collaboratively with partners. State departments of transportation (DOTs) are replacing paper and image-based workflows with more intelligent digital processes to tap the potential of digital information more fully for collaboration, productivity, and risk and quality management. Digital practices such as three-dimensional (3D)/four-dimensional (4D) modeling, e-Construction/e-Ticketing, and building information modeling (BIM) for infrastructure are improving project delivery by enabling more effective collaboration and seamless data exchange, reducing errors during handoffs. However, integration of these digital practices remains largely ad hoc, particularly in areas like risk evaluation and management for project delivery. Research is needed on the utilization of digital project delivery practices within the transportation sector, the benefits achieved, and how these practices can be adapted to meet state DOT needs.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for implementing digital delivery practices from design through construction of the transportation infrastructure life cycle.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 17:06:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381719</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fast and Efficient Welding Inspection of Structural Steel Using Adaptive Phased Array Ultrasonic NDT</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342179</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment towards a technical guideline and recommendations for fast and efficient ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) methodology and procedure for full inspection of welding and weldment in steel structures based on phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) technique. The study aims to provide information toward understanding the potential types of defects and flaws in weldment of steel structures, the significance of effect of flaws on quality of the welding and importance of their detection and assessment. The current ultrasonic NDT techniques will be evaluated for their performance in required welding inspection. Ultimately, the goal is to study the advanced PAUT technique as a potential NDT method for efficient and accurate welding inspection in steel structures for GDOT.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:16:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342179</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of Extreme Weather in Midwest on Highway Infrastructure Condition and Safety</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2341573</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Extreme weather events such as hurricane, flooding, and overheat are increasing in intensity and frequency under climate change in mid-west region. Extreme precipitation can lead to intensified and/or more frequent inundation, catastrophic or shorter-term losses in the structural integrity of the soil, a higher probability of complete washout of roadways or other hydraulic structures, and higher probabilities of landslides; meanwhile, extreme temperatures in the form of heatwaves can cause the pavement structure to deteriorate at a faster rate. Observations of real roadways during heatwaves also suggest that the heatwaves can result in multiple distresses such as blow-ups, stripping, bleeding, permanent deformations. As designing using historical records for the future may introduce analysis error because of those catastrophic weather events, this study will evaluate impact of the extreme weather events on the structural resilience and the safety of highway infrastructures in the Midwest using numerical simulations based on mechanistical analyses and multiple computational tools. The intended outcomes will include recommendations for refining or modifying current infrastructure design specifications and expansion of current asset management system considering the extreme weather events.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:01:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2341573</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Analysis of the Poplar Creek Box Culverts</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2313954</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to evaluate structural design of the precast concrete box culverts used on the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) construction project at Poplar Creek in Bristol District. With a maximum embankment height of 310 feet, it will be one of the deepest box culvert installations in the USA upon completion. Initially, VDOT considered a tall bridge for the mountainous region in southwest Virginia but a design change to box culverts was opted for based on the economic analysis. Significant uncertainties associated with the box culverts included the lack of generally accepted design guidelines stemming from limited practical knowledge of the actual soil stresses acting on buried structures under very high embankment fills. The proposed study is intended to address these specific knowledge gaps and develop recommendations for future VDOT designs of similar projects.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:32:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2313954</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Integrated Technology‐Based Design, Inspection, and Maintenance for More Resilient Bridges </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262774</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Efficient development and sustainable life‐cycle management of structural modeling and drawing plan information for bridge projects through all stages of design, construction, inspection, and maintenance.

Current responsibilities in the Bridge Division include pre‐construction structural design of new and replacement bridges operating on the state highway system as well as design review and in‐service inspection of bridges on the State Aid system.

Structural designs are projected to require frequent use of finite element modeling software featuring 3D geometry layout and complex engineering data needed to simulate load‐deformation response to loading and checks of performance relative to accepted professional practice criteria. It is desired to use the data from the structural model to facilitate project management from pre‐construction to as‐built to inspection and, as needed, maintenance operations.

Current design and drafting software do not yet offer a reliable, consistent, and streamlined capability to achieve this goal. Both conceptual and information technology aspects pose real obstacles in work flow that result in expensive duplication of effort and potential loss of key information valuable to both operational and emergency response plans.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 11:04:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262774</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Seismic Behavior of Hider Wing-Walls</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2190086</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research will develop tolls to determine the seismic demands experienced by abutment hider walls, develop design details and analysis methods for abutment hider walls that are compatible with the intended performance and develop recommendations for design. Deliverables and tasks in this project include: a literature review, quarterly reports, an interim and final report and technical advisory meetings as needed.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jun 2023 19:52:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2190086</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Load path redundancy as a protection measure - Phase 1</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2096578</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Load path redundancy has proved an effective design strategy to mitigate against disproportionate collapse when structural members are lost due to intentional extreme events. Numerical simulations were conducted and need validation before developing general guidance for stakeholders. Component level response is well understood, however, system response predictions depend on the accuracy of connection or joint modeling. Uncertainties still exist in this understanding and the degree of the fidelity of modelling required still needs quantifying.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2023 14:49:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2096578</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Durability of Modified Helical Piles Under Lateral and Torsional Loads: Embracing Efficient Alternatives to Support Lightweight Transportation Structures (C17.2020)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1876107</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Modified helical (i.e. screw) piles are lightweight deep foundation elements that are screwed into the ground and efficiently generate geotechnical compressive and uplift resistance by mobilizing the shear strength of soil adjacent to helical plates that are welded to an extendable shaft. The addition of a novel collar vane increases the lateral and torsional resistance of this deep foundation element. Helical piles (HPs) are quick and simple to install, utilizing nonspecialized equipment that is ubiquitous in the United States construction industry, eliminating the need for a specialty contractor. Relative to conventional deep foundation alternatives, HP installation is relatively non-intrusive, less cumbersome, and appreciably less expensive. Lightweight transportation structures are often supported on costly conventional foundation systems that have only been advanced incrementally for decades. Savings that could arise from efficient design of these lightweight facilities may be applied elsewhere as available funding for transportation infrastructure continues to diminish. Moreover, these benefits may not be isolated to new lightweight transportation infrastructure, and benefits from this research may extend to other applications, including retrofits and upgrades to increase the capacity and extend the life of existing foundations required to support new or augmented structures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jul 2022 15:50:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1876107</guid>
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