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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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      <title>SPR-5027: Evaluation of Recycled Concrete Pavement (RCP) for Base and Subbase Layers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698666</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research will evaluate the feasibility, performance, and cost-effectiveness of incorporating recycled concrete pavement (RCP) into pavement base and subbase layers and subgrade replacement. The study will focus on mechanical, hydraulic, and durability characteristics of RCP gradations, fines control strategies, and field validation, aiming to provide practical implementation guidelines for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pavement design framework. Further, the study will explore the viability of blending RCP with local fine-grained soils (such as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) A-7-6 as a strategy to mitigate calcium leaching and reduce the risk of tufa formation, while maintain adequate drainage performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 15:26:33 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Evaluation of Processes Glass Aggregate for Utilization in Transportation Projects as a Sand Borrow (2.12)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875943</link>
      <description><![CDATA[“Sand borrow” is a sand-like material most commonly used as a subbase under pavements. To provide good drainage and protect the pavement from frost heaves, the sand borrow material is required to have a low content of small particles. Sources of sand borrow material however are diminishing. Processed glass aggregate (PGA), produced from recycled glass, has a high potential to be used as a substitute for sand borrow. The current specifications in our region however prevent widespread use of PGA because of lack of reliable methods to determine deleterious materials (e.g. plastic, paper) in PGA and how it impacts PGA’s engineering performance. The overarching goal of this project is therefore to catalyze the use of PGA as a substitute for increasingly scarce sand borrow material in transportation projects in Vermont, in New England, and beyond. The project not only alleviates the scarcity of these high quality construction materials faced by transportation projects, but also promotes sustainability by reducing the consumption of natural resources, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing waste going to landfills, a win-win for transportation sector and solid waste facilities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2022 11:49:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875943</guid>
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      <title>Reclaimed Stabilized Base – Stabilizing Agent Selection &amp; Design</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1663535</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Reclaimed stabilized base (RSB) is a common technique utilized to rehabilitate roadways (e.g. NCHRP 144 Report, 2009; NCHRP 421 report, 2011). RSB involves reclaiming the base material and adding a stabilizing agent (e.g. cement, lime, calcium chloride, emulsion, foamed asphalt) to increase the strength and durability of the subbase structure. In this project, the research team plans to investigate the suitability of the various stabilizing agents for common subbase materials encountered in Vermont roadways and develop a process for VTrans to determine the applicability of RSB for a project, and the appropriate types and percentages of stabilizing agents. The team plans to investigate the performance of the stabilized sub-base materials in winter conditions, including ice lens formation and stiffness as well as long-term (multiple-year equivalents) freeze-thaw implication for durability through accelerated cold room testing. The outcomes of this research will assist VTrans in the scoping phase of the projects to determine applicability of RSB, and in the design and construction phases with guidance on appropriate stabilizing agents, and installation parameters, respectively.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2019 09:50:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1663535</guid>
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      <title>Soil-Recycled Aggregate-Geopolymer Road Base/Subbase Mixtures - Step Towards Sustainability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1505427</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The proposed study focuses on the development and evaluation of sustainable Soil-Recycled Aggregate-Geopolymer (Soil-RAG-GP) mixtures for road base and subbase layers. In order to develop Soil-RAG-GP stabilized road base materials, various types of Class F fly ash, soil types, and activation agents (such as sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate) will be tested. The mechanical characteristics of the Soil-RAG-GP mixtures depend on various mix constituents, as well as the curing period and temperatures. Based on various combinations of variables, a statistical-based partial factorial experimental design will be developed to minimize mechanical testing. Unconfined Compressive strength, elastic and dynamic modulus, flexural, durability and shrinkage characteristics will be evaluated using standard test procedures.  In addition to mechanical testing, oxide analyses and SEM micrographs will also be studied to understand the basic morphology and microstructure of Soil-RAG-GP to investigate the extent of Geopolymer reactions and strength gain mechanism with time. The mixes will be cured at various temperatures before testing. The strength and modulus tests results will be compiled, and preliminary statistical model will be developed to relate the strength with mix variables. The model will assist in sensitivity analysis of variables and determine the optimum/practical mix design parameters to be used in base/subbase layers. The developed “green” Geopolymer-based soil base/subbase materials will exhibit durability, high performance, and environment-friendly, and sustainability characteristics.  
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2018 16:47:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1505427</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Using Electrical Density Gauges for Field Compaction Control</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229828</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the United States, the current state of practice for quality control of soil compaction is based upon measurements of soil density and soil moisture content at the time of compaction. The current approach that is used in the State of Delaware compares measurement of in situ soil density and moisture content with measurements of soil density and moisture content obtained from a standard-energy compaction test approach (1-Point Proctor Compaction). Measurement of in situ soil density and moisture content are typically obtained via measurements from Nuclear Density Gauges (NDGs). NDG test equipment uses a nuclear-based approach to obtain radioactive counts that are correlated to soil densities and moistures. The results of NDG test exhibit significant scatter when compared to previous in-situ density test standards (e.g. sand cone tests, "water balloon" tests, etc). Nonetheless this equipment has become the accepted industry standard for quality control of soil compaction, because tests are much faster and easier to perform than other density-based quality control tests. In addition to inherent inaccuracies with NDG test results, there are significant regulatory compliance issues that are present when dealing with NDG test equipment. The NDG itself contains radioactive material, which is heavily regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Council. This regulation necessitates strict protection standards for employees working with this equipment (mandatory day-long training for all staff using the equipment, mandatory use and monitoring of nuclear dosimeter badges, significant security procedures related to storage of nuclear material/equipment, in-house Nuclear Compliance Regulatory officers, etc). Particularly for large-scale NDG operations, such as those at the DOT, these nuclear regulatory issues can present a significant obstacle to smooth day-to-day operations, and compliance can be difficult. New equipment that uses an electrically-based approach for measuring in situ soil density and moisture content has recently become available. This Electrical Density Gauge (EDG) equipment does not contain any nuclear material, and consequently does not have the same regulatory obstacles that are present with NDG. Additionally, this equipment may allow for more accurate measurements of in situ density and moisture content than those that are currently being made with the NDG (the accuracy of this equipment as compared to NDG is currently unknown). Electrical density gauges have the potential to replace nuclear density gauges for field evaluation of in situ soil density and moisture. Consequently, a study of the accuracy and effectiveness of the Electrical Density Gauge for compaction control of Delaware soils is needed. The program of research proposed will provide the necessary information to assess the benefits of this technology for the DOT.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:49:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229828</guid>
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