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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
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    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Bracing for Impact: Developing Steel-Concrete Sandwich Panel Retrofits for Increased Bridge Pier Protection</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499034</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project will address retrofits for piers in and around shipping channels. Bridge pier stability is integral for the continued operation of shipping channels after a vessel-pier collision occurs. Without sufficient pier protection systems, when vessel collisions occur, bridge damage can limit traffic over the bridge and through the waterway below, causing both travel and economic disruption. A novel steel-concrete composite system will be investigated for reducing the collapse potential of vulnerable bridge piers (essentially developing bridge life-preservers). The proposed strengthening method provides an alternative construction approach by installing the system directly onto bridge piers in lieu of constructing more robust barrier type systems. Additionally, the proposed barrier employs energy dissipative mechanisms along with a new structural system (steel- plate composite sandwich panels) that has been recently investigated for use in building applications. The project contains two integrated research components: 1) detailed finite element analysis of retrofit pier details and 2) impact testing of retrofit details. Outcomes of this project include a direct-to-pier retrofit strategy, ultimately improving waterway infrastructure reliability. Additionally, novel impact data for sandwich panels will be generated and engineering graduate students will receive advanced research training providing knowledge transfer to industry upon student graduation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:03:45 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Effects of Moisture Diffusion in Sandwich Composites</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1532645</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2018 10:45:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1532645</guid>
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      <title>Development and Evaluation of Fracture Mechanics Test Methods for Sandwich Composites</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1532107</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2018 09:16:11 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Functionally Graded Biomimetic Energy Absorption Concept Development for Transportation Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1301295</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study shows how many lessons can be learned from a study of biological systems that are applicable to engineering applications. The proposed research applies the observations from the study of tendon-to-bone insertion site conducted by PI with his colleagues at the School of Medicine at Washington University to a development of a robust and resilient functionally graded cylindrical sandwich shock absorber. The concept utilizes concentric foam shells of variable mass density constrained within a stiffer outer shell that reduces radial deformations of the assembly under axial shock. As was demonstrated for both biological tissues (e.g., the tendon-to-bone insertion site) and for engineering materials (metals, ceramics, composites), a lower stiffness material possesses a higher resilience and toughness. In the considered concept, the project maximizes the energy dissipation of the assembly by grading the foam shells utilizing variable mass density (and accordingly, variable stiffness and strength) of foam. The energy absorption is maximized, while maintaining the prescribed deformation as well as the necessary strength of the system.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2014 01:01:31 GMT</pubDate>
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