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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>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Ultrasonic Inspection of Reconditioned Railroad Bearing Components – Year 3</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2574196</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Freight rail bearings are often subjected to heavy loads such that the performance of each bearing plays a crucial role in the safe operation of the entire train. Even bearings that are properly maintained may still fail due to rolling contact fatigue (RCF) if local regions within the bearing race do not meet established effective case depth (ECD) standards. In addition, little is known about potential changes that may occur within the highest stress region after extensive service life. Ultrasonic grain scattering shows sensitivity to both microstructure and residual stresses such that nondestructive measurement methods based on diffuse ultrasonic backscatter have shown a high correlation with the overall status of the raceway. Results from the first year showed clear differences between new and reconditioned bearing cups in terms of their ultrasonic signatures. This work will be expanded to include spatial maps of raceways to identify locations that are outside the statistical bounds expected for a given part. Those locations will be identified and those parts will be tested in simulated service life testing at UTRGV for comparison with the predictions. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:01:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2574196</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ultrasonic Inspection of Reconditioned Railroad Bearing Components – Year 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2405275</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Freight rail bearings are often subjected to heavy loads such that the performance of each bearing plays a crucial role in the safe operation of the entire train. Even bearings that are properly maintained may still fail due to rolling contact fatigue (RCF) if local regions within the bearing race do not meet established effective case depth (ECD) standards. In addition, little is known about potential changes that may occur within the highest stress region after extensive service life. Ultrasonic grain scattering shows sensitivity to both microstructure and residual stresses such that nondestructive measurement methods based on diffuse ultrasonic backscatter have shown a high correlation with the overall status of the raceway. Previous research has shown clear differences between new and reconditioned bearing cups in terms of their ultrasonic signatures. That work will be expanded to include spatial maps of raceways to identify locations that are outside the statistical bounds expected for a given part. Those locations will be identified, and those parts will be tested in simulated service life testing at University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for comparison with the predictions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:09:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2405275</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>Inversion of poro-elastic sound propagation model and measurement to monitor both rebar corrosion and crack formation using high frequency ultrasonics and contact transducers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232155</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this project is to demonstrate the ability to detect early appearance of cracks in reinforced concrete due to rebar corrosion, using ultrasonic nondestructive acoustic testing with no direct contact between the sensor and the concrete block, in conjunction with a poro-elastic ultrasound propagation model.  The objectives are threefold: (1) Identify the proper measurement configuration and predict the performance, using the modeling of the ultrasound propagation in the reinforced concrete; (2) Perform a series of targeted measurements using the proper ultrasonic transducers on a set of existing reinforced concrete samples placed in partial or complete immersion; (3) Evaluate the degree of corrosion within the reinforced concrete with confidence levels according to the poro-elastic model, and correlate the results with those obtained (separately from this proposal) using traditional non-invasive techniques (e.g. corrosion current and corrosion potential measurements).  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2023 20:02:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232155</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Nondestructive Diagnosis and Probabilistic Prognosis of Aging Plastic Pipe</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2085765</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The project will: (1) evaluate degradation of in-situ plastic pipe using nonlinear ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method, (2) demonstrate correlation between nonlinear ultrasonic parameters with stress cracking resistance (SCR) of materials, and (3) improve the probabilistic decision model by reducing uncertainties in material properties.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2022 14:15:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2085765</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modeling and Measurement of Rebar Corrosion on Crack Formation Using High Frequency Ultrasonics in Three Dimensions and with No Contact with The Sample</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1742792</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this project is to demonstrate the ability to detect early appearance of cracks in reinforced concrete due to rebar corrosion, using ultrasonic nondestructive acoustic testing with no direct contact between the sensor and the concrete block, in conjunction with a poro-elastic ultrasound propagation model.  The objectives are threefold: (1) Identify the proper measurement configuration and predict the performance, using the modeling of the ultrasound propagation in the reinforced concrete; (2) Perform a series of targeted measurements using the proper ultrasonic transducers on a set of existing reinforced concrete samples placed in partial or complete immersion; (3) Evaluate the degree of corrosion within the reinforced concrete with confidence levels according to the poro-elastic model, and correlate the results with those obtained (separately from this proposal) using traditional non-invasive techniques (e.g. corrosion current and corrosion potential measurements).

The proposed poro-elastic model ties the physical properties of the porous medium (such as porosity, mean grain diameter, mass density, bulk modulus, shear modulus) to the sound propagation through the porous medium.  It can also handle gradual changes of the physical characteristics of the medium and produce a synthetic response to a broadband acoustic impulse.  This technique is very relevant in the material observed around the corroding bar.

This research would be the foundation for a more detailed acoustic analysis of rebar corrosion detection in reinforced concrete pilings/columns out in the field.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:52:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1742792</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Phased Array Probability of Detection Study - Phase IV (FOR NDE LAB)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1512647</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently relying on radiographic testing (RT) for acceptance/rejection of groove and full penetration welds causing delays during fabrication. Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) should be able to accomplish the same with little delay. There is a need to develop acceptance criteria for PAUT for weld inspection]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2018 15:34:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1512647</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Novel Integrated Nondestructive Testing Methodology for Detection and Evaluation of Corrosion in Cement-Based Materials</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1314838</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The integration of thermography/infrared (IR) and ultrasonic test (UT) methods has been successfully demonstrated by others. By vibrating a material via UT, heat is generated at the location of flaws. Subsequently, this heat is imaged using an IR camera. The work proposed here suggests a similar yet unique approach through the integration of microwave methods with IR/thermography, an established nondestructive testing (NDT) technique. The combination of microwave and IR NDT may offer a substantial improvement to traditional thermographic techniques. First, microwaves can be used to selectively and locally heat an area of interest, as opposed to heating the entire sample (and risking heat damage). Furthermore, thermography has an issue with speed, as heat transfer can be quite slow. Using microwaves to selectively heat a localized area will improve the speed of the method by 50%, as microwave heating is instantaneous. Preliminary results have shown the combination of microwave and IR methods as a promising technique for detection of surface cracks and corrosion in metals. This project will build upon these preliminary results to development a new technique to detect and evaluate the presence of corrosion in cement-based materials, which is of critical importance to the nation's transportation infrastructure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2014 01:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1314838</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Nondestructive Evaluation Technologies for Bridge Inspection</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1256993</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this research program in Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) is to improve the safety and reliability of bridges.  The results of this research will enhance the safety of the transportation infrastructure by providing better tools for the safety condition assessment of bridges during fabrication, inspection and repair.  The research will also enhance the state of good repair by developing technologies for detecting deterioration in its embryonic stages, when maintenance and preservation strategies can be implemented to ensure the state of good repair.  The benefit is better, safer and longer lasting steel and concrete bridges and related structures. Two promising areas of research will be carried forward during this research: (1) developing phase array ultrasonic testing for steel fabrication; and (2) improving the quality control process for steel fabrication to improve the reliability, safety and quality of welded constructions.  Ultrasonic Measurement of In-Situ Stress Levels in Gusset Plates Measure the actual in-situ stress levels in the gusset plates to ensure structural safety.   This experimental research will explore that application of these technologies for practical applications for bridge condition assessment.  The research will also make a strong contribution to the education and training of students in the important arena of inspection and condition assessment of the civil infrastructure, where current curriculum is lacking.  These technologies can make significant improvements in the ability of engineers and inspectors to assess the condition of bridges to improve highway safety and ensure the state of good repair.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jul 2013 01:01:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1256993</guid>
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