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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJzdWJqZWN0aWQiIHZhbHVlPSIxNzg5IiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSI3MzAiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnMgLz48cmFuZ2VzIC8+PHNvcnRzPjxzb3J0IGZpZWxkPSJwdWJsaXNoZWQiIG9yZGVyPSJkZXNjIiAvPjwvc29ydHM+PHBlcnNpc3RzPjxwZXJzaXN0IG5hbWU9InJhbmdldHlwZSIgdmFsdWU9InB1Ymxpc2hlZGRhdGUiIC8+PC9wZXJzaXN0cz48L3NlYXJjaD4=" 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>Quantifying Impact of Soil Strength Degradation on Long-term Slope Stability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703925</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Soil slopes are integral to embankments, levees, bridge abutments, and natural terrain, and form a vital component of transportation infrastructure, highways, railways, and waterways. Soil strength degrades gradually with time due to unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., water saturation, wet-dry cycles, freeze-thaw cycles, erosion, and chemical/biological degradation). Soil strength degradation increases chances of slope failures, which will pose significant safety risks to both human and transportation infrastructure. The primary objective of this project is to produce actionable procedures that facilitate the assessment of soil strength degradation tailored to unfavorable environmental conditions, quantify the impact of soil strength degradation on long-term slope stability, and provide informed decision-making procedures for slope safety and economics. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of literature and findings from related projects including the ongoing 
Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC) project at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). This project will evaluate the soil strength degradation models for different fill materials and their interactions with reinforcement and chemical binders under unfavorable environmental conditions considering the key influence factors. Utilizing numerical software, this project will assess the performance of soil slopes with different fill materials and mitigation methods changing with time by considering soil strength degradation under unfavorable environmental conditions. This project will also perform Life Cycle Cost Analysis to assess all costs incurred during the life of a project, such as initial design, construction, maintenance, repair, and re-construction with different fill materials and construction/mitigation methods.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 13:42:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703925</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Feasibility Study of Zinc Diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDC) Modified Asphalt Mixture for Enhanced Safety through Improved Aging Resistance in Asphalt Pavement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703922</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pavement surface distresses directly affect ride comfort and indirectly cause distraction to the driver resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, which may lead to injuries or deaths. Thermo-oxidative aging of asphalt binder is a key driver of asphalt pavement performance deterioration and distress development, which directly affect ride quality. As a result, mitigating asphalt aging is essential for maintaining pavement performance and ensuring roadway safety. Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDC), an emerging antioxidant, has shown stronger anti-aging effectiveness than many conventional antioxidants. However, existing studies have primarily focused on binder-level and mixture-level, while its impact on pavement structural performance remains unclear. This leads to a gap in that the effectiveness of ZDC has not yet been validated in terms of its ultimate objective — improving pavement structural performance and safety. The objective of this proposed study is to address this gap by linking laboratory aging characterization of ZDC-modified materials with pavement performance prediction. Comprehensive laboratory testing will be conducted to characterize the aging resistance and mechanical properties of ZDC-modified materials and to provide the required inputs for pavement performance prediction. The pavement structural analysis tool, FlexPAVE, which integrates the recently developed pavement aging model (PAM) and distress prediction models, will be used to predict pavement performance while explicitly incorporating aging mechanisms. ZDC-modified pavement structures will be simulated under representative U.S. climate zones to evaluate the effectiveness of ZDC under diverse environmental conditions, considering that aging rates and dominant distress modes may change with climate patterns. The results will offer insight into the practical use of ZDC for improving pavement performance and safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 13:37:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703922</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Construction &amp; Early Performance of Rapid Strength Cement Concrete Mixture in MnROAD Test Cell 2437</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703791</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study evaluates the construction and early performance of a concrete mixture enriched with Alite (C₃S) and Belite (C₂S) placed in MnROAD Test Cell 2437. The innovative concrete mixture aims to combine rapid early strength gain (due to alite) with improved long-term strength and durability (due to belite). A 36 ft by 12 ft test section was constructed on November 22, 2024, when the ambient temperature was approximately 35°F. The test cell was instrumented with vibrating wire strain gauges, thermistors, and maturity sensors to monitor strength development and performance. Initial laboratory results demonstrated high early compressive strength exceeding control mixtures, followed by an unexpected decline, suggesting incomplete hydration potentially influenced by early freezing conditions. Flexural strength values remained lower than control mixtures, prompting petrographic analyses to further investigate internal structural integrity and hydration completeness.

Petrographic analysis revealed some microcracking, typical of accelerated strength gain but no sign of frost damage in spite of the low temperatures proceeding the paving. The material also passed the durability ASTM C666 test. Petrographic analysis revealed Alite-induced micro-cracking dispersed within the matrix and filled with ettringite. This suggested that due to low temperatures, belites were not secondarily deployed. Material was found to be constructible in spite of the anomalous thixotropic tendency it exhibited in transforming from a very mobile and workable mix quickly to a stiff mix within the period of placement and finishing. That feature was associated with early strength gain.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 16:40:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703791</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Friction Characterization/Classification of Maryland Asphalt Mixes using
Dynamic Friction Testing and Three Wheel Polishing Machine</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701240</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Road surface friction characteristics are very important to determine safety of commuters while they apply brakes. More than 20% of accidents happen due to low friction value of road surface. This is a public safety issue, which needs to be addressed. SHA OMT has been collecting Dynamic Friction Testing (DFT) data on virgin aggregates used in asphalt mixes for the last three decades and predicting weighted average of DF (micro texture) value of asphalt mixes based on used sources of aggregates in the asphalt mixes. The prediction of DF value of asphalt mixes is not as accurate as the direct measurement of DF value on the actual asphalt mix. No equipment was available in the market to make 20in by 20in asphalt slab in the past, but now new equipment is available in the market to do so. We can make asphalt slabs in the lab and directly perform DF testing on these slabs to obtain the true friction performance of asphalt mixes. Based on DFV, the asphalt mixes can be classified as high, standard and low friction mixes. The pavement designer can choose mixes per need of road surface and accidents due to low road friction will be reduced.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 09:27:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701240</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of Stainless-Steel Bridge Bearings for Steel Girder Bridges</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701238</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Corrosion protection and prevention is a challenge for the steel bridges, especially in highly corrosive bridge environments, such as marine environment or locations with frequent exposure to deicing salts. Maintenance of steel bridge bearings is a large yearly expense for the Office of Structures in the Maryland Department of Transport State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). Bridge bearings are the support system for the bridge girders and accommodate movements of the bridge beams and deck resulting from loading and thermal expansion/contraction. When a bearing is not functioning properly, the impacts range from mild to severe depending on the situation.
On the less extreme side, poorly functioning bearing results in additional stresses to the bridge, which over time compound to other issues such as cracking/spalling to the substructure units, etc. further deteriorating the bridge. In severe cases, it has resulted in cracks in the steel girder resulting in immediate closure of a structure and emergency repairs. On movable bridges it has resulted in the bridge getting stuck in an open position resulting in closure to the roadway until repairs could be made. The main culprit to the deterioration of the bearings is water resulting in rusting of the bearings. Fixing of the bearings is extremely costly because it requires jacking of the bridge to remove and
replace the impacted bearing. These reported issues raise the life cycle cost of bridge bearings. One solution to reduce the maintenance costs associated with corrosion is the use of a more corrosion-resistant steel, such as stainless steel. The use of stainless steel does not require protective coatings because chromium and the rest of the alloying elements develop a passive layer on the steel surface to protect it from atmospheric corrosion. ASTM A709 Grade 50CR (previously known as ASTM A1010), is a structural steel developed to address the corrosion issues associated with the use of traditional steels. Stainless steel bridge bearings have been installed at the Gawler River Rail Bridge near Adelaide in southern Australia. While structural bearings of stainless steel are generally more expensive than carbon steel alternatives, their use may substantially reduce life cycle costs by minimizing the need to replace them as a result of a longer service life – especially when indirect costs such as traffic management and traffic disruption are considered. A1010 stainless steel has been used for primary members in six vehicular bridges in the US [5]. In 2017, Virginia DOT completed a A1010 bridge, in which stainless steel were used for all primary and secondary members and fasteners. Duracorr stainless steel (current ASTM designation ASTM 709 Grade 50CR) is a low-cost, 12% chromium, stainless steel manufactured in the United States by ArcelorMittal USA. However, ASTM A1010 steel was developed with a low chromium-content (12% Cr) for highway bridge primary structural members to control the cost arising from large material volume use while maintaining satisfactory strength and impact toughness. Therefore, A1010 is not corrosion free and may corrode where high time-of-wetness and/or elevated chloride contents are present. Due to the relatively small volume of stainless steel consumed by bridge bearings, opting for a more costly stainless steel with elevated chromium-nickel content and higher corrosion resistance may prove more beneficial. This approach aligns with the objectives of extending service life and eliminating the need for maintenance. This study will address the question raised by the MDOT SHA Office of Structures on whether it is viable option to replace the standard metal bearings with stainless steel and eliminate any possibility of rusting. If the project's research survey results and literature search findings confirm this, a future shift to stainless steel bearings will eliminate maintenance and replacement works associated with rusted bridge bearing, potentially substantially reducing the life-cycle cost of bridge bearings. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 09:16:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701238</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <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>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698666</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effects of Target Air Voids on Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Performance Tests</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698280</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To test the performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) uses volumetrics testing, which tests the air void content and voids in mineral aggregate in compacted samples, followed by balanced mix design — which uses performance tests to evaluate pavement distresses. This project aims to identify if compacted HMA specimens that are currently discarded after volumetric testing can be used in performance tests. Researchers will test volumetric specimens at 4% and 7% air void content in cracking and rutting performance tests and identify if an alternate rutting test can be used in production. Successfully using compacted volumetric specimens for performance testing may reduce the time needed to identify if an HMA mixture meets IDOT performance test criteria at the start of production.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 09:19:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698280</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Determination of Test Methods to Quantify the Effects of Organic and Inorganic Constituents in Silica Sand Used for Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698276</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Quality control of sand and fine aggregate is of paramount importance to ensure the structural adequacy, long-term durability and sustainability of structures owned by the 
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). To ensure the organic components within sand do not exceed minimum threshold values, an evaluation of the materials as well as the test methods themselves will be performed as part of this research project. The results from the research project BEB28 suggest that there is a good correlation between the results obtained from the Modified Walkley Black (MWB) method and elemental analysis via combustion (EA) method. The two methods yield similar or consistent measurements of organic carbon content in soil samples. Such correlation is valuable because it indicates that both methods can be used interchangeably or in conjunction to assess soil organic carbon levels. This correlation strengthens the reliability and applicability of both techniques in soil research and management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 07:34:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698276</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development and Optimization of Biochar-Infused Self-Heating Concrete for Bridge Deck Deicing, Strength, and Service Life</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696157</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ongoing advances in the understanding of the chemistry and physics of infrastructure materials are making it possible to endow concrete with functional properties that include electrical conductivity, active thermal management, and charge storage. In this proposal, the research team will exploit these advances to engineer concrete bridge deck materials that can be heated in cold weather to eliminate or prevent ice formation. This functional behavior will be produced by infusing the material with moderate doses of biochar, a nanoporous and electrically conductive additive that will enable the material to conduct electricity and thereby raise the material’s temperature by Joule heating. The advent of electrically conductive concrete (ECC) will greatly reduce or eliminate the need for deicing salts in cold weather, the latter which interferes with traffic patterns when applied and shortens the service life of bridge decks by salt scaling mechanisms. In addition, the formulations will be optimized for ideal self-heating and maximum possible compressive strength.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:56:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696157</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Hollow-Core UHPC-Steel Columns with UHPC Socketed Connection
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696153</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Limited techniques are available to accelerate construction of bridge substructures. Previous research was conducted by the research team on innovative hollow-core FRP-concrete-steel (HC-FCS) bridge columns consisting of an ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) or self-consolidating concrete (SCC) core sandwiched between an outer fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tube and an inner steel tube. The results of these previous projects indicated the proposed column design had significant potential, but lingering questions remained about the possibility of eliminating the FRP outer shell and relying on UHPC to provide required confinement of the steel tube and durability of the overall column. The proposed project will build on the results of the previously funded projects on HC-FCS columns sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and ABC-UTC to extend to UHPC-steel (HC-US) columns and to examine unanswered questions relative to column composition, UHPC thickness, and column-footing connection. The project will consist of experimental testing of four approximately half-scale column and footing specimens with variation in steel wall thickness and column to footing connection type. Results from the proposed research will provide an improved basis for comparison with completed finite element modeling and for subsequent design guidelines, thereby increasing the likelihood of implementation. The final report will include a section with guidance for design and construction of the proposed HC-US columns. These guidelines will include equations to determine steel thickness, UHPC thickness, footing and girder embedment depths, and nominal flexural and shear strengths of HC-US columns.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:42:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696153</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dynamic Behavior of Repairable and Constructible Precast Bridge Columns
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696149</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Columns are usually the weak links in conventional bridges for seismic design. In current seismic codes, bridge collapse is prevented under rare earthquakes by providing large ductility, but damage of ductile elements including columns is allowed. Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are widely used in seismic regions of the US due to their controlled ductility through confinement and enhanced durability. Damage of RC columns under moderate earthquakes includes cracking, reinforcement yielding, and major spalling. Nevertheless, significant damage is expected under strong earthquakes, which may result in the bridge closure for repair or total replacement. Even though current practice is successful in attaining the no-collapse objective, a new design paradigm is emerging to minimize bridge column damage incorporating low- to no-damage materials and techniques. The benefit can be enhanced if the low-damage details are combined with precast techniques to further promote accelerated bridge construction (ABC). This proposal explores the seismic behavior of a new class of precast bridge columns that are repairable through component replacement. The project goals are achieved by developing new repairable and constructible precast column detailing, performing pre- and post-test analytical studies, large-scale shake-table testing of a top column model, and proposing design and construction recommendations for such columns. Outcomes include dynamic experimental data, design and construction recommendations, and dissemination through technical reports and journal publications. Repairable precast columns may further facilitate the implementation of ABC in high seismic regions of the nation due to their improved performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:35:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696149</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Performance Evaluation and Structural Optimization of Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Concrete (FRAC) for Pothole Repair and Roadway Resilience</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696034</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project investigates the engineering properties and field performance of Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Concrete (FRAC) specifically optimized for high-durability pothole repair and structural patching.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:33:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696034</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of Multifunctional Cementitious Composites with Tailored Pore Structures for Intelligent Infrastructure Applications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696035</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In this study, porous cement-based electrolytes with three-dimensional interconnected microporous structures will be prepared using a controllable foaming strategy. The foaming process will be tailored to adjust pore size, connectivity, and overall porosity, enabling systematic investigation of how microstructural parameters influence ionic transport and overall functional performance. Multiple formulations, incorporating different foaming agents and mix proportions, will be developed to identify mixtures that maintain adequate mechanical integrity while providing enhanced ion mobility and stable electrochemical behavior.
The resulting cementitious electrolytes will be comprehensively characterized using electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry to assess charge–discharge behavior and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to quantify ionic conductivity and interfacial resistance. These measures will be performed under varied curing conditions and testing environments to evaluate reproducibility and long-term stability. The data will correlate with microstructural observations (e.g., pore connectivity and distribution) and compressive strength results to establish quantitative relationships between pore architecture, mechanical performance, and electrochemical response. Through this approach, the project will define design guidelines for cement-based electrolytes that provide reliable functional properties suitable for integration into advanced, multifunctional civil infrastructure systems.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:31:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696035</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Nanoscale Wear Mechanics-driven Durable Tire Design</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696033</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall goal of this project is to establish a nanoscale, mechanics-based understanding of wear and fatigue processes that govern tire durability and service life, and to translate this understanding into design-relevant guidance for durable tire compound development. Tire durability and service life are governed by nanoscale mechanical damage processes that occur within tread compounds during repeated tire–road contact. These processes include crack initiation, viscoelastic fatigue, filler–polymer debonding, and localized energy dissipation. Conventional durability evaluations rely on bulk abrasion testing and full-scale wear trials, which provide performance rankings but do not resolve the mechanistic origins of material degradation. This project develops a mechanics-based approach to durable tire design by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a controlled nanoscale tribological tool to directly generate and measure wear under well-defined loading, shear, and temperature conditions. AFM enables direct observation and quantification of damage initiation at the scale where wear originates, allowing durability to be addressed at its physical root rather than through empirical correlation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:25:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2696033</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Corrosion Resistance of Using Very High Strength Steel Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Beams– An Experimental and Analytical Approach</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2694443</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project Description: Advancements in manufacturing methods and the growing demand for high-strength materials in reinforced concrete have led to the development of steel reinforcing bars with strengths exceeding 100 ksi. These ultra-high-strength bars hold significant promise for bridge construction, as they could extend feasible span lengths beyond those achievable with conventional reinforcement while still meeting strength and serviceability requirements. Their use can also reduce girder depth, leading to material savings and lower overall construction costs. However, successful implementation requires addressing key concerns regarding serviceability and durability. Critical factors include corrosion resistance, structural behavior, and ductility of beams reinforced with these high-strength bars. 
The primary objective of the proposed work is to investigate the durability (corrosion resistance) and serviceability of concrete girders reinforced with very high-strength reinforcement, by testing bond-slip relationship between corroded and non-corroded steel rebars and concrete. 12 medium-span (8 in x 12 in x 10 ft) concrete beams will be cast and tested for strength and ductility. Six of the 12 beams will be subjected to accelerated corrosion. Under controlled conditions, the research team will test the strength and ductility characteristics of the beams reinforced with these bars. 
By addressing the performance of very high-strength reinforcing bars in reinforced concrete girders and their behavior under corrosive conditions, this project advances the application of durable, next-generation materials for transportation infrastructure.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:10:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2694443</guid>
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