Advancing Durability in Transportation Infrastructure through Practical Implementation of Thermal Prestressing

During this industry partnership project, Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center (TRANS-IPIC) researchers will collaborate with industry experts to investigate the implementation of a new technology for prestressing concrete elements used in transportation infrastructure through the heating of shape memory alloy (SMA) bars. The research team will explore the idea of prestressing transportation precast components such as columns, beams, railroad ties, bridge decks, pavement, etc. to eliminate cracking and improve their durability and resilience. This concept has been tested on a small laboratory scale. It is yet to be tested and implemented practically on a large scale. The team will investigate the application of electrical resistivity to induce internal self-stressing in critical infrastructure components. The team will also explore the possibility of inductively heating prestressing SMA bars with no physical contact. To do so, the team will undertake the design, testing, and evaluation of an inductive heating system that can selectively heat the metal in a reinforced concrete structure without excessively heating the concrete (keeping in mind maintaining the hydration level in the concrete). To enable quick and effective activation, the team envisions the potential design, which involves using portable induction machines capable of moving exteriorly along the beam to induce heat in the SMA.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Sponsor Organizations:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352
• Principal Investigators:

  Andrawes, Bassem

• Start Date: 20240801
• Expected Completion Date: 20261231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alloys; Durability; Induction heating; Precast concrete; Prestressed concrete
• Subject Areas: Design; Materials; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01943053
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 22 2025 11:45AM