Project 1.18 Summary: Bridge inspection is a vital component of any bridge management strategy of a state DOT.Significant funds are allocated to keeping the over 600,000 bridges in the U.S. safe. A routinebridge inspection is the most common type of inspection and is often performed from deck,ground or water levels Read more…
Project 1.19 Summary: Asphalt material producers sometimes incorporate Recycled Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB) intopaving asphalt in order to alter its performance grade (PG). State Departments of Transportationexpress concern that REOB decreases pavement lifetime, even though it does not violate thespecifications that are intended to ensure good performance. This research project Read more…
Project 1.20 Summary: Assessment and monitoring the performance and health of rail structures is an essential aspect ofprioritizing the repair and replacement, as well as extending service life, of these transportationinfrastructures. Intrusion of fines from the subgrade or surface leads to ballast fouling andconsequently impairs track drainage and adversely affects Read more…
Project 3.16 Summary: This project focuses on the assessment of the fiber-reinforced polymer tub girder (CT girder) with precast concrete decks and new, FRP girder-deck shear connectors. This will extend the application of this new bridge technology by modularizing construction and the additional use of composite materials. The new FRP Read more…
Project 3.17 Summary: Recent and ongoing research has highlighted the need to better understand and quantify web shear capacity as well as the shortcomings of current design methodologies for fiber-reinforced polymer tub girders (CT girders). This project will directly address these issues by increasing the efficiency and simplifying design of Read more…
Project 3.18 Summary: In order to realize a potentially transformational improvement in concrete bridge deck durability, the proposed research program intends to validate a deck design by which little to no conventional reinforcement is required. The design relies on the development of so-called arching action to maintain compressive stresses in Read more…
Project 3.19 Summary: The problem we are trying to solve is the detection and monitoring of aging civil infrastructurecomponents and systems in New England by using visual information and subsurface images in avirtual reality (VR) environment for data visualization and machine learning (ML) for datainterpretation. Material aging and structural deterioration Read more…
Project 4.13 Summary: This two-year project will focus on developing methods for quantifying the external social costsof transportation civil infrastructure projects, particularly small to mid-size projects that arecommon in New England states. Transportation projects have costs and benefits that affectsociety that are external to the project budget. These external costs Read more…
Project C19.2020 Summary: Many Bridges failed during flooding events due to bridge scour or waterborne debris impacts or their combinations. It is essential to evaluate the risk of bridge failures before flooding and make predictive management to ensure the safety of the bridge. The present study is proposed by an Read more…
Project C21.2022 Summary: The proposed research merges a materials science and engineering approach to corrosionscience with structural engineering approaches to bridge inspection and assessment to generateand implement a corrosion prediction model for bridge inspection and asset management systems.We build on prior work identifying the progression of corrosion as a function Read more…
Project Summary: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or “drones” are revolutionizing some basic reconnaissance, including structural inspections. This project seeks to enhance and expand the range of applications for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to aid inspection of transportation structures. This project is primarily aimed at UAV modifications to allow new ways Read more…
Project 1.13 Summary: Most of the New England railway bridges were designed and built more than a century ago withoutdated design codes and materials. The objective of this research project is to investigate thestructural behavior of critical members and connections, such as eye-bars, pins, and gusset plates(Fig. 1 and 2), Read more…
Project 1.14 Summary: Enhancing safety of roadway segments is a critical step towards maintaining durable transportation infrastructures. Due to significant costs associated with construction of roadway segments, redesigning or rebuilding a roadway segment is not always a viable solution for safety improvement. Low-cost safety countermeasures are effective tools to enhance Read more…
Project 1.15 Summary: The objective of this research is to develop non-contact sensing mechanism for infrastructure monitoring as well as the associated machine-learning based technique for decision making. Currently available sensory systems for structural health monitoring are almost all based on transducers that are directly attached to or embedded in Read more…
Project 1.16 Summary: Maintaining the safety and stability of a bridge is a series concern of our nation. ASCE report cards repeatedly give low grades for our bridges indicating the immediate needs for repair and maintenance. The bridges’ expansion joints of our regions are especially vulnerable because of continuous thermal Read more…
Project 1.17 Summary: The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has a significant inventory of state[1]owned roads of which layer thickness and moisture related damage is uncertain. Discrete methods of assessment like coring and visual inspection provide limited data and are both time-consuming and costly in terms of traffic control Read more…
Project Abstract: The primary goal of this research project is to develop and implement efficient and effective methodology for short- and long-term continuous condition monitoring and detection of railroad bridges. This is proposed to be achieved utilizing analytical and computational (finite element) modeling and analysis considering vehicle-bridge interaction and dynamic Read more…
Project Abstract: The problem we are trying to solve is the structural assessment of aging concrete bridges (reinforced and prestressed) in New England, targeting at concrete cracking and degradation (e.g., carbonation, alkali-silica reaction). The problem is important because that the integrity of concrete cover indicates not only mechanical strength of Read more…
Project Abstract: The problem we are trying to solve is how to monitor aging bridges. This is important because managing aging civil infrastructure is a major challenge facing the U.S and countries worldwide. Deterioration and premature failures of civil infrastructure have a critical impact on the U.S. economy. Fiber optic Read more…
Project Abstract: The main research plan is to study new materials that will make some positive changes in the durability and longevity of the life of transportation infrastructure, e.g., new asphalt mixtures with Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM). CRM is recycled rubber produced from waste scrap tires, and when it is Read more…
Project Abstract: The objectives of this project are to monitor the structural performance of carbon fiber composite cable (CFCC) strands in the Penobscot-Narrows cable-stayed bridge to evaluate long-term durability, and to assess durability of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strands for pre-stressed concrete bridges. This project will enhance transportation infrastructure Read more…
Project Summary: Due to the increasing number of deteriorating and failing culverts under highways in Maine and across the nation, efforts have been underway to reduce costs by slip lining selected culverts rather than replacing them. While slip lining extends the useful life of culverts, it reduces the diameter of Read more…
Project Summary: “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 Read more…
Project Summary: The primary goal is to develop concrete mix designs that meet modern high-performance durability requirements while being practical to manufacture with New England-sourced materials and suppliers. These new Performance Concrete or High Performance Concrete (HPC) mix designs use graded aggregates, silica fumes, slags, fly ash, fibers, and other Read more…
Project 2.14 Summary: The proposed research aims at the development and implementation of cost effective non-proprietary high and ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) mix designs. Research emphasis is being placed on testing and analysis of durability properties of promising UHPC mixtures, as well as testing large scale mixing in collaboration with Read more…
Project 2.15 Summary: Highway right-of-ways (ROWs) provide numerous ecosystem services beyond erosion control. Incorporation of native grasses and flowering plants into ROW plantings can further increase the services by providing habitat for endangered native pollinators while improving aesthetics, erosion control, and stormwater filtration. However, highway ROWs are not natural habitats. Read more…
Project 2.16 Summary: In Rhode Island and other New England states, combined effects of freeze-thaw-induced damage and chloride ingress (from deicing salts) make it very challenging to maintain the quality of concrete on bridges and road surfaces. This project will develop, evaluate, and assess the feasibility of incorporating microencapsulated phase Read more…
Project 2.17 Summary: Accelerated degradation of concrete/steel elements on bridges has been a major cause of concernin Rhode Island and other northeastern states due to harsh winters, a significant number of freezethaw cycles, and the use of deicing salts. In this project, innovative durable 3D-printed compositesmaterials will be designed and Read more…
Project 2.18 Summary: Large-scale thermoplastic composite extrusion-based 3D printing has been used in research labs and is moving into industry. One significant use of large-scale 3D printing has been to make forms for manufacturing precast concrete parts. Once the forms have been used for casting concrete parts, there is an Read more…
Project Abstract: The overall objective is to develop a suite of highly durable concrete systems suitablefor a range of transportation infrastructure applications, given the range of constituentavailability (e.g. appropriate aggregates, supplementary cementitious materials),conventions for structural details, and typical New England exposure conditionsranging from coastal to mountains, that are suitable for Read more…
Project Abstract: The problem we are trying to solve is to accurately quantify the avalanches occurred during the flexure of fiber-reinforced concrete. We will use high temporal resolution measurements to measure the sliding avalanches between fibers and concrete during flexure. The critical avalanche behavior evolved during failure is examined using Read more…
Project Abstract: Recent advances in large-scale 3D printing and thermoplastic composite materials with bio-based fillers and reinforcements have great potential for expanding the possibilities of making forms for precast concrete structures. The 3D printing technology for making molds, forms, and tooling for precast concrete is expected to reduce labor cost. Read more…
Project Abstract: This research improves upon the technique of reinforcing concrete with dispersed fibers by having the fibers axially shrink after curing to produce a dispersed multi-axial post-tensioned state. Such reinforcing has the potential to increase the crack resistance and durability of the concrete. Preliminary benchtop testing with natural chitosan Read more…
Project Abstract: Ground improvement is the in situ alteration of the ground’s material properties, with the ultimate goal of strengthening, stiffening, and/or altering drainage characteristics to benefit design, construction, and performance of civil infrastructure. Carbonation is a process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) gas reacts with alkali minerals naturally occurring Read more…
Project 3.11 Abstract: Integral abutment bridges (IABs) are the preferred method of construction by the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) and other transportation agencies throughout the United States due to their durability and reduced upfront and life-cycle costs. Shallow bedrock, commonplace at bridge sites throughout the state of Maine, has Read more…
Project Summary: The use of rigid column-support to stabilize fill embankments and MSE walls continues to grow in popularity, especially among DOTs and transportation agencies for roadway, railway, and bridge applications because of its distinct advantage in accelerating construction in fill scenarios. However, perimeter columns may be subjected to appreciable Read more…
Project 3.12 Abstract: The use of rigid column-support to stabilize fill embankments and MSE walls continues to grow in popularity, especially among DOTs and transportation agencies for roadway, railway, and bridge applications because of its distinct advantage in accelerating construction in fill scenarios. However, perimeter columns may be subjected to Read more…
Project Summary: Rehabilitation of existing pavement structures is a primary objective in many roadway constructions projects in New England (NE) region. Reclaimed stabilized base (RSB) with an appropriate stabilizing agent is an appealing option for many rehabilitation projects. Depending on the type of base layer, various traditional stabilizing agents (e.g. Read more…
Project 3.15 Summary: Stormwater management is a critical component of transportation infrastructure and reduces sediments and pollutants delivered to waterways. The primary goal of this proposed study is to assess the performance and cost-benefit of including enhanced street cleaning program in a stormwater management plan. Conventional street cleaning programs consist Read more…
Project Abstract: The problem we are trying to solve is to understand and mitigate premature failures of prestressed concrete crossties (PSCCs), which are an essential structural component of a railroad track structure. The objectives of the project are to identify the main mechanisms of horizontal cracks upon de-tensioning prestressing wires Read more…
Project Abstract: Current proposal seeks to derive guiding approaches for extracting, through the literature, the promising opportunities for designing asphalt pavements with enhanced levels of reclamation and for capitalizing on such opportunities. To this end, the study proposes a framework for gauging and comparing, within the state-of-the-art and the state-of-the-science Read more…
Project Abstract: The overall objective of this research is to improve the guidelines for the modeling, design, and construction of integral abutment bridges (IABs) by completing the following tasks: Task 1: (Literature review and gathering of information) Task 2: (Improve guidelines for the modeling, design, and construction of IABs) Read more…
Project Abstract: Bridges form a critical category of the U.S. transportation infrastructure, yet the current structural condition is only evaluated at “C+” according to the 2017 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card. In addition to the fact that 9.1% of the bridges in U.S. are structurally deficient, the bridges in New England Read more…
Project Abstract: This project will identify opportunities and vulnerabilities for enhanced connectivity of transportation infrastructure in Maine and New England. The project will consider how these technologies will improve the durability of infrastructure and improve safety and efficiency for road users. The project will include a review of available technologies Read more…
Project Summary: Safety assessment of roadway facilities is a critical task to maintain the system operational efficiency and durability of transportation infrastructure. The comprehensive stay-at-home orders implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in massive reductions in traffic volumes, especially on major highways. Motorists have responded to these Read more…
Project 4.12 Summary: The construction of complex civil infrastructure projects, such as major transportation expansion and rehabilitation, usually faces various types of risks and uncertainties. If not managed properly, these risks and uncertainties bring significant negative impacts on project performance, causing schedule delays and cost overruns, which prevent these projects Read more…
Project Abstract: This proposal seeks to derive guidelines for the best use of green infrastructure (GI) to improve sustainability of transportation infrastructure through the investigation of GI practices at the community, site, and regional scales and then to identify specific infrastructure parameters to use for infrastructure performance analysis. Principal Investigator: Read more…
Project C11.2019 Abstract: Long-distance distributed sensing of bridges using fiber optic sensors is achieved by the Brillouin scattering of nonlinear acoustic photons (laser light) inside an optical fiber. Such nonlinear scattering of incident photons can be exploited to obtain the change of state (due to temperature or stress) at different Read more…
Project Summary: Modified helical (i.e. screw) piles are lightweight deep foundation elements that are screwed into the ground and efficiently generate geotechnical compressive and uplift resistance by mobilizing the shear strength of soil adjacent to helical plates that are welded to an extendable shaft. The addition of a novel collar Read more…
Project Summary: The problem we are trying to investigate is the synergistic application of unmanned aerialvehicles (UAVs) with active acoustic sensing (AAS) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for the underside inspection of bridge decks. The problem is important because that employing such UAV-AAS-SAR system can i) reduce inspection cost by Read more…
Project Abstract: The problem we are trying to solve is the condition assessment of corroded prestressed concrete (PC) bridge girders in New England. The problem is important because that PC bridge girders are a critical component of highway bridges. Concrete spalling and prestressing strand corrosion not only cause losses in Read more…
Project Abstract: Concrete produced with Alternative Cementitious Materials (ACMs) often exhibits superior mechanical performances and lower carbon footprint compared to those produced with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). ACMs also allow utilizing high-volume of industrial by-products as the binding materials instead of OPC, thus offering an environment-friendly alternative of traditional concrete. Read more…