Project 2.17: Design and Development of High-Performance Composites for Improved Durability of Bridges in Rhode Island

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

January 1, 2022

Design and Development of High-Performance Composites
for Improved Durability of Bridges in Rhode Island

Project 2.17

Project Information
Downloadable Documents

Project Summary

Transportation infrastructure is the backbone of our economy. But the current condition of America’s deteriorating transportation infrastructure network has raised serious concerns on safety, quality of life, and economic impacts. According to the recent American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2021 Report Card America’s Infrastructure scores a C-. According to the report, in Rhode Island, the condition of our bridge infrastructure is still rated a D-. Hence, there is an immediate need to adopt modern technologies and durable materials in these infrastructure components. Improvement of the health of our infrastructure depends on the development of innovative technology to build next-generation of durable infrastructure for a long-term solution. The central objective of this project stems from the above-mentioned concerns towards strengthening our degraded bridges using strong and durable 3D-printed composite materials. Overall, it is anticipated that the outcome of this comprehensive project has the potential to define a new paradigm toward the efficient strengthening of our bridge infrastructure.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Sumanta Das

Co-PIs

Dr. Mayrai Gindy

Institution:

University of Rhode Island

Project Status

Active

Project Cost

$320,613

Start Date

01/01/2022

Project Type

Base-funded

End Date

09/01/2023

Agency ID

69A3551847101

Sponsors:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation, University of Rhode Island, Goetz Composites, Tech Bridge.

Implementation of Research Outcomes:

This project is in its initial research phase. Implementation of research outcomes will be reported upon completion of the research outputs.

Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:

This project is in its research phase. Impacts and benefits of the research will be reported after the implementation phase.

Printable Project Information Sheet

Download

March 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

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June 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

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September 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

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