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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.

Project 2.04: Thermoplastic Composites by 3D Printing and Automated Manufacturing to Extend the Life

January 1, 2019

Thermoplastic Composites by 3D Printing and Automated Manufacturing to Extend the Life of Transportation Facilities

Project 2.4

Project Information
Downloadable Documents
Photo Gallery

Project Summary

This project aims to extend the life of transportation facilities by using 3D printed molds to manufacture thermoplastic composite molds that can be used as formworks for precast concrete. This project addresses the need to develop durable and cost-effective forms and tooling for precast concrete parts used in transportation.

Principal Investigator

Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido

Institution:

University of Maine

Project Status

Active

Project Cost

$149,912

Start Date

01/01/2019

Project Type

Base-funded

End Date

12/31/2022

Agency ID

69A3551847101

Sponsors:

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation
University of Maine, Maine Department of Transportation

Implementation of Research Outcomes:

Large-scale railroad bridge ballast retainer formwork at American Concrete Ind. plant in Veazie, Maine.

Large-scale railroad bridge ballast retainer formwork at American Concrete Ind. plant in Veazie, Maine.

3D printed form of at the Unistress Corp. precast concrete plant in Pittsfield, MA.

3D printed form of at the Unistress Corp. precast concrete plant in Pittsfield, MA.

Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:

a. DOTs will be able to specify durable and cost-effective thermoplastic composites with optimized designs using large-scale 3D printings for precast concrete forms and tooling.
b. Optimized 3D printed forms will increase the longevity of precast concrete elements and parts.

Related Links:

Printable Project Information Sheet

March 2019 Semi-Annual Progress Report

September 2019 Semi-Annual Progress Report

December 2019 Quarterly Progress Report

February 2020 Quarterly Progress Report

April 2020 Quarterly Progress Report

July 2020 Quarterly Progress Report

September 2020 Quarterly Progress Report

December 2020 Quarterly Progress Report

March 2021 Quarterly Progress Report

June 2021 Quarterly Progress Report

September 2021 Quarterly Progress Report

December 2021 Quarterly Progress Report

March 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

June 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

September 2022 Quarterly Progress Report

3D printing of Railroad Ballast Retainer formwork

Concrete placement in 3D printed formwork

Worker prepares 3D printed latticework for concrete mixture placement

On-Site Installment

Workers in reflective vests and hard hats signal for the railroad ballast retainer to be lifted off of a train car

The railroad ballast retainer is set in place at the end of a railroad bridge

Worker used for scale inside the tub like shape of the railroad ballast retainers, the peak reaches the worker's shoulders

Completed Installation

An arial view of the completed railroad bridge with ballast retainer now covered in gravel and railroad track

Tags: 3D-Printing Advanced Composite Materials Composites Concrete

DISCLAIMER: The contents of the research presented herein reflect the views of the researchers, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented. The findings presented herein are disseminated in the interest of information exchange. The research presented herein is funded, partially or entirely, by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers Program. However, the U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof.

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