Article 15.1 Research Problem Statements

Guide to Developing Research Problem Statements

By M. Myint Lwin (July 1, 2003)

The Highway Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures (HSCOBS) of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) encourages practical and timely research in helping its members meet their responsibility in designing, building and managing the nation's bridge infrastructure. Because of this recognition, the HSCOBS annually reviews and recommends selective research problem statements to the AASHTO Standing Committee on Research (SCOR) for consideration for funding under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP).

To help engineers and researchers develop and submit research problem statements, the HSCOBS has identified six "thrust areas" and related "business needs" and associated "building blocks" which it will use to review, evaluate and prioritize research problem statements for forwarding to SCOR for consideration for selection and funding. The six "thrust areas" and "business Needs" and the associated "building blocks" (i.e., products or processes that must be available to satisfy the business need) are as follows:

Thrust Area: Enhanced Materials, Structural Systems, and Technologies.

Objective - To develop or enhance the following:
1. Materials that improve durability, reduce cost, and improve constructability;
2. Structural systems that improve performance and reliability;
3. Construction technologies that reduce construction or rehabilitation time and cost while ensuring safety; and
4. Policies, procedures, and methodologies that enable the acceptance and adoption of new technologies.
Business Need: To develop and apply sustainable materials, products, structural systems, and technologies that reduce life-cycle costs, extend useful life, and improve the constructability of bridges.

Building Blocks:
1. Materials:
  - High-strength, high-toughness, and durable steel plates and rolled sections.
  - High-performance concrete.
  - Fiber-reinforced polymers.
  - Corrosion protection systems for structural steel reinforcement, tendons, cables, and stays.
2. Structural Systems:
  - Structural systems that span greater distances for less cost.
  - Self-maintaining bridge systems.
  - Modular construction.
  - Rapid replacement techniques.
3. Technologies:
  - Training and certification programs for laboratory and field inspectors.
  - Test beds for evaluation of products and structural systems.
  - Deterioration models for life-cycle analyses.
  - Performance-based acceptance criteria.
  - Improved field welding processes.
Thrust Area: Efficient Maintenance, Rehabilitation, and Construction.

Objective - To reduce construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation time and expense through the following:
1. Efficient contracting methods,
2. Efficient construction methods, and
3. Efficient inspection and monitoring methods.
Business Need: To identify, develop and apply efficient technologies, processes, and administrative methods that ensure quality and longevity, and enhance safety and that reduce construction and maintenance time, costs, and effects on the public.

Building Blocks:
1. Improved QA/QC specifications and inspection processes.
2. Design/build contracting.
3. Automated and integrated design, fabrication, and construction processes.
4. Best practices, methods, and models for preventive maintenance in order to optimize service life.
5. Performance-based specifications.
6. Electronic design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance records.
7. Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) automation for fabrication and inspection
Thrust Area: Bridge Management.

Objective - To develop bridge management practices that facilitate enhanced maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation through the following:
1. Continued support of existing bridge management systems to facilitate improvements,
2. Providing the bridge engineer with the best possible information on bridge conditions to support management decisions, and
3. Development of standardized processes for identifying project needs and ranking the projects once identified.
Business Need: To improve the practices used by bridge owners, including the use of software systems such as PONTIS and BRIDGIT. This comprehensive effort will be directed toward all areas of bridge management, from inspection and data collection to using the data to manage public resources.

Building Blocks:
1. Inspection and assessment techniques, including remote sensing, monitoring, and NDT.
2. Software development, including new and improved modules for bridge management systems such as geographic information systems(GIS) applications.
3. Data to support economic analyses and service life/life-cycle analyses.
4. Risk management and capital investment strategies.
5. Quality data and databases.
6. Guidelines for maintenance-cost data collection.
7. Methodologies to establish bridge needs.
Thrust Area: Enhanced Specifications for Improved Structural Performance.

Objective - To improve bridge durability, constructibility, and maintainability through the following:
1. Full implementation of load and resistance factor design (LRFD),
2. Technical training of the bridge engineering workforce in use of LRFD specifications,
3. Specification provisions for high-performance materials and composite materials, and Rationalized design provisions for extreme events.
Business Need: To develop and implement LRFD design specifications design details, material specifications, and construction specifications that enhance durability, constructability, and maintainability while maintaining safety. These standards should address component-specific performance requirements and regional considerations.

Building Blocks:
1. Specifications for high-performance materials.
2. Specifications for composite materials.
3. Design and construction concepts for rapid replacement and repair.
4. Performance-based specifications.
5. Durability standards.
6. Education opportunities for engineers on current design practices.
Thrust Area: Computer-Aided Design, Construction, and Maintenance.

Objective - To improve and to streamline the project development process through the following:
1. Implementing advanced computer automation and data communication technology to enhance productivity in bridge design, fabrication, construction, rating, maintenance, and management;
2. Using communications technology to support the transfer of data from design through construction, including official project documents;
3. Using interactive computer-based training to implement new specifications and to bring newly hired engineers up to speed;
4. Promoting seamless transfer of data from design through plan preparation to construction in order to accelerate and enhance quality project delivery; and
5. Using computer-based communications technology to provide bridge-related information to the public.
Business Area: To improve and streamline the project development process for the design, plan preparation, and construction of bridges or other highway structures. This need can be addressed with automated bridge analysis and rating systems, such as VIRTIS/OPIS and BRASS, and the development of LRFD and other structure-related software. Robust databases and seamless data transfer are required in order to develop the project from inception to construction. Integrated manufacturing processes are also required.

Building Blocks:
1. Computer automation and communication.
2. Software verification/validation.
3. Software tools to validate/compare proposed specification changes.
4. Systems to integrate bid estimating, project management, and construction management.
5. Enhanced CADD/automation to integrate manufacturing, erection, and construction process.
6. Systems for public access to transportation-related information.
7. National standards for data and data management.
Thrust Area: Leadership.

Objective - To engage engineers fully in policy formulation, planning, and budgeting through the following:
1. Equitable application of resources to bridge infrastructure through participation in budgetary and management policy decisions and
2. Enhancing the public's understanding of DOT decisions regarding structures.
Business Need: To encourage bridge engineers to seek opportunities to become engaged in the overall policy and budgetary processes within their organizations and to demonstrate the enhancement of policy and budgetary decisions by input from bridge engineers.

Building Blocks:
1. A professional articulation of safety risk implications of design alternatives.
2. A structural viewpoint on the following:
  
  Aesthetics investment,
  Environmental sensitivity investment,
  Preventive maintenance investment,
  Bridge alignment, and
  Construction methods.
3. Application of bridge management expertise to the department's asset management process.
4. Enhanced public perception of the department.
5. Leadership and management training for bridge engineers.

Reference: NCHRP 20/07 Task 121 Thrust Areas/Business Needs For Bridge Engineering

An outline for preparing a Research Problem Statement and a sample Research Problem Statement are shown in the following pages.

Outline for Research Problem Statement

(This format may be used preparing and submitting research problem statements to TRB, NCHRP and AASHTO)

Problem Number
To be assigned by NCHRP staff.
Problem Title
A suggested title, in as few words as possible.
Research Problem Statement
A statement of general problem or need -- one or more paragraphs explaining the reason for research. Be explicit about how the intended research product will be used and by whom.

(Note: A TRIS Online literature search <http://ntl.bts.gov/tris> is encouraged to avoid duplication with existing or past research. General comments on the results of the literature search should be provided.)
Research Objective
A statement of the specific research objective, defined in terms of the expected final product, that relates to the general problem statement in III above. Define specific tasks necessary to achieve the objective.
Estimate of Problem Funding and Research Period
Recommended Funding:

An estimate of the funds necessary to accomplish the objectives stated in IV above. As a general guideline, the present cost for research usually averages between $150,000 and $200,000 for 100 percent of a professional employee's time per year. This figure represents a fully loaded, professional rate that would include an individual's direct salary and benefits and an agency's overhead or indirect costs. Average rates for supporting staff might be approximately one-half those of professionals. Depending on the type of research, the estimate should be modified for any unique expenses such as the purchase of materials, extensive physical testing or computer time, and extraordinary travel.

Research Period:

An estimate of the number of months of research effort, including three months for preparation of a draft final report, necessary to the accomplishment of the objectives in IV above.

(Note: These estimates may be changed by the AASHTO Standing Committee on Research to fit the problem into the broad program.)
Urgency, Payoff Potential, and Implementation
Statements concerning the urgency of this particular research in relation to highway transportation needs in general and the potential for payoff (couched in benefit/cost terms if at all possible) from achievement of project objectives should be given.

A statement should be included that further describes the anticipated product(s) from the research (e.g., recommended specification language, new instrumentation, or recommended test methods). The anticipated steps necessary for implementation of the research product should also be delineated (e.g., Will recommended specification language be considered for adoption by a committee within AASHTO?

Will an industry group have to adopt a new test method or revise their current practices or equipment?). This information should be as specific as possible, noting particular documents that may be affected, or techniques or equipment that may be made obsolete. Any institutional or political barriers to implementation of the anticipated research products should also be identified.

A statement identifying the Thrust/Business Need that will be addressed by this research (ref to NCHRP 20-7, Task 121). What building blocks are addressed?
Person(s) Developing the Problem
A statement of the specifics (name, title, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc.) of the person(s) having developed the problem in all its detail.
Problem Monitor
A statement of the specifics (name, title, address, etc.) of the person who will be assigned by the Administrator or Committee submitting this problem to monitor the research, if programmed, from inception to completion. The monitor's final responsibility will entail recommendations to the Standing Committee on Research as to how the research results could be implemented.
Date and Submitted By
Show date of submission and by whom problem is submitted (preferably State Bridge Engineer).

Sample Research Problem Statement

Problem Number
To be assigned by NCHRP staff.
Problem Title
Development of Design and Construction Specifications for Self-Compacting Concrete
Research Problem Statement
Self-compacting concrete (SCC) has been developed in Japan in the late 1980s. SCC is now used in Japan and Europe. For example, in the Netherlands, Sweden and United Kingdom, the precast concrete industry is shifting to SCC on a large scale. Many SCC bridges have been constructed in the European countries in the last few years. Although the basic ingredients of SCC have been in the market place for some time, use of this type of high performance concrete did not start in the US until very recently.

SCC offers many advantages for the precast, prestressed industry and for the cast-in-place construction:
- SCC does not need vibration to achieve consolidation.
- The noise-level in the manufacturing plant and at construction site is low, minimizing environmental impact.
- The problems associated with vibration are eliminated.
- Less labor and speedier construction, and cost savings.
- SCC offers more architectural freedom of shapes.
- SCC has improved durability characteristics.
SCC has good potential for greater acceptance and wider applications in civil infrastructure. However, design and construction specifications are needed to guide the bridge engineering community and the concrete industry to take advantage of a new breed of high performance concrete - self-compacting concrete.
Research Objective

The main objective of this proposed research is to develop design and construction specifications in the AASHTO LRFD format to help bridge engineers design and specify self-compacting concrete in highway bridge construction.

The proposed research is expected to include at least the following tasks:

Task 1 - Scan and evaluate the research findings and the state-of-the-practice of SCC at home and abroad. Japan and several European countries have already done research aimed at developing SCC for practical applications for civil structures, including bridges. In the U.S., the precast industry is using SCC, and several State DOT's are conducting research and building bridge members in SCC. The SCC technology in Japan, Europe and U.S. should provide a wealth of information for this proposed research.

Task 2 - Evaluate the findings from Task 1 and identify additional information, if any, for developing the design and construction specifications.

Task 3 - Perform laboratory and field tests to collect data as identified in Task 2 and to determine/validate the mechanical properties and Constructability of SCC, such as, workability, rheology, compressive strength, time-dependent creep and shrinkage properties, durability, hydrostatic pressure acting on forms, etc.

Task 4 - Develop reliable, portable, and simple test methods for quality control and quality assurance of the key properties of SCC, such as, ability to flow into forms under its own weight, ability to pass through reinforcement under its own weight and resistance to segregation. The test methods should be in a format adoptable by ASTM/AASHTO as standard test methods for SCC.

Task 5 - Develop LRFD Design and Construction Specifications, supplementing the AASHTO LRFD Specifications pertaining to the design and construction of concrete superstructures and substructures.

Task 6 - Prepare a final report.
Estimate of Problem Funding and Research Period
Recommended Funding: $450,000

Research Period: 36 months
Urgency, Payoff Potential, Implementation and Support for Business Needs

The advantages of SCC are already recognized by the concrete industry. Design and construction specifications are urgently needed to give the designers another option in meeting the demands of today and tomorrow for high performance concrete in highway bridge construction. Precast concrete members can be prefabricated with ease, speed and economy. Using SCC can accelerate cast-in-place concrete construction in tight space and in areas of congested reinforcement, such as, drilled shafts, columns, cap beams, earth retaining systems, and superstructure elements.

There will be high payoff in not requiring vibration to achieve consolidation and the low noise level to meet stringent environmental requirements in urban and suburban construction. Less labor and speedier construction will result in substantial cost savings, less traffic disruption, and risk reduction.

Thrust/Business Need

Enhanced Specifications for Improved Structural Performance. The associated building blocks include design and construction concepts for self-compacting concrete.
Person(s) Developing the Problem
M. Myint Lwin
Structural Design Engineer
FHWA Western Resource Center
201 Mission Street, Suite 2100
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 744-2660
E-Mail: myint.lwin@fhwa.dot.gov

Mary Lou Ralls
Director, Bridge Division
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 416-2183 Fax: (512) 416-3144
E-mail: mralls@dot.state.tx.us
Problem Monitor
To be determined.
Date and Submitted by
March 1, 2002

Malcolm T. Kerley
State Structure and Bridge Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 786-2635
Fax: (804) 786-2988
email: mal.kerley@virginiadot.org


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