BACKGROUND

Steel reinforced concrete barriers, even when using epoxy coated steel reinforcement, have experienced premature deterioration due to salt exposure resulting in reduced service life. One solution is to use noncorrosive reinforcing materials such as glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) in lieu of traditional steel or steel-coated reinforcement. Research and limited application by state departments of transportation (DOTs) has demonstrated the viability of GFRP as an alternative construction material for bridge barriers.

Research is needed to develop nationally accepted design and repair requirements for use of GFRP in concrete bridge barriers. The research outcome should help highway agencies make more informed decisions regarding the type of bridge barriers used and selection of repair strategies.  

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop design requirements for (1) new GFRP reinforced concrete barriers and (2) repair of damaged barriers using GFRP. The new requirements shall be according to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.

TASKS 

Task descriptions are intended to provide a framework for conducting the research. The NCHRP is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objective.

PHASE I

Task 1. Collect and review information on current domestic and international practices relevant to design, testing, and repair of concrete bridge barriers using GFRP. Identify barrier size, shape, materials, test levels, repair strategies, and other details. This information may be obtained from published and unpublished information, and public and private organizations involved in design, construction, repair, and testing of barriers, including existing surveys of state DOTs.

Task 2. Evaluate the details of the GFRP barriers identified in Task 1 and identify potential barrier designs and repair details (e.g., geometry; deck connections; anchorage and internal continuity detailing, such as couplers and splicing details) that merit further evaluation in Phase II.

Task 3. Propose a research plan, to be executed in Phase II, to achieve the project objective. At a minimum, the research plan shall include:

• A comprehensive evaluation of the potential barrier details identified in Task 2.
• Numerical modeling and MASH testing of potential barriers to validate the proposed repair requirements, methods, and strategies. Include the number of crash tests to be performed.
• Design examples to illustrate use of the proposed requirements.
• A preliminary outline and table of contents for the draft language of the requirements for the design of new and repair of damaged barriers using GFRP reinforced concrete for consideration by AASHTO to incorporate the research results in the appropriate AASHTO specifications (hereafter called AASHTO Deliverable). Include an annotated description of each section and subsection along with the proposed level of details of each subsection (i.e., brief, moderate, or extensive).
• The work proposed for Task 5 must be divided into subtasks, and proposers must describe in detail the work proposed in each subtask.

Task 4. Prepare an interim report that documents the research performed in Tasks 1 through 3. Following review of the interim report by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to make a presentation to the project panel. Work on Phase II of the project will not begin until the interim report is approved and the Phase II work plan is authorized by the NCHRP. The decision on proceeding with Phase II will be based on the contractor’s documented justification of the updated work plan.

Note: The contractor shall submit the Phase I interim report within 7 months from contract award and meet with NCHRP within 1 month of report submission. The meeting is expected to be in-person and held in Washington, DC. Whether in-person or online, NCHRP will host the meeting and be responsible for any panel member costs to attend meeting.

PHASE II

Task 5. Execute the proposed research plan according to the approved Phase I interim report.

Task 6. Develop the AASHTO Deliverable. 

Task 7. Prepare an interim report that documents the research performed in Task 5. Following review of the interim report by the NCHRP, the research team will be required to make a presentation to the project panel. Work on Phase III of the project will not begin until the interim report is approved and the Phase III work plan is authorized by the NCHRP. The decision on proceeding with Phase III will be based on the contractor’s documented justification of the updated work plan.

PHASE III

Task 8. Revise the AASHTO Deliverable after consideration of the panel’s review comments.

Task 9. Prepare the design examples to illustrate use of the AASHTO Deliverable.

Task 10. Submit the final deliverables including: (1) a final report that documents the entire research effort, (2) the AASHTO Deliverable, (3) a stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” (see Special Note J) to facilitate implementation of the developed requirements, and (4) design examples.

Note: Following receipt of the draft final deliverables, the remaining 3 months shall be for NCHRP review and comment and for research agency preparation of the final deliverables.

SPECIAL NOTES

A. The research team should anticipate making two presentations to appropriate technical committees at AASHTO meetings.

B. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs were revised in May 2022. Please take note of the new and revised text which is highlighted in yellow.

C. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file with a maximum file size of 10 MB. The PDF must be formatted for standard 8 ½” X 11” paper, and the entire proposal must not exceed 60 pages (according to the page count displayed in the PDF). Proposals that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. For other requirements, refer to chapter V of the instructions.

D. The Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs have been modified to include a revised policy and instructions for disclosing Investigator Conflict of Interest. For more information, refer to chapter IV of the instructions. A detailed definition and examples can be found in the CRP Conflict of Interest Policy for Contractors. The proposer recommended by the project panel will be required to submit an Investigator Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form as a prerequisite for contract negotiations.

E. Proposals will be rejected if any of the proposed research team members work for organizations represented on the project panel. The panel roster for this project can be found at https://www.mytrb.org/OnlineDirectory/Committee/Details/6780 . Proposers may not contact panel members directly; this roster is provided solely for the purpose of avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

F. Proprietary Products - If any proprietary products are to be used or tested in the project, please refer to Item 6 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals.

G. Proposals are evaluated by the NCHRP staff and project panels consisting of individuals collectively knowledgeable in the problem area. The project panel will recommend their first choice proposal considering the following factors: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and experiment design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related problem area; (4) the plan for ensuring application of results; (5) how the proposer approaches inclusion and diversity in the composition of their team and research approach, including participation by certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; and, if relevant, (6) the adequacy of the facilities. A recommendation by the project panel is not a guarantee of a contract. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS - the contracting authority for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) will conduct an internal due diligence review and risk assessment of the panel’s recommended proposal before contract negotiations continue.

Note: The proposer's approach to inclusion and diversity as well as participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises should be incorporated in Item 11 of the proposal.

H. Copyrights - All data, written materials, computer software, graphic and photographic images, and other information prepared under the contract and the copyrights therein shall be owned by the National Academy of Sciences. The contractor and subcontractors will be able to publish this material for non-commercial purposes, for internal use, or to further academic research or studies with permission from TRB Cooperative Research Programs. The contractor and subcontractors will not be allowed to sell the project material without prior approval by the National Academy of Sciences. By signing a contract with the National Academy of Sciences, contractors accept legal responsibility for any copyright infringement that may exist in work done for TRB. Contractors are therefore responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for use of copyrighted material in TRB's Cooperative Research Programs publications. For guidance on TRB's policies on using copyrighted material please consult Section 5.4, "Use of Copyrighted Material," in the Procedural Manual for Contractors.

I. Proposals should include a task-by-task breakdown of labor hours for each staff member as shown in Figure 4 in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals. Proposals also should include a breakdown of all costs (e.g., wages, indirect costs, travel, materials, and total) for each task using Figures 5 and 6 in the brochure. Please note that TRB Cooperative Research Program subawards (selected proposers are considered subawards to the National Academy of Sciences, the parent organization of TRB) must comply with 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. These requirements include a provision that proposers without a "federally" Negotiated Indirect Costs Rate Agreement (NICRA) shall be subject to a maximum allowable indirect rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs. Modified Total Direct Costs include all salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each lower tier subaward and subcontract. Modified Total Direct Costs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each lower tier subaward and subcontract in excess of $25,000.

J. The required technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products” should (a) provide recommendations on how to best put the research findings/products into practice; (b) identify possible institutions that might take leadership in applying the research findings/products; (c) identify issues affecting potential implementation of the findings/products and recommend possible actions to address these issues; and (d) recommend methods of identifying and measuring the impacts associated with implementation of the findings/products. Implementation of these recommendations is not part of the research project and, if warranted, details of these actions will be developed and implemented in future efforts.

Note: The research team will be expected to provide input to an implementation team consisting of panel members, AASHTO committee members, the NCHRP Implementation Coordinator, and others in order to meet the goals of NCHRP Active Implementation: Moving Research into Practice, available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP_ActiveImplementation.pdf

K. If the team proposes a Principal Investigator who is not an employee of the Prime Contractor, or if the Prime Contractor is proposed to conduct less than 50% of the total effort (by time or budget), then section five of the proposal should include: (1) a justification of why this approach is appropriate, and (2) a description of how the Prime Contractor will ensure adequate communication and coordination with their Subcontractors throughout the project.

L. All budget information should be suitable for printing on 8½″ x 11″ paper. If a budget page cannot fit on a single 8½″ x 11″ page, it should be split over multiple pages. Proposers must use the Excel templates provided in the Information and Instructions for Preparing Proposals for the Transportation Research Board’s Cooperative Research Programs.