Affiliated Research Centers

Annual Report

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Center for Electromechanics (CEM)

UT's Center for Electromechanics is one of the world's leading university-based research centers developing new concepts and technologies for the generation, storage, and use of electric and mechanical power. FY 2007 saw the following accomplishments for CEM:

Signed contract to bring to Texas the first plug-in hybrid bus with fuel cell range extender
Developed and published simulation approaches to compare flywheels, batteries, and ultracapacitors as energy storage with both fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines on actual bus routes
Demonstrated performance and reliability of active suspension systems on military vehicles
Signed contract to bring first hydrogen refueling station to Texas. This effort was part of the TxDOT-CTR Project 0-5590, Strategic Plan Development for Hydrogen Vehicles and Fueling Stations. Report 0-5590-1 is available from the CTR Reports Online page in the Research section of the CTR Web site.

Center for Research in Water Resources (CRWR)

CRWR serves as the central focus for environmental and water resources research at the university and works with CTR and TxDOT to analyze such issues as they pertain to transportation. This year, CRWR researchers participated in four active projects funded by TxDOT. Dr. Michael Barrett, Dr. Randy Charbeneau, and Dr. Joseph Malina participated in the program this year.

Active projects involving CRWR researchers:

0-4875 Minimum Longitudinal Grade at Zero Cross Slope in Superelevation Transition
0-5492 Hydraulic Performance of Bridge Rails and Traffic Barriers
0-5220 Investigation of Stormwater Quality Improvements Utilizing Permeable Pavement and/or the Porous Friction Course (PFC)
0-4611 Non-Proprietary, Small Footprint Stormwater Quality Structures for use in Urban Areas

Construction Industry Institute (CII)

CII is a research consortium based at UT Austin with a mission of improving the safety, quality, schedule, and cost effectiveness of the constructed project. FY 2007 developments included:

In the last two years, membership has grown to more than 105 members
In 2006, CEM initiated the CII Executive Leadership Program, a three-week program conducted in association with UT’s McCombs School of Business and designed to help nurture and prepare the leaders of tomorrow
The annual conference was held in Orlando, Florida, from July 31 through August 2, 2007. The theme was “Bringing Value to a Changing Global Landscape.”

Construction Materials Research Group (CMRG)

CMRG seeks to integrate education for civil engineers with advancement in construction materials technology.

Located at the J.J. Pickle Research Center, CMRG annually works with more than 20 graduate students in the pursuit of research to advance construction materials technology and concrete durability. Projects funded by TxDOT in 2007 included:

Prediction Model for Concrete Behavior (0-4563)
Sulfate Resistance of Concrete Exposed to External Sulfate Attack (0-4889)
Liquid Nitrogen Effects on Concrete (0-5111)
Self-Consolidating Concrete for Precast Structural Applications (0-5134)
Effects of Texas Flyash on Air-Entrainment in Concrete (0-5207)
Implementing Strategies for Mitigating or Preventing Premature Concrete Deterioration in Texas Bridge Structures (0-5218)
Rehabilitation Procedures for Longitudinal Cracks and Joints Separation in Concrete Pavement (0-5444)

Ferguson Structural Engineering Lab (FSEL)

The Phil M. Ferguson Structural Engineering Research Laboratory (FSEL), the largest facility of its kind in the world, continues to pursue its mission: to conduct research for improving the analysis, design, and construction of buildings, bridges, and special structures.

During FY 2007, researchers at FSEL participated in 15 active TxDOT-funded projects. Topics included evaluating the redundancy of steel bridges, fatigue life of traffic structures, design for safe and economical construction, extending service life of large structures, corrosion resistance, and prediction models for the behavior of concrete over time. Recently published reports include:

An Investigation of the Tensile Strength of Pre-stressed AASHTO Type IV Girders at Release (0-5197-2)
Evaluation of Serviceability Requirements for Load Rating Pre-stressed Concrete Bridges (0-1895-1)
Structural Reliability Analysis for Vessel Impact on Bridges (0-4650-1)

International Center for Aggregates Research (ICAR)

The Center for Aggregates Research is committed to advancing aggregates research, education, and technology transfer. ICAR serves the industry as a forum for research and discussion where aggregates stakeholders can seek answers to industry concerns. In addition, the center provides the industry with the knowledge to put the latest aggregates technology into practice.

ICAR held its 15th annual symposium at Austin’s Hyatt Regency Hotel, April 9–12, 2007. The 140 attendees represented state departments of transportation, federal agencies, universities, and the aggregates industry. In addition to meetings of ICAR’s task forces, technical sessions covered a diverse array of topics.