Research Needs

The CRSI Graduate Fellowship Program is focused on sponsoring a wide variety of research projects involving steel reinforcing bars. Reinforcing bars are used in all types of construction: cast-in-place concrete, precast/prestressed concrete, post-tensioned concrete, and reinforced masonry. Engineering research needs are solicited for the following major areas:

• Structures
• Materials (physical properties, chemistry) and corrosion durability
• Industry practice
• Metallurgical / manufacturing
• Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP)

CRSI has prepared the following list of high-priority projects for our industry, which is updated on an annual basis:

1. Re-assessment of Bend Diameters for Reinforcing Bars
2. Evaluation of the Tensile Mechanical Properties of Coiled Reinforcing Bars
3. Re-examination of Compression Development Length and Lap Splice Design Provisions
4. Re-examination of Rib Patterns on High-Strength Bars
5. Headed Bar Clustering Effects
6. Durability
7. Tension Lap Splice Strength in Thin Members
8. Design of Pile Caps

The CRSI Education and Research Foundation is presently soliciting proposals for the 2010 Graduate Research Fellowship program. Information on the program and submission guidelines are available for download in the following two documents:

• CRSI Graduate Research Submission Form 1-2010
• RFP Memo to Civil Engineering Faculty Members 1-2010