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    <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://trid.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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      <link>https://trid.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Fatigue Strength and Ductility of Steel Plates with Holes Made from Plasma Cutting Methods</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2506238</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A literature review was conducted to evaluate current standards and existing research around the use of plasma arc cutting for holes (PACH) in the context of steel bridge applications. Additionally, an investigation into the state of the practice was conducted to determine if the latest technological advancements and equipment capabilities for plasma cutting could prove PACH to be an acceptable hole making process for bridge applications. Much of the existing research focuses on drilling and punching to make holes, but very limited experimental studies and data exists specifically evaluating plasma arc cutting. The most comprehensive study, including PACH, is discussed more thoroughly. Although limited, the findings from the existing research and the state of the practice are promising and suggest that plasma arc cutting may be acceptable as a hole making technique. To conclusively determine if such is the case, the research team recommends further experimental large-scale studies testing fatigue and strength at low temperatures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 10:45:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2506238</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4943:  An Experimental Study into the Fatigue Strength and Ductility of Builtup Steel Members with Holes made using Plasma Cutting Methods</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2444810</link>
      <description><![CDATA[SPR‐4841 served as a preliminary phase to this proposal, in which a literature review was conducted to evaluate current standards and existing research around the use of PACH in fatigue. The results of SPR-4841 revealed that the state of the practice for PACH is promising and suggest that plasma arc cutting could be proven acceptable as a hole making technique. In order to conclusively determine if such is the case, further experimental studies are recommended. This study proposes to fulfil the gaps in the literature related to such experimental test data. The project deliverables will be a final project report and if the technologies are found to produce holes that meet current behavior requirements, then move the research into practice through incorporation into INDOT and AASHTO Specifications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:12:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2444810</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>SPR-4841:  Investigation into the Fatigue Strength and Ductility of Steel Plates with Holes made from Plasma Cutting Methods</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2238797</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will perform a study to examine and synthesize all of the existing data related to the use of plasma cutting to place holes in steel components. While this method is very efficient resulting in cost and time savings, questions remain regarding the possible effect on ductility and fatigue life as compared to traditional hole drilling techniques. The results will be used to craft a detailed experimental program should additional data be needed.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:39:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2238797</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Studies on Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Plasma Arc Welded Aerospace 80A Grade Alloy</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1998927</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The current research work scrutinized the influence of plasma arc in the metallurgical and mechanical behavior of Nimonic 80A weldment. Defect free weld bead of 6 mm thickness was achieved in a single pass through plasma arc welding. The microstructure of weldment is decorated with cellular dendritic structure at the center and at the weld interface region columnar dendritic structure was observed. Metallurgical analysis showed the Cr and Ti secondary precipitates in the interdendritic region of the WZ. The existence of M23C6 and Cr2Ti were observed through the X-ray diffraction analysis. Both tensile test and microhardness test were conducted to study the mechanical properties of weldment. The result concluded that both the strength and ductility inferior than base metal and the hardness of the weld bead is similar to that of BMl.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:38:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1998927</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation of different cutting technologies in a ship recycling yard with simulation approach</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1930587</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The operational costs of ship recycling yards will increase since the new regulations require more stringent standards for preserving the occupational and environmental health and safety of the people involved in recycling activities. Improvement of the current operational procedures and current levels of productivity will be critical to survive in a competitive industry dominated by low-cost substandard yards. The main aim of this study is to increase the productivity of the yards through the improvement of processes. In this study, cutting operation in the secondary zone is investigated using discrete event simulation. Alternative cutting technologies have been tested in a simulation to assess their impact on production performance and operating costs. This study shows that plasma cutting is a good alternative to oxyfuel cutting. Overall research conducted in this study is significant contribution to the literature as a novel approach for modelling processes and for the implementation of cutting technologies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2022 09:40:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1930587</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimisation of cutting parameters and surface deformation during thin steel sheets plasma processing using Taguchi approach</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1870360</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Plasma machining was investigated for suitability to cut thin sheets and the quality obtained was assessed. The aim of this research was to analyse the impact of the heat generated from plasma cutting on thin sheet surface deformation and heat affected zones. Plasma cutting was assumed to be noneffective for processing thin material, this technology was known primely for cutting medium to thick plates. Tremendous work was performed previously to improve the quality. However, there are no scientific publications assessed the effect of the plasma heat on thin material under 1?mm and optimised optimise the process to reduce the phenomena resulted to their minimal. The traditional cutting methods were found to be limited and time consuming. This research can be beneficial for vehicle convertors such as wheelchair accessible vehicles or similar industries where conventional cutting methods are still predominant. Therefore, an automated plasma cutter if properly optimised would be an effective solution. CNC Plasma cutter with an automated torch height adjustment was used for this experiment to process a 0.6?mm thick deep drawing cold rolled DCO1 steel grade material. Tests were carried out varying the plasma parameters speed, pressure and intensity, the quality obtained was assessed. Three-dimensional Triplescan Atos model was used to measure the maximum surface deformation. Samples were sectioned, mounted, polished, mirrored and etched with 5% Nital acid to expose the material grains. Results were gathered on a tables, then Taguchi method and Analysis of Variance were used to optimise and analyse the parameters. Results showed an effective cut for thin materials. The optimal values obtained were 8000?mm/min, pressure 70?psi and Intensity 25?A for sheet deformation whereas heat affected zones was cutting speed 8500?mm/min, pressure 80?psi and Intensity 30?A. Cutting speed and intensity had the highest impact on deformation however heat affected zones was influenced mainly by the cutting speed. The study suggested also that a mathematical model can be constructed to predict the response for both phenomena and assess the relationship strength, the method used was least square error, the tests showed that the models fit adequately and can be trusted to predict new values. Lastly, a vehicle chassis was used for the test, the results showed an effective cutting on painted material, no second processing was required. Sealant under the material required removal on plasma pathway to avoid excess smoke or fire generation. An estimation was made for the underbody chassis cut out processing time and it was found that automated plasma can reduce the cycle time to just above 40?min.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2021 14:52:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1870360</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Holes Fabricated Using Plasma Arc Cutting</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1739071</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Modern plasma-cutting equipment and techniques can produce high-quality holes more economically than drilling and punching. However, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design and construction specifications do not permit the use of plasma-cut holes in primary bridge members due to a lack of experimental data demonstrating their fatigue and tensile strength. Additionally, it is uncertain if holes fabricated using plasma arc cutting meet the AASHTO requirements for hole size accuracy. This research shows that round open holes fabricated using plasma arc cutting would be an AASHTO category E fatigue detail. Bearing connections with nonpretensioned bolts installed in plasma-cut holes would be classified as category E′. Both results represent lower fatigue resistance compared to drilled or punched holes. Most tension members produced a tensile strength equal to or exceeding the theoretical nominal tensile strength. However, several tension members did not attain the theoretical nominal strength and a reduction factor was necessary when calculating the tensile resistance of a member with plasma-cut holes. Tension testing at low temperatures revealed that members with conventional plasma-cut holes can fail with brittle fracture and insignificant inelastic deformation. Lastly, the four fabricators used for this study provided a mostly consistent hole diameter over numerous samples. However, variation in diameter was large enough that close quality control was required.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2020 18:24:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1739071</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Simulations of Spark-Plug Transient Plasma Breakdown in Automotive Internal Combustion Engines</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1462164</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The arc breakdown phase in automotive spark-plugs is a sub-microsecond event that precedes the main spark event. This phase is typically characterized by strong non-equilibrium plasma phenomena with high voltage and currents. The nature of the initial breakdown phase has strong implications for the successful spark formation and the electrode erosion/lifetime. There are evidently very few studies that seek to characterize this phase in detail. The goal of this work is to investigate this non-equilibrium plasma arc breakdown phase, using high-fidelity computational modeling. We perform studies using the VizGlow non-equilibrium plasma modeling tool. During the early breakdown phase, the plasma forms thin filamentary streamers that provide the initial conductive channel across the gap. Once the streamers bridge the gap, the plasma begins to transition to a thermal arc. The redistribution of electrostatic potential across the gap during the breakdown phase causes a large electric field intensification near the cathode. This leads to significant ion bombardment on the electrode surface and fast gas heating, both of which can be attributed to electrode erosion.       ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jan 2018 09:31:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1462164</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Plasmonic in Metallic Nanostructures – Fabrication, Characterization and Applications in Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopy</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1429983</link>
      <description><![CDATA[We are witnessing a rapid and ongoing expansion of nanoscience, driven by potential applications in advanced materials and nanotechnology. There is a race to develop techniques that may allow controlling the size, shape of nanostructures that can allow the tuning of their optical and electronic properties. Plasmonics is a field that encompasses and profits from the optical enhancement in nanostructures that support plasmon excitations. One of these new techniques is surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), commonly used for nanostructure characterization. In the present report, we present a theoretical model for plasmon excitation and electric field enhancement that help to provide an explanation for the special features observed in experimental SERS. Two sets of experimental results are discussed illustrating the make out of the signature of the plasmonics producing the optical enhancement. The nanostructures used are silver colloids in dynamics experiments and spin coated metal island films       ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 May 2017 16:09:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1429983</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Proposal of AASHTO Fatigue Detail Categories for Structural Steels Containing Thermally Cut Edges and Cut Holes</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1415896</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Thermal cutting is a common engineering practice that is used to obtain the final shape of structural components. The characteristics of the cut surface and the material transformations caused by the cutting method determine the corresponding fatigue behavior. However, design codes, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design (AASHTO LRFD) bridge-design specifications, provide fatigue design curves for a limited number of situations. In the case of cut edges, only flame cutting is covered, whereas plasma and laser cutting are not associated to any category. In the case of cut holes, AASHTO specifications only consider the fatigue performance of drilled and punched holes, limiting the use of thermal cutting processes to, for example, produce bolt holes. All this restricts the use of thermal cut technologies in many applications. This paper analyzes the effects of flame, plasma and laser cutting on the fatigue behavior of cut edges and cut holes performed on structural steels. With this aim, an experimental program composed of 300 fatigue specimens has been completed. The obtained S-N results have been used to estimate the corresponding proposal of AASHTO detail categories.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2016 10:02:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1415896</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Bolt Holes Fabricated by Using Plasma Arc Cutting</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1393605</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Modern technologies for plasma cutting have the potential to produce bolt holes that perform on a par with those made by currently accepted methods and at the same time to reduce fabrication costs related to steel bridge construction. Current specifications do not allow holes in primary members to be formed by using plasma cutting. A lack of data showing how plasma-cut holes perform under fatigue and tensile loading inhibits their use in secondary members as well. This paper presents findings from an ongoing investigation into the structural performance of steel members with plasma-cut bolt holes. Specimens include members with a single plasma-cut hole and connection members. Material with plasma-cut holes was procured from four fabricators throughout various industries. Results from approximately 170 fatigue tests and 34 tensile tests are presented. Data from the fatigue tests show that under certain conditions, plasma-cut bolt holes perform comparably to drilled and punched holes. Results from tensile testing are mixed, with 29 of 34 tests exhibiting brittle failure, and most test specimens exceeding the tensile strength of the material. Geometric properties of the plasma-cut holes were measured as well and did not meet current specifications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2016 10:18:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1393605</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Surface Markings on the Mechanical Integrity of Weathering Bridge Steels</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1335453</link>
      <description><![CDATA[High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) weathering steels are the conventional material used for nonredundant fracture-critical members in bridge construction. Guidelines have been put in place by state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to prevent material suppliers from making scribe marks that will remain on the surface of fracture-critical members when in service, due to the possibility of degrading mechanical properties. Currently, any automated scribing marks allowed, namely mechanical milling, are either cut off of the member or subsequently welded over, thereby effectively removing them prior to service. All other markings are either manually die-stamped or spray-painted on. The lack of an automated capability to place markings on weathering steels slows production, and markings are often accidentally removed during sand blasting or shipping, which causes additional problems for the manufacturer and recipient. There is a need to establish safe, automated methods of scribing fracture-critical members such that markings will remain throughout the production process, but will not compromise the integrity over the lifetime of the part. Three automated techniques were of interest in this study as they are often already in the manufacturing process. These include mechanical milling, plasma scribing, and laser scribing. In this study, a microstructural evaluation of 50W weathering steel was conducted to understand and characterize the effect of the three markings on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. Plasma scribing resulted in the most noticeable surface marking. S-N curves generated through fatigue testing showed no measurable difference in fatigue life between marked and unmarked material.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2014 19:13:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1335453</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>PLASMA ARC CUTTING OF BRIDGE STEELS</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/481445</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This final report documents and presents the results of all tasks in NCHRP Project 10-40, Plasma Arc Cutting of Bridge Steels.  The ultimate objective was to produce a User's Guide for plasma arc cutting, supported by data generated in a comprehensive series of laboratory trials.  Trials included plasma cutting procedure development for five plasma cutting techniques, welding trials using submerged arc welding (SAW) and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) on plasma-cut edges, and detailed mechanical property testing, including tensile, impact toughness, and fatigue testing.  The plasma arc cutting process is a productive tool for plate cutting, and mechanical properties for weldments and free edges are good.  In general, as-cut plasma-cut edges performed better in fatigue than the benchmark of oxyfuel gas-cut and edge-rounded plate.  The primary parameters of the cutting process are arc current, cutting speed, and the plasma gas employed.  The presence of cutting defects and surface roughness controls the performance of free edges, particularly in fatigue.  Residual stress and hardness play a lesser role.  The primary parameters affecting performance of welded edges are the presence of welding defects, the heat input of the welding process, and the composition of the plasma-cut edge in that order.  The work also included a comprehensive review of current practice and research findings to establish the state of the art in plasma arc cutting in the bridge industry and other industries.  Information gathered from the literature and unpublished experiences of engineers and fabricators was evaluated and summarized.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 1997 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/481445</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AIR POWERS ALTERNATIVE</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/456936</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Well suited to a wide range of shipboard applications, portable air plasma cutting systems are proving to be particularly valuable for routine ship repair and steel renewal programs.  The article compares this portable method of cutting steel to traditional oxy-fuel systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 1996 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/456936</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>VARIETY OF CUTTING PROCESSES SPOIL FABRICATORS FOR CHOICE</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/446243</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There are a wide variety of non-contacting cutting technologies available on the market today.  In this article the author reviews a selection of the types available, and outlines their advantages and disadvantages.  He also considers to what extent such processes lend themselves to automation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 1995 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/446243</guid>
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