INDUSTRY & SERVICES : INFRASTRUCTURE  

Research and Development (R&D)

The role of Research and Development (R&D) in the road sector is to update the specification for road and bridge works to introduce new testing techniques and equipments for effective quality control in projects, to introduce emerging construction materials in projects and to recommend new techniques for highway construction and maintenance. With the availability of modern construction machinery in the country, the specifications for the road and bridge works need periodic review. The research schemes sponsored by the Ministry are generally applied in nature, which, once completed would enable them to be adopted by user agencies/ Departments in their work in the field. The areas covered are roads, road transport, bridges, traffic and transportation engineering etc.

Research Schemes nearing Completion in 2010-11

  • Pilot Study on Effect of Overloading on road Infrastructure.
  • Compilation and printing of Technical circulars and Directives on National Highways and Centrally Sponsored Road and Bridge Projects, issued by the Ministry.

Research Schemes in Progress in 2011-12

Roads:

  • R&D studies on performance evaluation of Rigid Pavements on High Density traffic corridors using instrumentation supported by laboratory tests.
  • Investigation on field performance of Bituminous mixes with modified binders.
  • Testing of Pavements using seismic waves.
  • Preparation of manual on the construction of the composite pavement.
  • Guidelines for Soil Nailing Technique on Highway Engineering.

Bridges:

  • Study of corrosion susceptible of steel reinforcement protected with anti-corrosive coating/ special treatment in ordinary and high performance concrete.
  • Creation of Complete range of independent testing facilities for expansion joints at CRRI.
  • Development of an expert system for distress diagnosis of concrete bridge (Fuzzy based).
  • Hydraulic Model Investigations for design of raft foundation for bridges.
  • Geogrid reinforced granular bed in approaches for bridge abutments.

Traffic & Transportation

  • Development of GIS based National Highways Information System.

R&D Proposals Under Consideration

Roads:

  • Use of waste and marginal materials in road construction.
  • Application of different types of edge drains for pavement drainage.
  • Life cycle cost of rigid pavements.
  • Improvement of highway drainage with geo-composites, porous concrete etc.
  • Quick/non-destructive testing equipment for improving quality.

Bridges:

  • Revision of existing standard design and plans for various types of Bridge Superstructures.

Policy Framework

Major Policies in Road & Highway Sector are as follows-

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