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Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) QPR ContentsThe principal investigator of each UTCA project will make quarterly progress reports to the UTCA director. The reports are due on or before the end of each quarter of the calendar year (March 30, June 30, September 30, and December 31). The reports should be simple (about 2 pages in length) but concisely state the status of the project. The purpose is to document that the work is progressing properly and is following the work plan contained in the approved proposal.
The report
should address the following topics, using the subtitles indicated:
g.) any planned changes to the project budget, including steps to obtain approval (the quarterly report can be used to request budget changes, but such a request must be clearly identified to the UTCA Executive Committee) h.) other pertinent details or view points Example QPRs To assist faculty members in preparing Quarterly Progress Reports, several examples are given below. These are actual QPR's submitted by UTCA PIs. Please note that they are somewhat different in format, style and content. In some aspects they may not even follow the QPR instructions to the exact letter. But there is one overwhelming point that should be noticed about these examples; they are very clear in transmitting the status of the projects and the status of the budgets. Please note that your QPRs do not have to follow the formats
shown below, nor do they have to be as extensive. However,
they do have to be clear and complete in identifying the status of
your project and your budget.
Quarterly Progress ReportJuly 1 to September 30, 2001
Principal Investigator: Houssam A. Toutanji, UAH Co-Principal Investigator Shen-en Chen, UAB Graduate Student: Padmaja Guggilla, UAH Undergraduate Student Bryan Cheatwood, UAH
Project No: 01327 Project Title: “Development of a New Experimental Approval for Bridge Deck Evaluation” Project Duration: January 1, 2001 to July 31, 2001 Amount of Funding: $53,948 (UTCA) and $54,291 (matching funds); $43,948 for UAH and $10,000 for UAB.
Work completed during the Quarter: Note that Tasks One and Two are completed. This discussion focuses on Task 3 – “Lab Tests”
Introduction -The ultrasonic velocity instrument that was originally designed and used by NASA for gas bubbles identification has been re-calibrated for identification of voids and cracks in concrete materials. Concrete samples, whose mix and dimensions were carefully controlled, were used to validate the instrument for crack/void identification. Results show that the instrument can be successfully used for identifying flaws and cracks in concrete materials.
The following milestones were accomplished during the third quarter of this study: (i) identification of cracks and flaws using the bubble-sizing instrument that was originally designed and used by NASA for gas bubble identification; (ii) calibration of the system to be used for both ultrasonic and audible signals (iii) meeting with Dr. Chen of UAB and Mr. Conway of ALDOT to confer with them on the progress of the research and the possibility of using the technique for AL bridge decks.
Results - Concrete blocks with specified size air bubbles have the least amplitude in the frequency vs. amplitude spectrum. Concrete blocks with corroded steel bars have the highest peak (amplitude) in the frequency vs. amplitude spectrum. All the blocks, which have voids, gave different spectra as they are of different materials and simulated voids. All results indicate that this ultrasonic velocity instrument can quantify the kind of voids present in the concrete slabs. However, we still have some difficulties in finding the size and volume of the voids using this instrument. Different approaches are being tried such as using a lower frequency transducer. Numerical analysis will be conducted for the purpose of predicting the size, volume and location of the voids.
Conclusion - The problem with the existing ultrasonic wave velocity techniques is that the results cannot be duplicated. This instrument is a promising instrument in quantifying the type of voids and cracks inside the concrete. It utilizes very powerful software such as LABVIEW program, which provide accurate results. After calibrating the instrument, the device can predict voids of different sizes, as small as few microns and as big as few centimeters. In addition, it can use both ultrasonic waves and audible frequency signals. If audible frequency signals are used, bigger void sizes under some assumptions can be found. The size, volume and depth of the voids and cracks are still investigated and it will be the focus of the research of the next three months.
Problems Encountered: None as of yet.
Work Plan for the Next Quarter: The next three months of the research will be focused on predicting the size of cracks and their location.
Change in Financial Discussion (tentative):
Note: 1) Data provided by UAH Accounting and Financial Reporting. 2) No-cost extension has been granted until July 31, 2002. 3) $10,000 subcontract was given to UAB; as of September 30, 2001, they have not billed us with any expenses.
Any Planned Changes to the Project Budget: None. Other Pertinent Details or View Points: None.
UTCA Quarterly Report April 1 - June 30, 2000
a) PROJECT TITLE, DURATION, AND AMOUNT OF FUNDING: "Local Roads Bridge Replacement Prioritization Database (BRPD)" 12 Months: 1 Feb00 - 31 Jan 01 $52,320 UTCA + $13,500 Outside Match + $38,821 UAB Match
b) PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR AND DEPARTMENT: Dr. James S. DavidsonUAB Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 1075 13th Street South (Hoehn Building) Birmingham, AL 35294-4440 (205) 934-8435 fax: 934-9855 jsdavidso@eng.uab.edu
c) WORK COMPLETED DURING THE QUARTER:
Other Activities: -Followed up with representatives of Sherman (Pipe Division & Prestressed Products Division). -Presented program to Southeastern Local Roads Conference in Point Clear, Alabama (May 15-17). Discussed the project briefly with ALDOT County Transportation Engineer, and others at the conference. -Received and processed results of focus group surveys. -Conducted ongoing literature research on existing bridge management technologies. Roughed in a working outline for a thesis and white paper on findings to date. -Reviewed the existing techniques that use regression and linear programming methods to predict and prioritize existing bridge structures. -Identified key components of typical LT-20 structures and initiated process of modifying existing program techniques to accommodate these structures was initiated. -Began developing a “step-by-step” guide to assist the beta testers in inspecting the structures within their county. -Discussed modifications that will be necessary to make the Local Roads BRPD more diverse and user friendly as each county’s input data may greatly vary.
d) PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED: None.
e) WORK PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER:
-Organize information-sharing meetings between representatives of UAB UA. -Train field inspection team for onsite training and inspections of beta counties. -Visit beta counties/municipalities, review inspection activities with local bridge inspectors, identify a test group of structures. -Supervise a full inspection of Shelby County LT20’s. -Evaluate initial results of beta testing program. -Prepare database fields, types, and equations for programming into Windows interface compliant with ODBC standards. -Request appropriate ALDOT, county, municipality, and higher education officials’ participation as Steering Committee. -Prepare drafts of inspection data sheets, report sheets, and database input sheets.
f) BUDGET STATUS: as of June 30, 2000
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