CRSI Graduate Research

Fellowship Program 2012-2013

Research Proposal Submission Requirements Please use the following format when submitting graduate research fellowship proposals to the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI). The proposal should be prepared on one side of a printed page, with 1 inch margins all around. Use 11 point Times Roman font for the body text, 1.5 lines spacing. Proposal submissions are to be written in English. Failure to comply with these requirements will constitute a non-responsive submission. The proposal should have the following components: 1. COVER PAGE Date Project Title Professor (Name, title, department, e-mail address) University Information (Address, telephone, and fax) Cover graphics (optional)

2. PROPOSAL BODY This portion of the proposal is not to exceed ten (10) pages in length, including any figures or tables. Concise submissions in fewer than ten (10) pages for this part of the proposal are encouraged. Project Objective Concisely state the purpose of the research. Describe the problem(s) to be solved or what innovation, if any, will be developed. Project Significance (optional) Elaborate on how this research affects the use of steel reinforcement in concrete. Does it have any (immediate) Code implications? Or will it be incorporated into a committee report and be further accepted as enhanced state of the art or practice? Background Provide a short synopsis of the problem and background information relevant to your understanding of the problem. Cite previous research studies and what is contained in the literature on the subject matter. Please keep this write-up brief and not to exceed three (3) pages.

CRSI Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2012-2013 Project Description and Research Plan

6 January 2012 Page 2 of 4

The research plan shall detail the project work program, including the submission of a final report. Describe how the objectives will be achieved through a logical, innovative, and rational scientific plan. Outline your proposed test method, specimen types, etc. Be concise, yet include sufficient detail to describe the approach to solve the problem. The CRSI R&D Committee wants to ensure you understand the problem and how you plan to conduct testing to examine the problem. Number the tasks to illustrate the anticipated progression of the project. Facilities Statement State what equipment your institution has available and is planned for use on this project. State if additional equipment is needed. Itemize the supplies you have assumed a CRSI member company will reasonably supply gratis to the project (reinforcing bars, tie wire, chairs, mechanical splices, etc.). State whether or not you have made contact with a local member CRSI company already to facilitate this donation. Schedule Provide an anticipated schedule for completion of the stated research tasks, in accordance with the projected start date. Report State when the final report or thesis will be completed. The final report must be in a format suitable for potential publication as a CRSI Research Report. Also, the report should be submitted in an electronic format to allow for distribution from our website. Further publication as a paper in a refereed technical journal is encouraged, with acknowledgement of the CRSI funding. Allow the CRSI Research and Development (R & D) Committee three (3) months for review of the draft manuscript or report prior to publishing. CRSI will provide the graphic standards and format for the final CRSI Research Report. Technical Note In order to encourage the technology transfer of the sponsored research and recognize the accomplishments of the research team, the researchers will prepare a draft CRSI Technical Note on the research findings. We envision this to be no more than a condensed version of the technical paper or executive summary of the research report, with appropriate illustrations and photographs. CRSI Staff will work with the researchers to finalize the CRSI Technical Note.

3. APPENDIX A RESEARCH FACILITIES Not to exceed two (2) pages. Provide a brief description of your research facilities, supplemented with illustrations. A divider sheet designating the Appendices will not count

CRSI Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2012-2013

6 January 2012 Page 3 of 4

against the page limit. A boilerplate pamphlet description of your laboratory facility will suffice for this requirement.

4. APPENDIX B STAFFING Not to exceed two (2) pages for each research team member. Provide a brief description of area of expertise and background of the professor serving as principal investigator (PI). Optionally, provide same for graduate student working on the project, if known.

5. APPENDIX C FEE SCHEDULE Provide a clearly organized breakdown of the project fees anticipated for the project, including any matching funds to be used to supplement the CRSI Award. CRSI limits the amount of institutional overhead that may be charged to 15 percent of direct costs. However, it is our preference that the proposer excludes university overhead costs to maximize the award to the student and the project. Cost sharing is an important aspect to support and sustain this CRSI Education & Research (E&R) Foundation sponsored research award. The (lead) university is responsible for securing, retaining, managing, certifying and delivering of cost sharing. The total level of cost sharing is the responsibility of the lead university, but can include contributions by any or all of proposed project partners. As a minimum, cost sharing will include indirect costs on the funds required from the CRSI E&R Foundation. The proposed cost sharing must be shown in the proposal budget. The graduate student fellowship award is $30,000. Include a line item budget amount of $1,500 (above the award amount) for domestic travel expenses to the CRSI Fall Meeting(s) in Chicago. Research results are expected to be communicated in a presentation format by the graduate student at a CRSI R&D Committee Meeting in Chicago. Research Needs A list of current research needs in our industry is included with this solicitation. Proposals will be considered for research topics not included on this list, as long as the topic pertains to steel reinforced concrete. CRSI is dedicated to funding practical research having direct benefits to the reinforced concrete design and construction communities. Closure An electronic submission of the proposal is due on Friday 17 February 2012 to the undersigned by 5 pm, Central Time. The submission should be in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). The electronic submission will be accompanied by submission of paper copies of the proposal. Bound proposals (one (1) copy) are due at the CRSI offices in Schaumburg, Illinois by the end of the next business day (Monday 20 February 2012). Please include a CD with an

CRSI Graduate Research Fellowship Program 2012-2013

6 January 2012 Page 4 of 4

electronic copy of the proposal in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF format for distribution to the review committee, and in the event the e-mailed submission cannot be opened properly.

Submit the proposal to: Neal S. Anderson, PE, SE Vice President of Engineering Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) 933 North Plum Grove Road Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 847.517.1200 | fax: 847.517.1206 nanderson@crsi.org www.crsi.org

Good luck on your submission.