The Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment (ORITE) offers a multidisciplinary approach to solving environmental and transportation problems. Founded in 1987, ORITE currently conducts more than $5 million in government and industry supported research. It also develops and sponsors workshops, conferences, and other technology transfer efforts.

ORITE formerly was known as the Center for Geotechnical and Environmental Research (CGER). Although its 1997 name change reflects the institute's broader interests, CGER remains an important part of ORITE's work. The center was one of the first in the nation to integrate environmental and geotechnical engineering.

Research equipment available to ORITE includes:

	MTS hydraulic loading devices
	Resilient Modulus Device to evaluate mechanical properties of asphalt concrete mixes
	Multiaxial machines
	Direct shear tester
	Georgia Wheel Tester to perform accelerated tests on the rutting stability of asphalt concrete mixes
	Beam fatigue device to determine long-term fatigue resistance to loading of asphalt concrete mixes
	Gyratory compactor
	Centrifuge with capacity up to 200 gravities
	25-ton cone penetrometer truck technology
	Automated dynamic cone penetrometer
	Sensors for field data acquisition
	Ground-penetrating radar for downhole and surface investigation
	Three field research vehicles

Among ORITE's most important achievements is the Accelerated Pavement Load Facility (APLF) located in Lancaster, Ohio. A consortium with The Ohio State University, the $1.65 million APLF allows researchers to apply repeated loads of up to 30,000 pounds over sections of asphalt or concrete pavement under tightly controlled environmental conditions from 10° to 130°F. This unique facility - which simulates two 12-foot-wide adjacent lanes with 4- and 10-foot shoulders - allows researchers to assess overall performance of pavements more quickly and with more confidence that can be achieved with constructed test sections or in-service pavements. An 8-foot deep pit allows for construction of any desired base and subgrade. In addition, the heavy duty loading mechanism allows evaluation of various tire configurations and load levels on a variety of pavements. This facility is used in conjunction with the national test road on U.S. 23 near Delaware, Ohio.

Other facilities include a large outdoor load cell facility near the Athens campus, which allows testing of underground structures - particularly pipes - by applying loads up to 1 million pounds. Pipes ranging in size from 6 to 60 inches have been installed at different depths with varying types of backfill. The resulting data provides valuable information on the design and performance of pipe.

Led by ORITE's Associate Director, Dr. Shad Sargand, ORITE has conducted nationally recognized research on pipes and culverts for more than a decade. Investigations have been performed at field sites in the Midwest, as well as at the outdoor load cell facility and its deep installation field site. At the load cell facility, Dr. Teruhisa Masada and Dr. Sargand are focusing on applicability of flowable-fill material for backfilling thermoplastic pipe structures. ORITE researchers also are studying structural performance of thermoplastic pipe under deep backfill conditions at the deep installation site.

The Computational Laboratory for Pavement Research features state-of-the-art computers, workstations, and data storage for information obtained throughout the state and nation to assist researchers as they study and model pavement performance.

ORITE uses a large centrifuge capable of holding up to 100 pounds at a distance of 4.46 feet to study and predict field performances and failure modes of prototype structures. With a maximum acceleration of 200 times normal gravity, the centrifuge aids study of the effects of large forces on pipes and bridge models and flow of liquids through porous materials.

Subsurface investigations are conducted with a 25-ton cone penetrometer test system, surface and downhole ground-penetrating radar systems, and a dynamic cone penetrometer. These systems provide information on stratigraphy, soil properties or other subsurface materials, contamination of soils and groundwater, and anomalies in pavement structures.