2 Apr 2025

VTIME Using ERDC as a Testbed with PLANNER

Abstract: This technical note documents the outcome of a September 2023 workshop titled “VTIME using ERDC as a Testbed with PLANNER.” PLANNER exists as a prototype installation master planning tool, operating as an application using the Virtual Toolbox for Installation Mission Effectiveness (VTIME) as a platform. The objectives of the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) FLEX-4 project for VTIME using “ERDC as a Testbed” with PLANNER included modeling and analyzing ERDC facilities using the PLANNER prototype and assessing the feasibility of ERDC as a pilot site for inclusion PLANNER implementation. The workshop aimed to demonstrate PLANNER for ERDC personnel and showcase a new installation planning capability that intends to transform the way the Army performs installation master planning by digitalizing and operationalizing master planning.

31 Mar 2025

Effects of Thermal Modification on the Flexure Properties, Fracture Energy, and Hardness of Western Hemlock

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of thermal modification on the flexural properties, transverse fracture energy, and hardness of western hemlock. Flexure tests on specimens featuring longitudinal and transverse grains showed that thermal modification at 167 °C leads to less statistical variability compared to unmodified samples. Additionally, thermal modification leads to a decrease in the transverse flexural strength. On the other hand, the fracture and Janka hardness tests revealed a more pronounced brittleness of the thermally modified samples. The total mode I fracture energy of modified single-edge notch bending samples was about 47% lower for radial–longitudinal systems and 60% lower for tangential–longitudinal systems. Similarly, the average Janka hardness in the tangential and transverse planes was 8.5% and 9.4% lower in the modified specimens, respectively. The results presented in this work show that thermal modification can have a significant effect on the fracturing behavior of west-ern hemlock and its energy dissipation capabilities. For design, this must be taken into serious consideration as these properties significantly influence the damage tolerance of this wood in the presence of stress concentrations such as those induced in bolted joints and cut outs. Fracture energy and hardness are also strongly correlated to ballistic performance.

21 Mar 2025

Cultural Landscape Management Plan for Mare Island Naval Cemetery, California

Abstract: This project was undertaken to provide the US Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration with a cultural landscape manage-ment plan for Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The approximately 2.5-acre cemetery is located in Vallejo, California, and contains more than 900 burials. Mare Island Naval Cemetery is part of the Mare Island Naval Ship-yard historic district, which was listed concurrently on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark in 1975. The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) was tasked with writing a cultural landscape management plan for Mare Island Naval Cemetery. Based upon the findings of the historic landscape inventory. Treatment recommendations were made to rehabilitate the historic landscape as well as to provide a sustainable plant list for the cemetery.

19 Feb 2025

The Geophysical Survey of Mare Island Naval Cemetery, California

Abstract: The US Congress codified the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), the nation’s most effective cultural resources legislation to date, mostly through establishing the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NHPA requires federal agencies to address their cultural resources, which are defined as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object. Section 110 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to inventory and evaluate their cultural resources, and Section 106 requires them to determine the effect of federal undertakings on those potentially eligible for the NRHP. This project was undertaken to provide the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA), with a geophysical survey of Mare Island Naval Cemetery. The approximately 2.5-acre cemetery is located in Vallejo, California, and contains more than 900 burials. Mare Island Naval Cemetery is part of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Historic District, which was listed concurrently on the National Register of Historic Places and as a national historic landmark in 1975.

18 Feb 2025

Birds Not in Flight: Using Camera Traps to Observe Ground Use of Birds at a Wind-Energy Facility

Abstract: Camera trapping is increasingly used to collect information on wildlife occurrence and behaviour remotely. This provides insights into habitat use by species of interest and gathers information on non-target species. We implemented ground-based camera trapping to investigate behaviours of ground-dwelling birds and to monitor activities of Agassiz’s desert tortoises at their self-constructed burrows in a wind-energy facility near Palm Springs, California. While doing so, we collected data on numerous burrow commensals, including birds. Monitoring from late spring to mid-autumn showed regular use of tortoise burrows by 12 species of birds, the most abundant being the rock wren. Birds appeared to use the interior or vicinity of burrows for gathering nesting material, displaying, feeding, dust bathing and other activities. Of the species observed, 10 are known to be occasional casualties of turbine-blade strikes. Using camera traps focused at ground level can be a useful tool in avian conservation effort for measuring bird presence, activity and behaviour in altered habitats. Acquiring data over the long term by using ground-based monitoring with camera traps could add to our understanding of avian behaviour and habitat use in relation to wind-energy infrastructure and operations, and help determine the vulnerability of avifauna utilizing the area.

30 Jan 2025

Investigation of Bioplastic Degradation for Military In-Field Applications Implementation of Sustainable Practices into the US Military for Rapid Biodegrading Polylactic Acid (PLA) Plastic in Compostable Environments

Abstract: The Army Climate Strategy has identified goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach net-zero Army GHG emissions by 2050. Producing fossil-fuel-based plastics releases GHG emissions and plastic bottles are difficult to dispose, especially in contingency locations. Soldiers prefer hydrating with plastic water bottles, which leads to GHG emissions. This project investigates using bioplastics for water bottles. These bioplastics are produced from natural materials and can break down faster with alternative disposal methods, such as composting. Challenges include finding a material with a stable shelf life and the capability to hold water, but also one that that degrades with ease in the right composting environment. As part of this project, partners at the University of Minnesota are developing a new polylactic acid (PLA) material to fit the material properties needed for this application. Their research is ongoing. Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) researchers tested commercial PLA in calorimeter and incubator studies and with a full-scale demonstration of the commercial composting Sustainable Generation Mobile System. The PLA did not completely degrade, and testing showed mixed results on finished compost quality. Recommendations included continued testing, experimenting with other bioplastics, and changing compost feedstock variables.

28 Jan 2025

“One Grand, Glorious National Cause”: A Cultural Geography of the Veterans Affairs Built Environment

Abstract: The United States government has a long history of providing medical, financial, and burial benefits to American Veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its predecessor agencies constructed much of the built environment that served as a conduit for these benefits. Today, the VA manages and maintains more than 15,000 buildings and structures to serve the Veteran community. To facilitate the transfer of property rights of its vacant and underutilized properties and ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation issued a Program Comment at the request of the VA on 26 October 2018. The Program Comment mitigation requires the VA to produce a readily accessible public-benefit document of interest to a wide audience composed of Veterans and lay people. This book provides that public-benefit document through a cultural geography of the built environment of VA facilities. This book focuses on the sense of place developed by Veterans toward VA facilities and covers three generational periods as defined by the VA: post–Civil War through World War I, World War I through the end of World War II, and post–World War II through 1958.

21 Jan 2025

Moffett Field Naval Chapel (Building 86) and Boiler House (Building 87): Historic Materials Maintenance Manual

Abstract: The Moffett Field Naval Chapel and boiler house are located on the Moffett Federal Airfield, Santa Clara, California. Constructed circa 1945, both buildings are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A for associations with the post–WWII Moffett Field expansion and under Criterion C as a representative example of Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks chapel construction and as a true representative example of the Spanish colonial revival style in the region. Their period of significance is 1945–1986, before major renovations were completed at the site. All buildings, especially historic ones, require regular planned maintenance and repair. The most notable cause of historic building element failure or decay is not the fact that the historic building is old, but rather it is caused by incorrect or inappropriate repair and basic neglect of the historic building fabric. This document is a maintenance manual compiled with as-is conditions of construction materials of the Moffett Field Naval Chapel. The Secretary of Interior Guidelines on rehabilitation and repair per material are discussed to provide a guide to maintain this historic building. This report satisfies Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 as amended and will help to manage this historic building.

7 Jan 2025

Exploring Lidar Odometry Within the Robot Operating System

Abstract: Here, we explore various lidar odometry approaches (with both 3 and 6 degrees of freedom) in simulation. We modified a virtual model of a TurtleBot3 robot to work with the various odometry approaches and evaluated each method within a gazebo simulation. The gazebo model was configured to generate an absolute ground truth for comparison to the odometry results. We used the evo package to compare the ground truth with the various lidar odometry values. The results for KISS-ICP and laser scan matcher (LSM), including two simultaneous localization and map-ping (SLAM) approaches, Fast Lidar-Inertial Odometry (FAST-LIO), and Direct Lidar Odometry (DLO), are provided and discussed. We also tested one of the approaches on our physical robot.

2 Jan 2025

Inventory and Evaluation of 12 Miscellaneous Buildings for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) at Custer Hill Area, Fort Riley, Kansas: Volume 1

Abstract: The US Congress codified the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), the nation’s most effective cultural resources legislation to date, mostly through establishing the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NHPA requires federal agencies to address their cultural resources, which are defined as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object. Section 110 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to inventory and evaluate their cultural resources, and Section 106 requires them to determine the effect of federal undertakings on those potentially eligible for the NRHP. This two-volume report documents an architectural survey of 12 miscellaneous buildings and structures constructed from 1960 through 1976 in the Custer Hill area at Fort Riley, Kansas. Volume 1 includes an analysis of the eligibility of these buildings and structures to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and satisfies Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. Volume 2 contains individual building inventory forms, and its access is controlled by Fort Riley for security reasons. During the covered period, Fort Riley’s primary mission was training recruits for deployment to South Vietnam. As a result, the relevant theme developed for determining historical significance for these 12 buildings at Fort Riley is Recruit Training for Ground Combat in Vietnam. Of the facilities inventoried, none achieved significance under this theme for Criterion A. These buildings do not embody a distinctive characteristic of a type, period, or method of construction, do not represent the work of a master, and do not possess high artistic value under Criterion C. Therefore, no buildings were determined to be eligible to the NRHP. This work fulfills Section 110 requirements for these buildings.