10 Jun 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Full-Scale Testing of Commercially Available Cementitious Backfill and Surface Capping Materials for Crater Repairs

Abstract: The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery (RADR) program currently utilizes rapid-setting flowable fill (RSFF) and rapid-setting concrete (RSC) for backfilling and capping crater repairs. These materials have been proven successful through many full-scale tests, troop demonstrations, and live flight trafficking. However, only one proprietary product is currently approved for each material. Two candidate capping materials and one backfill material were evaluated by conducting simulated crater repairs and collecting appropriate data. For capping products, both small (8.5 ft x 8.5 ft) and large (15 ft x 15 ft) repairs were conducted and trafficked with simulated F-15E aircraft traffic. For the backfill material, three small repairs were backfilled and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) was estimated at cure times of 0.5, 2, and 24 hr. Overall, repairs capped with Western Materials Fastrac 246 failed after only 2,000 passes, so the material is not currently recommended for approval. Repairs capped with Buzzi Unicem Ulti-Pave3® were able to sustain 3,500 passes before trafficking was ceased, so this material is recommended for approval as a crater repair capping material. CTS rapid-setting flowable fill backfill exhibited lower than expected CBR values and did not allow timely percolation of mix water, so it is not currently recommended for approval at this time.

30 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Effects of Boric Acid and Water Content on Fundamental Properties of Proprietary Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) Products

Abstract: Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) have been used for decades in proprietary products for pavement repairs. However, products with high exothermic temperatures have short working times, and research is needed to overcome these unfavorable characteristics. The effects of different boric acid and water contents on the fundamental properties of concrete was investigated through 34 trial batch modifications on the following commercially available MPC products: (1) Premier Magnesia’s PREMag PGDM, (2) BASF Master Builder’s MasterEmaco T545, and (3) CeraTech Inc.’s Pavemend TR. Overall results indicated that the increase of boric acid and water content produced favorable decreased temperatures and increased set times but retardation in the early age development of compressive strength. Modifications in the PREMag PGDM product resulted in poor workability, inaccurate time of setting due to a thixotropic nature, and unacceptable compressive strength loss. The Pavemend TR product was significantly affected by the addition of boric acid resulting in nonrecoverable compressive and bond strength loss, excessive expansions, failure at low freezing and thawing cycles, and unacceptable times of setting for rapid-repair applications. The T545 product showed promising performance with 28-day recovery in compressive, flexural, and bond strengths and minimal differences in other properties when compared to the control mixture.

29 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Laboratory Characterization of Rapid-Setting Flowable Fill

Abstract: Utility Fill One-Step 750® is a rapid-setting flowable fill product that has previously been validated in numerous full-scale demonstrations as an expedient backfill solution for Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery. Although the field performance of Utility Fill One-Step 750® has been extensively documented, a full laboratory characterization has not been conducted. This report analyzes and documents results from several laboratory tests conducted at two water to-product ratios. The tests conducted are based on the suite of tests that make up the triservice spall repair certification program used for rapid-setting concrete products. Tests include strength and set time-related properties, typical parameter control tests for concrete, and tests to determine the mineralogy and chemical makeup of the material. Long-term expansion and contraction properties were also tested. The data presented herein are intended to provide an overall assessment of Utility Fill One-Step 750® and to provide reasonable estimates of various design parameters. The results can be used as a basis for the future development of a formal laboratory certification protocol to down-select other rapid-setting flowable fill products for further evaluation.

28 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Feasibility Investigation of Inductive Heating of Asphalt Repair Materials

Abstract: Airfield pavement repairs conducted as part of rapid airfield damage recovery (RADR) activities must utilize suitable materials to reduce the need for subsequent repairs in order to maintain an operable pavement surface. For asphalt concrete pavements, hot mix asphalt (HMA) is typically used, but this requires a fairly large operation and is less practical for small repairs (e.g., small munitions damage, potholes). Instead, cold mix asphalt (CMA) is typically used for small repairs; however, its performance under aircraft loads is generally unacceptable.  The objective of this project was to investigate the feasibility of rapidly heating small-repair quantities (e.g., 5 gal buckets) of asphalt mix to hot mix temperatures in a matter of minutes. This objective was met using 15% steel aggregate by volume to produce an inductive HMA (iHMA) that could be heated from ambient to 320°F in approximately 5 min. This technology was demonstrated at full scale with a prototype field induction heater; iHMA patch repairs were subjected to simulated F-15E traffic and exhibited comparable rutting resistance to conventional HMA, which was considerably improved relative to CMA. Overall, iHMA was found to be a feasible repair material and should be considered for additional refinement and eventual implementation.

23 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Conspecific Attraction as a Management Tool for Endangered and At-Risk Species on Military Lands

Abstract: Movements of wildlife species and associated colonization of habitats is often unpredictable, potentially leading to ineffective management and/or interference with military training. Habitat restoration for wildlife management on military lands is a common, yet expensive, response to federal conservation and mitigation mandates, yet viable wildlife populations often fail to become established on restored habitat. Conspecific attraction, using the tendency for individuals of the same species to settle near one another, can be a cost-effective means of attracting animals to newly created or restored habitats. This work demonstrated the use of conspecific attraction as an alternative tool for encouraging colonization of restored habitats by at-risk birds and amphibians. Conspecific attraction was relatively straightforward to employ, but its effectiveness varied among species. We demonstrated clear success in attracting some bird (northern bobwhite; Colinus virginianus) and frog (wood frogs; Lithobates sylvaticus) species into our target areas but other species showed a neutral response. Conspecific attraction presents a cost-effective alternative to current management practices such as translocation or colonization after habitat is created or restored. Only minimal equipment costs (<$300/broad-cast station) and nominal work-hours are required to set up the equipment, and total cost was ~$1,200 per demonstration plot annually.

14 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Species Distribution Modeling of Ixodes scapularis and Associated Pathogens in States East of the Mississippi River

 Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/35615Report Number: ERDC/GRL TR-20-2Title: Species Distribution Modeling of Ixodes scapularis and Associated Pathogens in States East of the Mississippi RiverBy Kathleen V. Payne, Sean P. Griffin, Susan L. Lyon, Robin E. Lopez, and Nicole M. WayantApproved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited

7 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Development of Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) Concrete Mixture Proportioning for Airfield Pavements: Laboratory and Field Validation MPC Test Report

 Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/35475Report Number: ERDC/GSL TR-20-4Title: Development of Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) Concrete Mixture Proportioning for Airfield Pavements:Laboratory and Field Validation MPC Test ReportBy Monica A. Ramsey, Dylan A. Scott, Charles A. Weiss Jr., and Jeb S. TingleApproved for Public Release; Distribution

1 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Guidelines for Minimizing Potable Water Loss Due to Water Distribution System Flushing

 Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/35258Report Number: ERDC/CERL TR-20-1Title: Guidelines for Minimizing Potable Water Loss Due to Water Distribution System FlushingBy Elisabeth M. Jenicek, Victoria E. Heath, Noah W. Garfinkle, and Andy HurApproved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited January 2020Abstract: Executive Order 13834 (White