Shock-Absorbing Concrete (SACON) Bullet Traps for Small Arms Ranges Cost and Performance Report
Abstract
The Environmental Security Technology Certification Program funded a technology demonstration of shock-absorbing concrete (SACON) bullet trapping technology. SACON is a low-density, fiber-reinforced, foamed concrete developed by the Structures Laboratory of the Engineering Research & Development Center. It offers significant benefits in comparison to current commercial off-the-shelf bullet trapping technologies. SACON provides a means of effectively capturing and containing lead on small arms ranges without sacrificing training realism. Demonstration objectives focused on identifying and validating the performance, cost safety, logistics, training realism, and recycling aspects of the SACON material. SACON bullet traps tested in a 25-Meter Range application contained 87 percent of the bullets fired at the trap. Exposure of the bullet debris to the SACON material and weathering resulted in the formation of insoluble lead corrosion products and the generation of nonhazardous waste products. The application of SACON reduced localized soil erosion typically found in the vicinity of target emplacements. Ricochet testing results indicated bullet impacts were within the surface danger zones for the range types chosen for demonstration. A nonrecurring cost of approximately $1600 per land and an annual cost of $3800 per lane were estimated to outfit a 20-lane, 25-Meter Range.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA373984