Evaluation of Soil Loss and Erosion Control Measures on Ranges and Range Structures at Installations in Temperate Climates
Abstract
The Department of Defense operates the largest and most diverse training enterprise in the world. The Army has under its authority 1.3 million uniformed and civilian personnel at over 4100 locations using over 61 million square kilometers of land. Providing realistic and effective training is a key element in fulfilling the military mission. The sustainable use of military training lands presents a challenge to maintaining combat preparedness. Range managers need cost-effective long-term solutions that alleviate maintenance requirements and increase training intervals. Guidelines on the design of small arms ranges to prevent erosion have been developed. However, these guidelines do not incorporate sustainable range elements into the overall design, and without proper soil and water conservation, large ranges have the potential to contribute greatly to overall installation erosion. This research evaluates design weaknesses and develops an improved design methodology for embankments, firing points, and targeting impact positions on training ranges. Additionally recommendations are outlined that propose specific guidelines for range structures: defilades, stationary armor targets and moving armor targets that reduce soil loss and improve training realism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA467835
Entities
People
- Dick L. Gebhart
- Niels G. Svendsen
- Prasanta K. Kalita
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center