Full-Scale Instrumented Testing and Analysis of Matting Systems for Airfield Parking Ramps and Taxiways

Abstract

The U.S. military requires the ability to rapidly deploy troops, equipment, and materials anywhere in the world. Recent operations have brought attention to the need to utilize austere, unsurfaced, and sometimes sub-standard airfields within a theater of interest. These airfields may require additional taxiways and aprons. One option for the rapid construction of such is airfield matting systems. The focus of the work for this thesis was commercially available airfield matting systems to support large military transport aircraft, such as the C-17. Several test sections with differing strength soils were built with chosen mats tested in an elimination method, using a load cart that simulates contingency loading of one main gear of the C-17. Matting systems were evaluated based on logistical and assembly requirements, and deformation and damage sustained during traffic. A modeling effort was performed to investigate the potential of a simple model to predict the response of these matting systems under full-scale testing.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA476667

Entities

People

  • Chad A. Gartrell

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Engineered Resilient Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Second World War
  • Three Dimensional
  • Transport Aircraft
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

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  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Pavement Materials Engineering.