Brick Paving Systems in Expeditionary Environments: Field Testing
Abstract
Personnel of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center were tasked by Headquarters, Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, to determine the feasibility of using face bricks as an alternative to concrete or asphalt paving for low-volume roads and military aircraft parking aprons in expeditionary environments. Because paving materials and equipment can be scarce in these areas, the use of recycled bricks from existing infrastructure might provide a local resource for constructing pavements suitable for meeting the military's mission requirements. The field testing documented in this report follows a laboratory study in which a series of tests, including compressive strength, absorption, Los Angeles abrasion, and specific gravity, were conducted on selected face bricks. The success of the laboratory testing led to the full-scale field testing and evaluation of the face bricks under a commercial dump truck load of approximately 54,000 lb and then under a 45,000-lb single-wheel C-17 aircraft load cart. The field testing indicated that brick-paved roads constructed with a moderately high strength base are capable of sustaining more than 10,000 passes of truck traffic without failure. The same brick-paved roads were not capable of withstanding C-17 aircraft traffic. Further results from the evaluation are presented, including material characterization test data, rut depth measurements, wheel path and cross-section profile measurements, instrumentation response data, and forensic assessments. Recommendations for continuing the study through the use of additional full-scale test sections also are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA571165
Entities
People
- Haley P. Bell
- Quint Mason
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center