Use of Shock-Absorbing Concrete (SACON) as an Environmentally Compatible Bullet-Trapping Medium on Small-Arms Training Ranges
Abstract
Shock-absorbing concrete (SAC ON) is a low-density, fiber-reinforced, foamed concrete that is used as an energy absorbing material. SACON has found wide applications in the construction of live-fire training villages and the fabrication of target structures. SACON is manufactured by blending sand, portland cement, and water with an aqueous-based foam and a steel or polymer fiber. Typically the resulting concrete will have a density that is approximately one-half that of conventional concrete and an unconfined compressive strength that is one-third to one-fourth that of conventional concrete. SACON offers numerous advantages over wood, rubber tires, or earth berms in trapping bullets on small-arms firing ranges. It will not burn, does not rot, and does not have to be protected from insects. SACON does not erode away, typically maintains an alkaline condition that can slow down metal corrosion and, it is a closed-cell, foamed solid that has low leachability. The current study was undertaken to develop design data for SACON to be used as bullet traps on training ranges. Test blocks were fired on using the M16 rifle with M855 ball ammunition so that the effects of multiple impacts at a single point could be assessed. The bullet debris that accumulated in thick blocks of SACON did not produce ricochets, even when thousands of rounds were fired at a single point. Pockets or cavities containing bullet debris were developed in some block as shooting continued. The debris deflected incoming bullets upward in the blocks and eventually bullets would crack the top surface of the block. Polypropylene fiber-reinforced SACON performed in a manner comparable to steel fiber-reinforced SACON. Examination of samples of dust produced by the bullet impacts showed that bullet-to-bullet impacts can result in metal particles that can be detected in the dust.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADP017714
Entities
People
- Gene L. Fabian
- Joe G. Tom
- Philip G. Malone
- Richard H. O'donnell