Instrumented Testing And Analysis of Airfield Matting Systems

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.

Autorentext

MSCE, Mississippi State University, 2007,BSCE, Mississippi State University, 1994,Licensed Professional Engineer, Mississippi. Over 14 years experience in civil engineering, including soils, pavements, railroads, site development, environmental, water, wastewater, and biosolids management. Worked in USA, South Korea, Europe, and Afghanistan.

Klappentext

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.