scholarly journals The Viability and Simplicity of 3D-Printed Construction: A Military Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Jeneé Jagoda ◽  
Brandy Diggs-McGee ◽  
Megan Kreiger ◽  
Steven Schuldt
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Construction Engineering ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Development Center

In November 2019, U.S. Marines, Air Force, and Army Corps of Engineers personnel demonstrated the viability and simplicity of three-dimensionally (3D)-printed construction in a controlled environment at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center—Construction Engineering Research Laboratory in Champaign, Illinois. The tri-service exercise spanned three days and culminated in the construction of three 1 m × 1 m × 1 m (3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft) concrete dragon’s teeth (square pyramid military fortifications used to defend against tanks and armored vehicles) and several custom-designed objects. The structural components were printed using a custom-built, gantry-style printer called ACES Lite 2 and a commercially available, proprietary mortar mix. This paper examines the viability of using 3D-printed construction in remote, isolated, and expeditionary environments by considering the benefits and challenges associated with the printing materials, structural design, process efficiency, labor demands, logistical considerations, environmental impact, and project cost. Based on the results of this exercise, 3D-printed construction was found to be faster, safer, less labor-intensive, and more structurally efficient than conventional construction methods: the dragon’s teeth were printed in an average of 57 min each and required only two laborers. However, the use of commercially procured, pre-mixed materials introduced additional cost, logistical burden, and adverse environmental impact as compared to traditional, on-site concrete mixing and production. Finally, this paper suggests future applications and areas of further research for 3D-printed construction.

Acoustic Leak Survey of the Underground Potable Water System at a CONUS Army Installation

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 143-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Morefield ◽  
John Carlyle
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Water System ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Construction Engineering ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Water Meters ◽  
Development Center

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), and Carlyle Consulting’s John Carlyle conducted a leak detection survey at a U.S. Army Installation. The age of pipes in the distribution system ranged from 20 to 60 years. The thrust of the work was to acoustically survey all of the underground pipelines constituting the installation’s potable water distribution system and find any leaks. The results of the survey were that 6 leaks were discovered in the main lines, 63 leaks associated with fire hydrants, freeze proof hose bibs, water meters, etc., and 33 leaks inside buildings. Over two thousand acoustic measurements were made in order to obtain these results.

U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center's Ecology Program

1984 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 525-532
Author(s):  
E J Pullen ◽  
P L Knutson ◽  
A K Hurme
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Engineering ◽  
Coastal Vegetation ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Navigation Channel ◽  
Biological Environment ◽  
Ecology Program ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Shore Erosion

The Coastal Engineering Research Center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is responsible for research that supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program. This research involves coastal navigation, channel design and maintenance, storm flooding, shore erosion control, and coastal ecology. The ecology research is focused on two major areas: (1) use of coastal vegetation for engineering purposes and (2) effects of coastal engineering activities on the biological environment. The objectives and accomplishments of the ecology research are discussed and specific examples of field guidance are presented.

Recent Efforts on Blast Damage Mitigation for Dams

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 428-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Sharp ◽  
Yazmin Seda-Sanabria ◽  
Enrique E. Matheu
Keyword(s):  
Homeland Security ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Department Of Homeland Security ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Damage Prediction ◽  
Blast Damage ◽  
Development Center ◽  
The U.S

This paper describes collaborative research efforts conducted between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The USACE, through its U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has focused efforts on the development of a collaborative research program to address technical gaps related to risk and blast mitigation for dams. These research efforts involve experimental and analytical tasks designed to improve blast damage prediction capabilities for dams, navigation locks, and levee systems resulting from vehicle and waterborne delivery scenarios. The outcomes from these efforts can inform USACE’s priorities, which include refining the current understanding of the effects of potential attacks, the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of its critical assets to various threat conditions, and the local and regional consequences of those attacks in order to develop appropriate protective measures and recovery technologies.

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