Dustproofing Unsurfaced Areas: Facilities Technology Application Test (FTAT) Demonstration, FY 86

摘要

The occurrence of dust as a result of military activities is discussed. Recommended procedures and results of a dust control yield demonstration of crushed limestone roads, a cherty gravel parking lot, and a sandy clay assault airstrip are presented. A comparison of two brine solutions, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2), is made with respect to concentration of solution, rate and ease of application, cost, and overall effectiveness on crushed limestone roads. A 32 percent MgCl2 brine solution was applied at a rate of 0.50 gal/sq yd, and a 38 percent CaCl2 brine solution was applied at a rate of 0.27 to 0.36 gal/sq yd. The CaCl2 appeared to penetrate the crushed limestone roads more easily than the MgCl2, which exhibited pounding and surface runoff. The better penetrating characteristics of CaCl2 may be attributed to the lower rate of application. Both the MgCl2 and CaCl2 were considered equally effective on the crushed limestone roads after CaCl2 was also applied to a cherty gravel parking lot and sandy a clay assault airstrip. The parking lot exhibited effective dust control, but the assault airstrip was marginally effective. This is attributed to the higher concentration of fine material in the poorly graded soil. The cost of brine solutions is approximately the same on an F.O.B. basis but may vary considerably based on shipping costs. A cost comparison and a product sheet are included in Appendix C.