Multipurpose Expedient Paving System (MEPS) for Expeditionary Airfields

摘要

A Multipurpose Expedient Paving System (MEPS) is being developed to enable more rapid construction of Expeditionary Airfields (EAF's) by Marine Corps forces engaged in an amphibious landing. Previous investigations demonstrated the potential of FOMAT - a structural sandwich composed of a 20-pcf rigid polyurethane foam core with fiberglass-reinforced polyester resin (FRP) facings. FOMAT met F-4 aircraft static load, tailhook impact, and engine exhaust blast requirements. The FY-77 research effort, covered by this report, focused on pavement concepts more amenable than FOMAT to field construction. Investigations were made on alternative concepts of (1) mechanically locking prefabricated bottom facings to the core and (2) eliminating the bottom facing while adding fiberglass reinforcement to the foam. FIBERMAT (FRP bonded to a layer of fiberglass-reinforced rigid polyerethane foam) is rated as the more viable concept. FIBERMAT has been subjected to a series of laboratory tests to define response to stress fatigue and environmental cycling. Finite element techniques are utilized to design FIBERMAT pavement sections for EAF traffic areas and varying soil strenghts. Costs and benefits are projected, project technical risks are discussed, and major development milestones are outlined. (Author)