Expedient MESL Construction in Cold Weather

摘要

A new method of constructing membrane-encapsulated soil layers (MESLs) using plastic membranes, geotextiles, tapes for sealing the membranes, and absorbents for drying the soil were demonstrated. These materials would allow construction of a MESL in cold weather. The demonstration took place at Fort Drum, New York, and at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho Vermont. Three layers of a 271-g/m2 (8-oz/yd2) geotextile successfully protected the membrane during a puncture test, and absorbents successfully caused the soil to act drier to increase vehicle trafficability. However, the geotextile is still too weak to be used in a MESL. Although the individual components performed well, the construction process is too exacting to be performed successfully and is not recommended for Army engineers.