UNCLASSIFIED

1. UNCLASSIFIED Air Force Research Laboratory Update R. Craig Mellerski, Civ, DAF Aircraft Operating Surfaces - Pavements Airbase Technologies Division Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida April 2012 FAA Airport Pavement Working Group Meeting, 23 July 2009 Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

2. Presentation Outline Who we are Pavement aircraft tie-down research Airfield rubber removal research High temperature resistant pavement research Aircraft arresting system research Rapid airfield repair research Airfield damage repair (ADR) modernization program Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

3. Mission Statement AIRBASE TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION Provide Transformational Science and Engineering Solutions for Agile Airbase Operations Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

4. AFRL Overview Airbase Technologies Division - Where does the lab fit? HQ USAF HQ AFMC AFRL RX Materials and Manufacturing Directorate RXQ Airbase Technologies Division Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

5. What We Do Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

6. Facilities / Equipment Asphalt lab Soils lab Material Testing lab Coring Machine C-17 Load Cart (277,000 lbs) Heavy Weight Deflectometer F-15E Load Cart (35,000 lbs) Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

7. Facilities / Equipment Flight Line Silver Flag (6000 ft × 125 ft Pavement) AFRL 9700 Area (600 ft × 60 ft PCC) (600 ft × 60 ft HMA) (100 ft × 60 ft Covered testing) Main Base AFRL Bldg. 1117 Gulf of Mexico Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

8. Rigid and Flexible Pavement Aircraft Tie-downs Data Cable Objectives • Test traditional shepherds hook PCC and AC tie-downs to determine pull-out capacity • Test contingency (Hat-type and Neenah) tie-downs to determine pull-out capacity • Develop and install simplified AC tie-downs and test to determine pull-out capacity • AFCESA categorizes aircraft tie-downs according to vertical pull-out capacity: • Lightweight capacity—17 kip pull-out resistance • Heavyweight capacity—37.7 kip pull-out resistance Load Cell Lifting Hoist Tie-down AFRL Anchor-Pulling Apparatus • Technical Approach • Research and test existing traditional aircraft tie-downs • Install and test contingency PCC tie-downs on AOS test-pad • Install and test contingency AC tie-downs in three different subgrades • Identify installation and performance issues • Implementation/Path Forward • Providing Installation kits to FOB locations • Developing protocol and equipment for field certification of existing anchors • Developing common design for both rigid and flexible pavements Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

9. Ultra High Pressure Rubber Removal Objective • Compare UHPRR Systems • Test and Evaluate TrackJet® • Performance • Deployability • Environmental impact • Ease of operation • Technical Approach • Procure equipment using FCT Program • Train personnel • Conduct rubber removal operations • C-130 deployable • Comparison with domestically manufactured systems • Implementation/Path Forward • Developed evaluation plan • Test locations at Randolph AFB, Tinker AFB, and Camp Shelby • Comparison with detergent rubber removal systems • Draft technical report Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

10. Detergent based Rubber Removal Objective • Evaluate • Detergent rubber removal system under expeditionary conditions • Dissolve and remove rubber from pavement surface and restore micro/macro textures • Technical Approach • Pre-deployment preparation • C-130 deployable • Conduct rubber removal operations • Demobilize to home base • Status • Performance assessment • Air transportability – successful • Rubber removal – successful • Cost effectiveness – successful • Comparison with ultra high pressure rubber removal systems • Draft technical report Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

11. Geopolymer Research Objective • Develop concrete of high thermal resistance for potential use in JSF launch pads • Optimize mechanics • Increase durability using various fiber materials within matrix • Move towards ambient cure • Technical Approach • Optimize alkali-pozzolanic binder • Investigate micro-chemistry • Vary aggregate and fiber types • Employ different curing methods • Thermal/mechanical load testing • Final report / ETL • Implementation/Path Forward • Investigated effect of constituents on thermal resistance • Investigating effect of fly ash variability on product • Perform rheometry and calorimetry to investigate component contribution to ease of construction Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

12. High Temperature Resistant Flexible Pavement Objective • Develop flexible binder based (asphalt) high thermal resistance pavements • Optimize mechanics • Develop solutions to transfer loads as a layered structure • Technical Approach • Literature review • Investigate novel materials and modifications to existing materials • Vary coarse and fine aggregates • Thermal/mechanical load testing • Final report / ETL • Implementation/Path Forward • Investigated effect of constituents on thermal resistance • Investigating effect variability of different products • Down select potential solutions Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

13. Aircraft Arresting System (AAS) Retrofits Objective • Update pavement smoothness criteria for expeditionary AAS • Review existing smoothness/imperfection criteria • Develop new criteria to safeguard against tailhook skip • Technical Approach • Review existing pavement roughness and repair criteria • Model performance of tailhook skip • Evaluate roughness measurement devices • Evaluate device/participate in tests • Develop TTPs • Implementation/Path Forward • Investigate different roughness measuring devices • Field validate models • Down select potential solutions Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

14. Precast Concrete Panels for ADR Objective • Research current precast concrete panel technology • Install precast concrete panels using different bedding materials • Traffic precast panels and evaluate: • Installation method • Bedding material • Load transfer Technical Approach • Install precast concrete panels on AOS test-pad, utilizing the following bedding materials: • Uretek foam, direct-injection • Uretek foam, deep-injection • Flowable fill • Traffic precast panels 1500 passes with F-15E load cart • Use heavy-weight deflectometer (HWD) to collect load transfer data before, during, and after trafficking operations Precast Concrete Panel Installation • Implementation/Path Forward • Determine the most efficient distressed slab removal and precast concrete panel installation method • Investigating multi-panel emplacements for contingency locations • Developing a repair kit Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

15. Pelletized Asphalt / CRATR JCTD 2” 0 1” Objective • Evaluate • Pelletized asphalt technology for ADR • Deployable HMA plant to produce airfield quality HMA • Develop appropriate TTPs • Technical Approach • Laboratory and field studies • Develop/evaluate TTPs • Limited operational utility assessments I and II (LOUA I & II) • Operational utility assessment • Implementation/Path Forward • Performance verified using live aircraft tests • Equipment procurement in processfor ADR Modernization Program • Repair kits being revised to include updated equipment and materials Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

16. HMA Transport for ADR Objective • Determine if bottom dump trailer could be used instead of four dump truck loads of HMA • Capable of storing, transporting and placing 18 to 24 tons of asphalt • Capable of being used in freezing temperatures • Technical Approach • Availability and cost of existing material transport vehicles • Evaluate the need for modifications • Investigate vehicle insulation • Conduct thermodynamic analysis (temperature loss) • Implementation/Path Forward • Determine the most efficient method to insulate to allow for longer storage of material • Investigating load and handling of equipment for contingency locations • Develop ETL Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

17. Spall Materials Research Objective • Subject numerous spall repair materials to lab and field tests • Use test results to determine optimal material for permanent rapid-setting spall repairs of airfield runways • Technical Approach • Select materials for evaluation • Mechanical / thermal testing • Down-select four final materials • Sensitivity tests on final four • Classify each by performance • Final report / ETL • Implementation/Path Forward • Posted material performance test data on central DOD website • Fostered competition among repair material vendors Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

18. Spall Methods and Equipment Research Objective • Field test various equipment types and excavation methods • Evaluate surrounding slab and underlying strata for damage • Develop excavation and repair method allowing material placement within 15 minutes or less • Technical Approach • Field excavation trials: • Jackhammer, gang saw, hydraulic ram, cold planer • Excavation time vs. final repair quality and bond strength • Load cart testing and analysis • Final report / ETL • Implementation/Path Forward • Recommended new equipment and procedures to decrease repair times and enhance performance • Recognized by TRB’s K.B. Woods Award Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

19. Asphalt Sustainment Kit Evaluation Objective • Assemble equipment and materials to conduct airfield damage repairs in sustainability environment • Evaluate the vehicles • Minimize redundant equipment • Determine equipment effectiveness • Simplicity of equipment set • Technical Approach • Field testing of materials • Lab testing of materials • Full scale field tests • Identify issues • Report • Implementation/Path Forward • Verification with simulated aircraft loads completed • Supplement repair kits in ADR modernization program • Materials and equipment enhance to the ADR repair kits Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

20. USAF Areas of Interest • Equipment to quickly remove pavement in small areas • Materials that set quickly, cheap, and long shelf life • Lightweight matting for military aircraft loads • Quick assessments of damaged airfields • ‘Green’ technologies • Sustainment • Frangible structures Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING

21. Questions Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. PENDING