Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers News Releases

Camp Perry Historic District Landscape Inventory and Viewshed Analysis

Press Operations — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:03:00 GMT

Abstract: The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) established the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), which requires federal agencies to address their cultural resources, defined as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object. NHPA section 110 requires federal agencies to inventory and evaluate their cultural resources. Section 106 requires them to determine the effect of federal undertakings on properties deemed eligible or potentially eligible for the NRHP. Camp Perry Joint Training Center (Camp Perry) is located near Port Clinton, Ohio, and serves as an Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG) training site. It served as an induction center during federal draft periods and as a prisoner of war camp during World War II. Previous work established boundaries for an historic district and recommended the district eligible for the NRHP. This project in-ventoried and evaluated Camp Perry’s historic cultural landscape and outlined approaches and recommendations for treatment by Camp Perry cultural resources management. Based on the landscape evaluation, recommendations of a historic district boundary change were made based on the small number of contributing resources to aid future Section 106 processes and/or development of a programmatic agreement in consultation with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

AIS Data Case Study: Selecting Design Vessels for New Jersey Back Bays Storm Surge Barriers Study

Press Operations — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:00:00 GMT

Abstract: The purpose of this Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering technical note (CHETN) is to describe how historic Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel position data were used to identify a design vessel for use in a storm surge barrier design study. Specifically, this CHETN describes how the AIS data were accessed, how the universe of vessel data was refined to allow for design vessel selection, and how that selection was used in a storm surge barrier (SSB) study. This CHETN draws upon the New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study (USACE-NAP 2019), specifically the Appendix B.2 Engineering Appendix Civil document1. The New Jersey Back Bays Study itself builds upon the work of the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS) initiated after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 (USACE 2015a).

Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures (ACES): Materials and Testing

Press Operations — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:51:00 GMT

Abstract: Complex military operations often result in U.S. forces remaining at deployed locations for long periods. In such cases, more sustainable facilities are required to better accommodate and protect forward-deployed forces. Current efforts to develop safer, more sustainable operating facilities for contingency bases involve construction activities that require a redesign of the types and characteristics of the structures constructed, that reduce the resources required to build, and that decrease the resources needed to operate and maintain the completed facilities. The Automated Construction of Expeditionary Structures (ACES) project was undertaken to develop the capability to “print” custom-designed expeditionary structures on demand, in the field, using locally available materials with the minimum number of personnel. This work investigated large-scale automated “additive construction” (i.e., 3D printing with concrete) for construction applications. This report, which documents ACES materials and testing, is one of four technical reports, each of which details a major area of the ACES research project, its research processes, and its associated results. There major areas include System Requirements, Construction, and Performance; Energy and Modeling; Materials and Testing; Architectural and Structural Analysis.

altWIZ: A System for Satellite Radar Altimeter Evaluation of Modeled Wave Heights

Press Operations — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:48:00 GMT

Purpose: This Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) describes the design and implementation of a wave model evaluation system, altWIZ, which uses wave height observations from operational satellite radar altimeters. The altWIZ system utilizes two recently released altimeter databases: Ribal and Young (2019) and European Space Agency Sea State Climate Change Initiative v.1.1 level 2 (Dodet et al. 2020). The system facilitates model evaluation against 1 Hz1 altimeter data or a product created by averaging altimeter data in space and time around model grid points. The system allows, for the first time, quantitative analysis of spatial model errors within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wave Information Study (WIS) 30+ year hindcast for coastal United States. The system is demonstrated on the WIS 2017 Atlantic hindcast, using a 1/2° basin scale grid and a 1/4° regional grid of the East Coast. Consistent spatial patterns of increased bias and root-mean-square-error are exposed. Seasonal strengthening and weakening of these spatial patterns are found, related to the seasonal variation of wave energy. Some model errors correspond to areas known for high currents, and thus wave-current interaction. In conjunction with the model comparison, additional functions for pairing altimeter measurements with buoy data and storm tracks have been built. Appendices give information on the code access (Appendix I), organization and files (Appendix II), example usage (Appendix III), and demonstrating options (Appendix IV).

Computational Investigation on Interactions between Some Munition Compounds and Humic Substances

Press Operations — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:22:00 GMT

Note: This document was originally published as a journal article or conference proceeding. The link and document will be accessible after a 12-month embargo expires (December 14, 2021 for this document). For more information, see "Frequently Asked Questions on Public Access to Federally Funded Journal Articles" at https://discover.dtic.mil/pdfs/padf/DTIC_FAQs_Public_Access.pdf Abstract: Humic acid substances (HAs) in natural soil and sediment environments affect the retention and degradation of insensitive munition compounds and legacy high explosives (MCs): 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) DNi−NH4+, N-methyl-p-nitroaniline (nMNA), 1-nitroguanidine (NQ), 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO; neutral and anionic forms), 2,4,6-trinitroto-luene (TNT), and 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX). A humic acid mode compound has been considered using molecular dynamics, thermodynamic integration, and density functional theory to characterize the munition binding ability, ionization potential, and electron affinity compared to that in the water solution. Humic acids bind most compounds and act as both a sink and source for electrons. Ionization potentials suggest that HAs are more susceptible to oxidation than the MCs studied. The electron affinity of HAs is very conformation-dependent and spans the same range as the munition compounds. When HAs and MCs are complexed, the HAs tend to radicalize first, thus buffering MCs against reductive as well as oxidative attacks.

guiBathy: A Graphical User Interface to Estimate Nearshore Bathymetry from Hovering Unmanned Aerial System Imagery

Press Operations — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:17:00 GMT

Abstract: This US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, technical report details guiBathy, a graphical user interface to estimate nearshore bathymetry from imagery collected via a hovering Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). guiBathy provides an end-to-end solution for non-subject-matter-experts to utilize commercial-off-the-shelf UAS to collect quantitative imagery of the nearshore by packaging robust photogrammetric and signal-processing algorithms into an easy-to-use software interface. This report begins by providing brief background on coastal imaging and the photogrammetry and bathymetric inversion algorithms guiBathy utilizes, as well as UAS data collection requirements. The report then describes guiBathy software specifications, features, and workflow. Example guiBathy applications conclude the report with UAS bathymetry measurements taken during the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which compare favorably (root mean square error = 0.44 to 0.72 m; bias = -0.35 to -0.11 m) with in situ survey measurements. guiBathy is a standalone executable software for Windows 10 platforms and will be freely available at www.github.com/erdc.

Comparison of Generic and Proprietary Aquatic Herbicides for Control of Invasive Vegetation : Part 2. Emergent Plants

Press Operations — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:11:00 GMT

Abstract: Aquatic herbicides are one of the most effective and widespread ways to manage nuisance vegetation in the US After the active ingredient is selected, often there are numerous proprietary and generic branded products to select from. To date, limited efforts have been made to compare the efficacy of brand name and generic herbicides head to head; therefore, at tot al of 20 mesocosm trials were conducted to evaluate various 2,4 -D, glyphosate, imazapyr, and triclopyr products against alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.), southern cattail (hereafter referred to as cattail, Typha domingensis Pers.), and creeping water primrose (hereafter referred as primrose, Ludwigia peploides (Kunth) P.H. Raven). All active ingredients were applied to foliage at broadcast rates commonly used in applications to public waters. Proprietary and generic 2,4 -D, glyphosate, imazapyr, and triclopyr were efficacious and provided 39 to 99% control of alligatorweed, cattail and primrose in 19 of the 20 trials. There were no significant differences i n product performance except glyphosate vs. alligatorweed (trial 1, Rodeo vs. Roundup Custom) and glyphosate vs. cattail (trial 1, Rodeo vs. Glyphosate 5.4). These results demonstrate under small -scale conditions, the majority of the generic and proprietary herbicides provided similar control of emergent vegetation, regardless of active ingredient.

Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery Next Generation Backfill Technologies Comparison Experiment : Technology Comparison Experiment

Press Operations — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:06:00 GMT

Abstract: The Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery (RADR) Next Generation Backfill Technology Comparison Experiment was conducted in July 2017 at the East Campus of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), located in Vicksburg, MS. The experiment evaluated three different crater backfill technologies to compare their performance and develop a technology trade-off analysis. The RADR next generation backfill technologies were compared to the current RADR standard backfill method of flowable fill. Results from this experiment provided useful information on technology rankings and trade-offs. This effort resulted in successful crater backfill solutions that were recommended for further end user evaluation.

Environmental Quality Requirements Model Program Objective Memorandum Fiscal Years 2021–2025

Press Operations — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:18:00 GMT

Abstract: This document describes the methodology used to evaluate the costs incurred by organizations involved in planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of the Army’s environmental programs and estimating those costs for future year planning cycles, this model is referred to as the Environmental Quality Requirements Model (EQRM). The EQRM is used to develop the budget positions as presented to Congress to obtain the Operations and Maintenance appropriations. These appropriations fund the Environmental Quality Program which includes Compliance, Conservation and Pollution Prevention requirements. The model encompasses the commands under the funding structure of the Deputy Chief of Staff – G9 Installations which includes the following: Installation Management Command, the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve Command, and the Army Materiel Command.

Seamless Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Creation for the Mississippi River in Louisiana to Support Hydrologic Modeling

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:14:00 GMT

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Vibration Survey of Room 47 with a Laser Doppler Vibrometer: Main Laboratory Basement, U.S. Army ERDC-CRREL

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:03:00 GMT

ABSTRACT: Plans are underway to create an acousto-optic laboratory on the campus of the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. For this purpose, existing space in the basement of the Main Laboratory will be renovated. Demanding measurement techniques, such as interferometry, require a sufficiently quiet vibration environment (i.e., low vibration levels). As such, characterization of existing vibration conditions is necessary to determine vibration isolation requirements so that highly sensitive measurement activities are feasible. To this end, existing vibro-acoustic conditions were briefly surveyed in Room 47, a part of the future laboratory. The survey measured ambient noise and ambient vertical floor vibrations. The ambient vibration environment was characterized according to generic velocity criteria (VC), which are one-third octave band vibration limits. At the time of the survey, the ambient vibration environment fell under a VC-A designation, where the tolerance limit is 2000 µin/s across all one-third octave bands. Under this condition, highly sensitive measurement activities are feasible on a vibration-isolated working surface. The conclusion of this report provides isolation efficiency requirements that satisfy VC-E limits (125 µin/s), which are necessary for interferometric measurements.

Improving Design Methodologies and Assessment Tools for Building on Permafrost in a Warming Climate

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:01:00 GMT

Abstract: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) operates numerous Arctic and Subarctic installations, including Alaska. Changes to permafrost can threaten critical built infrastructure. It is critical to accurately characterize and compare site conditions in permafrost regions to enable the efficient, cost-effective design and construction of an infrastructure well suited to the permafrost environment and that meets DoD requirements. This report describes three research efforts to establish (1) field investigation approaches for ground ice detection and delineation, (2) methods and modeling for early warning detection of thawing permafrost under infrastructure, and (3) an outline of a decision support system that determines the most applicable foundation design for warming and degrading permafrost. Outcomes of these interrelated efforts address needs to improve construction of DoD mission critical infrastructure on Arctic and Subarctic permafrost terrains. Field investigation processes used systematic methodologies including borehole data and geophysical measurements to effectively characterize subsurface permafrost information. The Permafrost Foundation Decision Support System (PFFDSS) tool implements and logically links field survey information and foundation type assessments. The current version of PFFDSS is designed to be accessible to design-engineers of a broad range of experience, that will reduce the effort and cost, and improve the effectiveness of site assessment.

Formulation of a Multi-Scale Watershed Ecological Model Using a Statistical Approach

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:58:00 GMT

Abstract: The purpose of this special report is to provide a statistical stepwise process for formulation of ecological models for application at multiple scales using a stream condition index (SCI). Given the global variability of aquatic ecosystems, this guidance is for broad application and may require modification to suit specific watersheds or stream reaches. However, the general statistical treatise provided herein applies across physiographies and at multiple scales. The Duck River Watershed Assessment in Tennessee was used, in part, to develop and test this multiscale, statistical approach; thus, it is considered a case example and referenced throughout this report. The findings of this study can be utilized to (1) prioritize water-sheds for restoration, enhancement, and conservation; (2) plan and conduct site-specific, intensive ecosystem studies; and (3) assess ecosystem outcomes (that is, ecological lift) applicable to future with and without restoration actions including alternative, feasibility, and cost-benefit analyses and adaptive management.

Evaluation of New Endothall and Florpyrauxifen-benzyl Use Patterns for Controlling Crested Floating Heart and Giant Salvinia

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:55:00 GMT

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to (1) evaluate concentration exposure time (CET) relationships for florpyrauxifen-benzyl (ProcellaCOR) for control of the floating leaved plant crested floating heart (Nymphoides cristata, CFH) and (2) evaluate foliar applications of endothall (Aquathol K) for control of CFH and the floating fern giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta).

Snow-Covered Obstacles’ Effect on Vehicle Mobility

Press Operations — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:53:00 GMT

ABSTRACT: The Mobility in Complex Environments project used unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to identify obstacles and to provide path planning in forward operational locations. The UAS were equipped with remote-sensing devices, such as photogrammetry and lidar, to identify obstacles. The path-planning algorithms incorporated the detected obstacles to then identify the fastest and safest vehicle routes. Future algorithms should incorporate vehicle characteristics as each type of vehicle will perform differently over a given obstacle, resulting in distinctive optimal paths. This study explored the effect of snow-covered obstacles on dynamic vehicle response. Vehicle tests used an instrumented HMMWV (high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle) driven over obstacles with and without snow cover. Tests showed a 45% reduction in normal force variation and a 43% reduction in body acceleration associated with a 14.5 cm snow cover. To predict vehicle body acceleration and normal force response, we developed two quarter-car models: rigid terrain and deformable snow terrain quarter-car models. The simple quarter models provided reasonable agreement with the vehicle test data. We also used the models to analyze the effects of vehicle parameters, such as ground pressure, to understand the effect of snow cover on vehicle response.

Long-Term Stability and Efficacy of Historic Activated Carbon (AC) Deployments at Diverse Freshwater and Marine Remediation Sites

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:34:00 GMT

Abstract: A number of sites around the United States have used activated carbon (AC) amendments to remedy contaminated sediments. Variation in site-specific characteristics likely influences the long-term fate and efficacy of AC treatment. The long-term effectiveness of an AC amendment to sediment is largely unknown, as the field performance has not been monitored for more than three years. As a consequence, the focus of this research effort was to evaluate AC’s long-term (6–10 yr) performance. These assessments were performed at two pilot-scale demonstration sites, Grasse River, Massena, New York and Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Aberdeen, Maryland, representing two distinct physical environments. Sediment core samples were collected after 6 and 10 years of remedy implementation at APG and Grasse River, respectively. Core samples were collected and sectioned to determine the current vertical distribution and persistence of AC in the field. The concentration profile of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment pore water with depth was measured using passive sampling. Sediment samples from the untreated and AC-treated zones were also assessed for bioaccumulation in benthic organisms. The data collected enabled comparison of AC distribution, PCB concentrations, and bioaccumulation measured over the short- and long-term (months to years).

Magnetorheological Composite Materials (MRCMs) for Instant and Adaptable Structural Control

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:31:00 GMT

Abstract: Magnetic responsive materials can be used in a variety of applications. For structural applications, the ability to create tunable moduli from relatively soft materials with applied electromagnetic stimuli can be advantageous for light-weight protection. This study investigated magnetorheological composite materials involving carbonyl iron particles (CIP) embedded into two different systems. The first material system was a model cementitious system of CIP and kaolinite clay dispersed in mineral oil. The magnetorheological behaviors were investigated by using parallel plates with an attached magnetic accessory to evaluate deformations up to 1 T. The yield stress of these slurries was measured by using rotational and oscillatory experiments and was found to be controllable based on CIP loading and magnetic field strength with yield stresses ranging from 10 to 104 Pa. The second material system utilized a polystyrene-butadiene rubber solvent-cast films with CIP embedded. The flexible matrix can stiffen and become rigid when an external field is applied. For CIP loadings of 8% and 17% vol %, the storage modulus response for each loading stiffened by 22% and 74%, respectively.

Publication Notification: Distribution of the Two-Point Product of Complex Amplitudes in the Fully Saturated Scattering Regime

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:28:00 GMT

Abstract: This Letter considers probability density functions (pdfs) involving products of the complex amplitudes observed at two points (which may, in general, involve separations in space, time, or frequency) in conditions of fully saturated scattering. First, the pdf is derived for the product of the complex amplitude at one point with the conjugate of the complex amplitude at another point. It is shown that the real and imaginary parts of this product each have a variance gamma pdf. Second, expressions are derived for several joint pdfs involving complex amplitude products and powers at two points.

Publication Notification: Fort McCoy WWII Buildings and Landscapes

Press Operations — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:19:00 GMT

Abstract: The U.S. Congress codified the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) mostly through the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), which requires federal agencies to address their cultural resources. Section 110 of the NHPA requires federal agencies to inventory and evaluate their cultural resources, and Section 106 requires them to determine the effect of federal undertakings on those potentially eligible for the NRHP. This report provides a World War II development history and analysis of 786 buildings, and determinations of eligibility for those buildings, on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. Evaluation of the WWII buildings and landscape concluded that there are too few buildings with integrity to form a cohesive historic district. While the circulation patterns and roads are still intact, the buildings with integrity are scattered throughout the cantonment affecting the historic character of the landscape. Only Building 100 (post headquarters), Building 656 (dental clinic), and Building 550 (fire station) are ELIGIBLE for listing on the NRHP at the national level under Criterion A for their association with World War II temporary building construction (1942-1946) and under Criterion C for their design, construction, and technological innovation.

Discover ERDC Knowledge Management Representative (KMR) User’s Guide

Press Operations — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:42:00 GMT

Abstract: Knowledge management plays a vital role in the successful execution on research projects at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Accumulating and building upon knowledge is the cornerstone of the research and development process. Maintaining and providing access to knowledge is essential to the successful execution of research programs. An initiative to improve access to knowledge and the tools available to researchers was started by the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORRT). The result of that initiative is a knowledge portal called Discover ERDC. This document provides a detailed look on maintaining content on the Discover ERDC site from a Knowledge Management Representative viewpoint, and how help can be provided to those assigned to manage the content.