News Stories

  • April

    US Army Reserve FEST members assist USACE’s COVID19 response projects for Navajo Nation

    Within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Albuquerque District has the lead assisting the Navajo Nation with their COVID19 response. The Albuquerque District is primarily assisting in the area of constructing alternate care facilities for the Navajo Nation and Indian Health Service.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Analysis of Snow Water Equivalent Annual Maxima in the Upper Connecticut River Basin Using a Max-Stable Spatial Process Model

    Abstract: Recent advances from the science of spatial extremes and model regularization were applied to develop areal-based extremes of snow water equivalent (SWE) data for the upper Connecticut River Basin. Development of areal-based SWE exceedance probability estimates are of relevance for cool season probabilistic flood hazard analyses (PFHA). The approach profiled in this case study is applicable for other hydrometeor-ological variables of relevance to PFHA. The methodology conforms with Extreme Value Theory (EVT) for the analysis of spatial extremes; hence, there is a firm theoretical basis for extrapolation. Trend surface development is guided by EVT theory and recent advances for regularizing general linear models. R, a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, and QGIS, a free and open-source geographic information system, were the primary tools used for product development and delivery. The following R software packages were primarily used during project execution: evd, Glmnet, maps, raster, rgdal, SDMTools, sp, and SpatialExtremes. R software packages exist in the public domain and support PFHA analyses of varying complexities. Their application herein is not an endorsement or recommendation. It is recommended that one would need to evaluate any particular R software package regarding its suitability for use for any specific application.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Effects of Boric Acid and Water Content on Fundamental Properties of Proprietary Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) Products

    Abstract: Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) have been used for decades in proprietary products for pavement repairs. However, products with high exothermic temperatures have short working times, and research is needed to overcome these unfavorable characteristics. The effects of different boric acid and water contents on the fundamental properties of concrete was investigated through 34 trial batch modifications on the following commercially available MPC products: (1) Premier Magnesia’s PREMag PGDM, (2) BASF Master Builder’s MasterEmaco T545, and (3) CeraTech Inc.’s Pavemend TR. Overall results indicated that the increase of boric acid and water content produced favorable decreased temperatures and increased set times but retardation in the early age development of compressive strength. Modifications in the PREMag PGDM product resulted in poor workability, inaccurate time of setting due to a thixotropic nature, and unacceptable compressive strength loss. The Pavemend TR product was significantly affected by the addition of boric acid resulting in nonrecoverable compressive and bond strength loss, excessive expansions, failure at low freezing and thawing cycles, and unacceptable times of setting for rapid-repair applications. The T545 product showed promising performance with 28-day recovery in compressive, flexural, and bond strengths and minimal differences in other properties when compared to the control mixture.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Preliminary Assessment of Landform Soil Strength on Glaciated Terrain in New Hampshire

    Abstract: Accurate terrain characterization is important for predicting off-road vehicle mobility. Soil strength is a significant terrain characteristic affecting vehicle mobility. Collecting soil strength measurements is laborious, making in-situ observations sparse. Research has focused on providing soil strength estimates using remote sensing techniques that can provide large spatial and temporal estimates, but the results are often inaccurate. Past attempts have quantified the soil properties of arid environments using landform assessments; yet many military operating environments occupy high latitude regions with landscapes dominated by glacial deposits. This study took preliminary strength measurements for glacial landforms deposited from the Laurentide Ice Sheet in New England. A range of common glacial landforms were sampled to assess shear strength, bearing capacity, and volumetric moisture content. Glacial outwash landforms had the highest average shear strengths, glacial deltas the lowest. There was a significant negative correlation between silt content and shear strength of the soil, a significant positive correlation between bearing capacity and clay content, and a significant negative correlation with sand content. Moisture content of soils was inversely correlated to the abundance of gravel in the deposit. This work provides initial insight to this approach on glaciated terrain, but continued sampling will provide more robust correlations.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Improved Vehicle Mobility by Using Terrain Surfacing Systems

    Abstract: Even for military vehicles designed with superior off-road capabilities, problematic soil conditions can impede mobility, particularly when many vehicles need to traverse the same path. Loose sands with little shear strength or wet silts or clays with little bearing capacity can deform rapidly under traffic. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center researchers conducted field testing over several terrain conditions to measure performance of terrain surfacing systems designed to improve vehicle mobility. Soil conditions included poorly-graded sand, medium-strength silt, weak marsh, and two different slope conditions. Five different terrain surfacing, or matting systems, were tested that included four commercial variants and one U.S. government design. All testing took place at the ERDC Ground Vehicle Terrain Surfacing Test Facility in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Military test vehicles included a Marine Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Common Bridge Transporter, and M1 Abrams tank. Results from the testing showed that all matting systems provided notable improvement in the number of allowable vehicle passes over soft sands. Results varied for the different systems over weaker soils, with performance improved for those matting systems having thicker and stiffer panels. However, improved performance among matting systems came with a sacrifice of increased logistical burden. Data presented here-in include detailed site characteristics and soil deformation as a function of traffic.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Laboratory Characterization of Rapid-Setting Flowable Fill

    Abstract: Utility Fill One-Step 750® is a rapid-setting flowable fill product that has previously been validated in numerous full-scale demonstrations as an expedient backfill solution for Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery. Although the field performance of Utility Fill One-Step 750® has been extensively documented, a full laboratory characterization has not been conducted. This report analyzes and documents results from several laboratory tests conducted at two water to-product ratios. The tests conducted are based on the suite of tests that make up the triservice spall repair certification program used for rapid-setting concrete products. Tests include strength and set time-related properties, typical parameter control tests for concrete, and tests to determine the mineralogy and chemical makeup of the material. Long-term expansion and contraction properties were also tested. The data presented herein are intended to provide an overall assessment of Utility Fill One-Step 750® and to provide reasonable estimates of various design parameters. The results can be used as a basis for the future development of a formal laboratory certification protocol to down-select other rapid-setting flowable fill products for further evaluation.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Application of Chirp Acoustic Sub-Bottom Data in Riverine Environments: Identification of Underlying Rocky Hazards at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Thebes, Illinois

    NOTE: A revised version of the report MRG&P Report No. 31 has been published. While the link below remains valid, the PDF attached to the record is new. It is now 47 pages instead of 45 pages after the changes made. Please update your records as needed.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Lake Providence to Old River Geomorphology Assessment

    Abstract: This report integrates information from previous geomorphic studies coupled with new analysis to provide a comprehensive geomorphic characterization of the Lake Providence (River Mile [RM] 487.2 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) to Old River Control Complex, (RM 317 AHP) reach from the early-1800s to present. Individual components of this study included the following: historical geomorphic studies, development of an events timeline, specific gage records, stage and flow duration trends, trends in water surface slopes, bed material studies, suspended sediment data, channel geometry data, and effects of channel improvement features (cutoffs, dike, revetment, and dredging). These individual assessments were consolidated to develop an overall assessment of how the study reach has evolved since the early-1800s.
  • Corps begins "delicate dance" as possibility of drought looms

    Erik Petersen, Willamette Valley Project operations project manager, speaks to current conditions, potential impacts and related challenges throughout the Valley.
  • Hurricane Risk Reduction Measures coming to the Rockaways

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District announces the first contract award for the East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay, New York Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project. This is the first of several contracts that will provide nearly $600 million in federal investment for the construction of storm risk reduction infrastructure on both the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and the Jamaica Bay shoreline of the Rockaway Peninsula.

News Releases

  • US Army Reserve FEST members assist USACE’s COVID19 response projects for Navajo Nation

    Within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Albuquerque District has the lead assisting the Navajo Nation with their COVID19 response. The Albuquerque District is primarily assisting in the area of constructing alternate care facilities for the Navajo Nation and Indian Health Service.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Analysis of Snow Water Equivalent Annual Maxima in the Upper Connecticut River Basin Using a Max-Stable Spatial Process Model

    Abstract: Recent advances from the science of spatial extremes and model regularization were applied to develop areal-based extremes of snow water equivalent (SWE) data for the upper Connecticut River Basin. Development of areal-based SWE exceedance probability estimates are of relevance for cool season probabilistic flood hazard analyses (PFHA). The approach profiled in this case study is applicable for other hydrometeor-ological variables of relevance to PFHA. The methodology conforms with Extreme Value Theory (EVT) for the analysis of spatial extremes; hence, there is a firm theoretical basis for extrapolation. Trend surface development is guided by EVT theory and recent advances for regularizing general linear models. R, a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, and QGIS, a free and open-source geographic information system, were the primary tools used for product development and delivery. The following R software packages were primarily used during project execution: evd, Glmnet, maps, raster, rgdal, SDMTools, sp, and SpatialExtremes. R software packages exist in the public domain and support PFHA analyses of varying complexities. Their application herein is not an endorsement or recommendation. It is recommended that one would need to evaluate any particular R software package regarding its suitability for use for any specific application.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Effects of Boric Acid and Water Content on Fundamental Properties of Proprietary Magnesium Phosphate Cement (MPC) Products

    Abstract: Magnesium phosphate cements (MPCs) have been used for decades in proprietary products for pavement repairs. However, products with high exothermic temperatures have short working times, and research is needed to overcome these unfavorable characteristics. The effects of different boric acid and water contents on the fundamental properties of concrete was investigated through 34 trial batch modifications on the following commercially available MPC products: (1) Premier Magnesia’s PREMag PGDM, (2) BASF Master Builder’s MasterEmaco T545, and (3) CeraTech Inc.’s Pavemend TR. Overall results indicated that the increase of boric acid and water content produced favorable decreased temperatures and increased set times but retardation in the early age development of compressive strength. Modifications in the PREMag PGDM product resulted in poor workability, inaccurate time of setting due to a thixotropic nature, and unacceptable compressive strength loss. The Pavemend TR product was significantly affected by the addition of boric acid resulting in nonrecoverable compressive and bond strength loss, excessive expansions, failure at low freezing and thawing cycles, and unacceptable times of setting for rapid-repair applications. The T545 product showed promising performance with 28-day recovery in compressive, flexural, and bond strengths and minimal differences in other properties when compared to the control mixture.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Preliminary Assessment of Landform Soil Strength on Glaciated Terrain in New Hampshire

    Abstract: Accurate terrain characterization is important for predicting off-road vehicle mobility. Soil strength is a significant terrain characteristic affecting vehicle mobility. Collecting soil strength measurements is laborious, making in-situ observations sparse. Research has focused on providing soil strength estimates using remote sensing techniques that can provide large spatial and temporal estimates, but the results are often inaccurate. Past attempts have quantified the soil properties of arid environments using landform assessments; yet many military operating environments occupy high latitude regions with landscapes dominated by glacial deposits. This study took preliminary strength measurements for glacial landforms deposited from the Laurentide Ice Sheet in New England. A range of common glacial landforms were sampled to assess shear strength, bearing capacity, and volumetric moisture content. Glacial outwash landforms had the highest average shear strengths, glacial deltas the lowest. There was a significant negative correlation between silt content and shear strength of the soil, a significant positive correlation between bearing capacity and clay content, and a significant negative correlation with sand content. Moisture content of soils was inversely correlated to the abundance of gravel in the deposit. This work provides initial insight to this approach on glaciated terrain, but continued sampling will provide more robust correlations.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Improved Vehicle Mobility by Using Terrain Surfacing Systems

    Abstract: Even for military vehicles designed with superior off-road capabilities, problematic soil conditions can impede mobility, particularly when many vehicles need to traverse the same path. Loose sands with little shear strength or wet silts or clays with little bearing capacity can deform rapidly under traffic. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center researchers conducted field testing over several terrain conditions to measure performance of terrain surfacing systems designed to improve vehicle mobility. Soil conditions included poorly-graded sand, medium-strength silt, weak marsh, and two different slope conditions. Five different terrain surfacing, or matting systems, were tested that included four commercial variants and one U.S. government design. All testing took place at the ERDC Ground Vehicle Terrain Surfacing Test Facility in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Military test vehicles included a Marine Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Common Bridge Transporter, and M1 Abrams tank. Results from the testing showed that all matting systems provided notable improvement in the number of allowable vehicle passes over soft sands. Results varied for the different systems over weaker soils, with performance improved for those matting systems having thicker and stiffer panels. However, improved performance among matting systems came with a sacrifice of increased logistical burden. Data presented here-in include detailed site characteristics and soil deformation as a function of traffic.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Laboratory Characterization of Rapid-Setting Flowable Fill

    Abstract: Utility Fill One-Step 750® is a rapid-setting flowable fill product that has previously been validated in numerous full-scale demonstrations as an expedient backfill solution for Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery. Although the field performance of Utility Fill One-Step 750® has been extensively documented, a full laboratory characterization has not been conducted. This report analyzes and documents results from several laboratory tests conducted at two water to-product ratios. The tests conducted are based on the suite of tests that make up the triservice spall repair certification program used for rapid-setting concrete products. Tests include strength and set time-related properties, typical parameter control tests for concrete, and tests to determine the mineralogy and chemical makeup of the material. Long-term expansion and contraction properties were also tested. The data presented herein are intended to provide an overall assessment of Utility Fill One-Step 750® and to provide reasonable estimates of various design parameters. The results can be used as a basis for the future development of a formal laboratory certification protocol to down-select other rapid-setting flowable fill products for further evaluation.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Application of Chirp Acoustic Sub-Bottom Data in Riverine Environments: Identification of Underlying Rocky Hazards at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Thebes, Illinois

    NOTE: A revised version of the report MRG&P Report No. 31 has been published. While the link below remains valid, the PDF attached to the record is new. It is now 47 pages instead of 45 pages after the changes made. Please update your records as needed.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Lake Providence to Old River Geomorphology Assessment

    Abstract: This report integrates information from previous geomorphic studies coupled with new analysis to provide a comprehensive geomorphic characterization of the Lake Providence (River Mile [RM] 487.2 Above Head of Passes [AHP]) to Old River Control Complex, (RM 317 AHP) reach from the early-1800s to present. Individual components of this study included the following: historical geomorphic studies, development of an events timeline, specific gage records, stage and flow duration trends, trends in water surface slopes, bed material studies, suspended sediment data, channel geometry data, and effects of channel improvement features (cutoffs, dike, revetment, and dredging). These individual assessments were consolidated to develop an overall assessment of how the study reach has evolved since the early-1800s.
  • Corps begins "delicate dance" as possibility of drought looms

    Erik Petersen, Willamette Valley Project operations project manager, speaks to current conditions, potential impacts and related challenges throughout the Valley.
  • Hurricane Risk Reduction Measures coming to the Rockaways

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District announces the first contract award for the East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay, New York Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project. This is the first of several contracts that will provide nearly $600 million in federal investment for the construction of storm risk reduction infrastructure on both the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and the Jamaica Bay shoreline of the Rockaway Peninsula.

Mississippi Valley Division

Institute for Water Resources

South Pacific Division

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