• PUBLICATION NOTICE: Seismic Testing of an Indigenous Material Troop Constructible Building

    Abstract: An indigenous materials construction system was developed by a Small Business Innovative Research project – Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) project Contract W9132T-15-C-0002. The results of that project included the construction of a full scale 16 foot by 32-foot troop constructible building that was tested on the Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) shake table. This report documents the seismic testing of this building. The building consisted of prefabricated frames with interior and exterior wall panels and roof and ceiling panels. The building was tested with 30-second-long synthetic seismic motions, which began at low levels. The test amplitude was increased so that the final test conducted used motions based on a spectral acceleration tied to the highest seismic hazard in the United States. The base of the building was badly damaged in this final test, but it remained stable, demonstrating relatively good behavior. This report documents the measured response to these motions and the performance of the building.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: Fenton’s Reagent Treatability Study for Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils, McMurdo Station, Antarctica

    ABSTRACT:  Hydrocarbon-contaminated soil is distributed heterogeneously at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, which has served for over 60 years as the logistics hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program. Here we investigated the treatability of McMurdo Station’s contaminated soil with chemical oxidation. Our study collected five soil samples in 2018 and 2019, of which two contained high levels (>100 mg/kg) of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) suitable for the treatability study. One soil (ITC) was characterized by 1250 mg/kg of predominantly midrange (n-C8 to n-C16) hydrocarbons, and the other (Soil Pile) was characterized by 3500 mg/kg of predominantly heavy molecular weight (>n-C21) hydrocarbons. We investigated the treatability of these soils with both Fenton’s Reagent (pH < 3 with Fe2+) and modified Fenton’s Reagent (chelated Fe2+), each with hydrogen peroxide concentrations of 3% and 10%. Soil slurries were placed on a shaker table at 100 rpm and 4°C for up to 21 days. TPH concentrations were reduced by approximately 50% for ITC; however, the oxidative treatments did not out-perform controls. All treatments and controls yielded no significant reduction in Soil Pile TPH. Poor performance by these chemical oxidation treatments indicates that remediation of hydrocarbons at these sites may require further soil processing in combination with chemical oxidation or alternative treatment technologies.
  • PUBLICATION NOTICE: AIS Data Case Study: St. Louis Area Commercial Vessel Fleeting Activity and Potential River Training Structures

    Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), St. Louis District (MVS), needed to examine commercial river traffic patterns before designing new river training structures to reduce maintenance dredging costs in the St. Louis Harbor area of the Middle Mississippi River (MMR). The MMR is considered to be that portion of the Mississippi River from the confluence of the Missouri River down to the Ohio River, and the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is everything north of the Missouri River. MVS analyzed historic Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, which provide georeferenced and timestamped position reports for commercial vessels, to reveal river use patterns. The Mississippi River within the MVS area of responsibility is heavily trafficked by the shipping industry and includes numerous loading facilities and fleeting areas that are outside of the main navigation channel. This work identified previously unknown fleeting areas in locations that were being considered for siting of river training structures. These areas were then removed from potential construction consideration, thus avoiding conflict with shipping industry river use.
  • Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite signs Chief’s Report for the New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Project

    CONCORD, Mass. – Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, USACE Commanding General and 54th U.S. Army Chief of
  • Massachusetts Department of Transportation seeks Corps of Engineers permit for highway improvements in Taunton

    CONCORD, Mass. – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Highway Division, is seeking a
  • Customer service, morale; driving forces for FED mailroom operations during COVID 19

    CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea— Receiving mail and packages can often be a morale booster for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District employees while serving overseas. The COVID 19 pandemic continues to change operations almost daily, however, the district consolidated mailroom has continued its mission throughout this challenging period.
  • Corps lifts small craft advisory for Arkansas River

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lifts the small craft advisory for the Arkansas River.
  • USACE operated campgrounds on Lake Sakakawea to remain closed until at least June 1

    The Corps of Engineers operated campgrounds including the Downstream, East Totten Trail and Wolf Creek campgrounds in North Dakota will remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the earliest possible opening date being June 1.
  • Army Corps of Engineers announces signing of Chief’s Report for Civil Works Westchester County Streams, Byram River Basin, CT & NY Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study

    New York District announces that Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers has signed a Chief’s Report for the Byram River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study— a key milestone for the proposed project.
  • Mark Twain Lake Campground Changes and Opening Information

    Mark Twain Lake, May 11, 2020 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Mark Twain Lake would like to