• Automated Detection of Austere Entry Landing Zones: A “GRAIL Tools” Validation Assessment

    Abstract: The Geospatial Remote Assessment for Ingress Locations (GRAIL) Tools software is a geospatial product developed to locate austere entry landing zones (LZs) for military aircraft. Using spatial datasets like land classification and slope, along with predefined LZ geometry specifications, GRAIL Tools generates binary suitability filters that distinguish between suitable and unsuitable terrain. GRAIL Tools combines input suitability filters, searches for LZs at user‐defined orientations, and plots results. To refine GRAIL Tools, we: (a) verified software output; (b) conducted validation assessments using five unpaved LZ sites; and (c) assessed input dataset resolution on outcomes using 30 and 1‐m datasets. The software was verified and validated in California and the Baltics, and all five LZs were correctly identified in either the 30 or the 1‐m data. The 30‐m data provided numerous LZs for consideration, while the 1‐m data highlighted hazardous conditions undetected in the 30‐m data. Digital elevation model grid size affected results, as 1‐m data produced overestimated slope values. Resampling the data to 5 m resulted in more realistic slopes. Results indicate GRAIL Tools is an asset the military can use to rapidly assess terrain conditions.
  • Savannah District members talk about role in supporting the environment

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District’s leaders and team members talked about what the District does to maintain, restore, protect, and improve the environment through its many projects and regulatory programs at the 15th annual Georgia Environmental Conference Aug. 23-26.
  • Screening Dredged Material to Meet Placement Requirements

    Abstract: Certain types of dredging projects require screening of the dredged material (DM) to achieve the project’s DM placement requirement(s). Screening in the context of this report will be defined as the separation of an oversized fraction of the DM from the remaining fraction to meet project-specific placement compliance criteria (or criterion). Examples of DM placement requirements include aspects such as removing Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) to address safety concerns and extracting over-sized material for beneficial use of DM (e.g., gravel and debris from sand to meet beach nourishment placement standards). Welp et al. (2008) provide detailed guidance for personnel involved in dredging projects with sediment containing MEC. The purpose of this document is to not only update the previous MEC-centric guidance with newly developed or identified technology but to also expand upon screening aspects to provide guidance for personnel involved in dredging projects that require removal of an oversized fraction for screening purposes other than just MEC removal.
  • Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Chad Blansett Awarded Silver De Fleury Medal

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Chad Blansett was awarded the Silver De Fleury Medal on Aug. 22nd, 2022.
  • CERL organizes first Army Installations 5G Innovation Summit

    The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineer Research Laboratory (CERL) hosted the first Army Installations 5G Innovation Summit at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
  • NR 22-19: Camp Attrahunt Boat Ramp closing for Poker Run

    SOMERSET, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2022) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that Camp Attrahunt Boat Ramp, including its parking lot on the shoreline of Lake Cumberland in Monticello, Kentucky, is closing Thursday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 11, during the Lake Cumberland Poker Run.
  • Legacy Datums and Changes in Benchmark Elevation through Time at the Old River Control Structure, Louisiana

    Abstract: Vertical datums used in the study area at the Old River Control Structure in southern Louisiana have involved Memphis Datum, Mean Gulf Level, Mean Sea Level, Mean Sea Level Datum of 1929, National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. The focus of this study was to examine historic benchmarks in the study area to determine the magnitude of elevation changes associated with the different legacy datums that have been used by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Comparison of elevation values across these legacy datums has involved examining historic hydrographic surveys, compiling a list of known benchmarks from these surveys, and comparing their elevation values against publications involving spirit-leveling surveys from the Lower Mississippi Valley and the National Geodetic Survey database for benchmarks. This study describes the history of legacy datums, floodplain geology at the Old River Control Structure, potential subsidence impacts affecting the benchmarks, methods for identification and tracking benchmarks, and the results obtained from this study.
  • Main Dam Bridge Deck Closure for Repairs

    CARLYLE LAKE – The Carlyle Lake Main Dam Bridge Deck will be closed Tuesday, 6 September 2022 until Tuesday, 13 September 2022 for routine maintenance. Cleaning and repair of the monolith joints ensure the integrity and increase the longevity of these structures.
  • Determination of Residual Low-Order Detonation Particle Characteristics from Composition B Mortar Rounds

    Empirical measurements of the spatial distribution, particle-size distribution, mass, morphology, and energetic composition of particles from low-order (LO) detonations are critical to accurately characterizing environ-mental impacts on military training ranges. This study demonstrated a method of generating and characterizing LO-detonation particles, previously applied to insensitive munitions, to 81 mm mortar rounds containing the conventional explosive formulation Composition B. The three sampled rounds had estimated detonation efficiencies ranging from 64% to 82% as measured by sampled residual energetic material. For all sampled rounds, energetic deposition rates were highest closer to the point of detonation; however, the mass per radial meter varied. The majority of particles (>60%), by mass, were <2 mm in size. However, the spatial distribution of the <2 mm particles from the point of detonation varied between the three sampled rounds. In addition to the particle-size-distribution results, several method performance observations were made, including command-detonation configurations, sampling quality control, particle-shape influence on laser-diffraction particle-size analysis (LD-PSA), and energetic purity trends. Overall, this study demonstrated the successful characterization of Composition B LO-detonation particles from command detonation through combined analysis by LD-PSA and sieving.
  • Tingle Selected as Top Innovator and Influencer for 2022

    The Resilient Roads Roundtable selected Jeb S. Tingle, senior scientific technical manager, in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory as a Top Innovator and Influencer for 2022.