22 Apr 2024

Leaders celebrate hangar completion at Yuma Proving Ground

The U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground’s primary mission is to test the nation’s military ground combat equipment; however, for nearly 30 years, its vast desert ranges also have been used by the Military Freefall School to train thousands of the military’s most elite paratroopers.

27 Feb 2024

USACE completes largest child development center in the Army at Fort Wainwright

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District is conducting its post-construction activities after building a state-of-the-art child development center which will accommodate up to 338 children under five years old. As the largest center in the Army, the new 43,000-square foot construction plays an important role in the district’s continued goal of improving the quality of life of servicemembers and their families serving in the Last Frontier.

6 Feb 2024

Innovative project receives 2023 Department of the Air Force Design Award

When you hear the word ‘merit’, you probably think of a great achievement or outstanding accomplishment. Both of those things could be used to describe the work of the Whiteman Air Force Base Resident Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District on the Consolidated Operations Building at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The civil engineering team at Whiteman has done great work on this building, and their effort was recognized. The Combined Operations Building was selected as the recipient of a Merit Award for the 2023 Department of the Air Force Design Awards at the 14th annual Design and Construction Partnering Symposium, sponsored by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.

31 Jan 2024

Alaska District to begin major infrastructure projects in 2024, emphasis on best small business practices

The Alaska District is preparing for a productive 2024 construction season in the Last Frontier. The organization's robust workload includes major infrastructure construction efforts under the district's civil and military programs in every corner of the state.

25 Jan 2024

ERDC leads advances in sustainable materials for military construction

Climate change is a major priority for the Biden administration, which has set a goal to reach net zero emissions by no later than 2050. As the Army works to meet these goals and accomplish the objectives set in its own Climate Strategy, it has begun to focus more attention on one of its biggest emissions drivers: construction activities related to its vast inventory of buildings.

28 Dec 2023

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District demonstrates excellence in FY24, celebrates record-breaking 2023 achievements

Restoration to the Chesapeake’s ecosystem, environmental justice, flood risk management, dredging and navigation improvement, and water supply to Washington, D.C. and Virginia residents continue at the top of the list as USACE, Baltimore District priorities in fiscal year 2024.

20 Dec 2023

Graphene in Cementitious Materials

Abstract: This project aims to determine the influence of laboratory-generated graphene (LGG) and commercial-grade graphene (CGG) on the chemical structure and compressive strength of graphene-cement mixtures. Determining the graphene-cement structure/processing/property relationships provides the most useful information for attaining the highest compressive strength. Graphene dose and particle size, speed of mixing, and dispersant agent were found to have important roles in graphene dispersion by affecting the adhesion forces between calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gels and graphene surfaces that result in the enhanced strength of cement-graphene mixtures. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses were used to determine chemical microstructure, and compression testing for mechanical properties characterization, respectively. Based on observed results both LGG and CGG graphene cement mixtures showed an increase in the compressive strength over 7-, 14-, and 28-day age curing periods. Preliminary dispersion studies were performed to determine the most effective surfactant for graphene dispersion. Future studies will continue to research graphene—cement mortar and graphene—concrete composites using the most feasible graphene materials. These studies will prove invaluable for military programs, warfighter support, climate change, and civil works.

11 Dec 2023

District Officer Introductory Course offers unique learning experience for junior officers

One common misconception about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is that most people who work for the agency are in the military. In fact, of the roughly 37,000 people who work for USACE, only about 800 are active-duty military, with the vast majority being civilians. Because there are so few uniformed USACE employees across the enterprise, an annual course was developed to bring them together to learn about the organization from a military perspective. The District Officer Introductory Course is an annual course that is designed to bring junior officers from all over USACE together to learn, collaborate and network. This year’s course was hosted by the St. Louis District in St. Louis, from December 4 to 8. The Kansas City District and the Louisville District both supported the course.

23 Oct 2023

Fort Jackson Elementary School Receives Playground Upgrade For Military Kids

In the heart of the Fort Jackson military community, laughter and youthful exuberance fill the air at the C.C. Pinckney Elementary School’s newly resurfaced playground area.

17 Oct 2023

Peaks and valleys: Northwestern Division leverages regional project sharing to complete the mission

Comprised of nearly 37,000 employees, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with engineering solutions for the nation’s toughest challenges. Across the enterprise, many divisions and districts have seen a surge in workload over the last few years. While USACE has seen similar surges in the past, this increase in workload is larger than many can remember in recent history. The source of the current surge in workload is twofold. According to Col. Travis Rayfield, Kansas City District commander and district engineer, there has been an increase in funding from Congress through various infrastructure bills, which has resulted in more work across the enterprise. Additionally, The Economy Act allows federal agencies to enter into agreements to obtain supplies or services from another agency. This increase in funding for projects, coupled with an increase in resource sharing among agencies, has resulted in the surge in workload the enterprise is experiencing across the nation.