Project Details
RESEARCHERS
Shannon, Jameson D; Carruth, William D; Norwood, Gregory J; Carr, Harold T
SPONSORS
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS
KEYWORDS
Airport runways, Cement composites, Materials storage, Moisture damage, Moisture sensors, Monitoring, Rapid setting patch materials
Project description
Storage of airfield damage repair (ADR) materials on site is essential for rapid repair operations. However, ADR materials may have limited shelf lives and are prone to degradation in the presence of moisture. This study investigated methods of storage to reduce moisture damage and to monitor moisture present in ADR materials. Various techniques were evaluated to reduce moisture in storage containers, and Super Sacks® of materials were installed with sensors to monitor moisture. Two common ADR materials, Rapid Set Concrete Mix® and Utility Fill 1-Step 750®, were included in the testing procedure. Two different sensors were tested for monitoring moisture: a standard soil moisture probe and an engineered Radio Frequency Identification Reader (RFID) moisture detector. Absorpole desiccants were found to be the most beneficial of the techniques tested in reducing humidity and removing water from the storage container. The RFID moisture detector was found to be able to detect moisture events better than the soil moisture sensor, which was unable to detect moisture events even when stored outside. Recommendations for future storage conditions and monitoring are provided. This study demonstrates the capability of moisture monitoring in cementitious material Super Sacks and provides groundwork for further optimization of storage protocols.
