EVALUATION OF SURFACING MATERIALS FOR FIRM BASE TACTICAL AIRFIELDS; BARE BASE SUPPORT

Several types of production and experimental membranes were evaluated to determine their ability to withstand abrasive and tearing effects caused by fighter and heavy cargo aircraft tires during ground operations. Materials tested were WX18, a neoprene-coated membrane, T16 membrane, T1 membrane with a double bituminous surface treatment DBST, and an 11-mil-thick high-strength steel membrane. The materials were subjected to locked-wheel skid and short-radius turn tests using equivalent F-4C and C-130 aircraft wheel loads. From the results of the study, it was concluded that a WX18 can be used as an expedient surfacing material on an assault airfield with adequate soil strength and will withstand the abrasions caused by ground operations of fighter and heavy cargo aircraft, with minor maintenance required in areas with severe abrasions b with DBST, T16, and 11-mil steel membranes cannot withstand the abrasive effect of locked-wheel skids of fighter aircraft and c the soil strength stipulated by design criteria for assault fields based on static and rolling loads may not be adequate in all cases to provide surfacing that will withstand the increased loads caused by locked-wheel skids.