A Concept for Rapid Repair of Bomb-Damaged Runways Using Regulated-Set Cement

A concept of a system using regulated-set cement for the rapid repair of bomb-damaged runways is presented. Bomb craters formed by the explosion of 750-lb. bombs beneath the pavement are repaired by concurrently filling the lower regions of the crater with the ejecta from the crater and a regulated-set cement cellular concrete. As filler nears the top of the crater, the ejecta is omitted and a stronger cellular concrete is placed as the subbase material. A regulated-set cement mortar is placed as the wearing surface. This repair can be applied to make runways operational 4 hours from the start of the repair. The concept was evaluated by repairing a number of smaller craters using the equipment and procedures developed for the repair concept. The equipment consists of portable, continuous batching and pumping equipment. The evaluations indicated that the equipment possessed sufficient flexibility to repair everything from potholes to full-size craters. All regulated-set cement repairs are permanent and do not have to be upgraded or removed and replaced. Implementation of the regulated-set cement repair concept reduces manpower requirements approximately 25 from present repair procedures. The level of manpower skills required is similar to those presently used.