Full-Scale Instrumented Testing of Multiple Airfield Matting Systems on Soft Soil to Characterize Permanent Deformation

Abstract This paper presents results from full-scale testing of six airfield matting systems of various materials and designs that were evaluated on subgrades constructed to a California bearing ratio (CBR) of 6 and subjected to simulated aircraft loads. Mat breakage, deformation, and subgrade earth pressure were monitored during each test to determine the effectiveness of the airfield mats in reducing cumulative subgrade deformation and decreasing subgrade stresses. Based on test results, a simplified expression was developed to predict subgrade deformation on a CBR of 6 as a function of aircraft passes and airfield mat properties. The values predicted showed reasonable correlation with the measured data. The empirical equation can be used as an expedient tool for characterizing airfield matting behavior.

[1]  Timothy W. Rushing,et al.  Full-Scale Evaluation of DuraDeck® and MegaDeck™ Matting Systems , 2013 .

[2]  Cecil D. Burns,et al.  Comparative Performance Tests of AM2 Mat from Various Extruders and Fabricators. , 1967 .

[3]  Chad A. Gartrell.  Full-Scale Instrumented Testing and Analysis of Matting Systems for Airfield Parking Ramps and Taxiways , 2007 .

[4]  Waterways Experiment Station.  Airplane landing mat investigation, engineering tests on steel, pierced type, M8 and aluminum, pierced type, M9 , 1951 .

[5]  Carlos R Gonzalez,et al.  Development of a New Design Methodology for Structural Airfield Mats , 2010 .

[6]  Isaac L. Howard,et al.  Prediction of soil deformation beneath temporary airfield matting systems based on full-scale testing , 2015 .

[7]  Isaac L. Howard,et al.  Full-Scale Instrumented Testing and Three-Dimensional Modeling of Airfield Matting Systems , 2014 .

[8]  Isaac L. Howard,et al.  Matting Solutions for Low-Volume Roads , 2011 .

[9]  R. D. Mindlin,et al.  Influence of rotary inertia and shear on flexural motions of isotropic, elastic plates , 1951 .

[10]  Gary L. Anderton,et al.  Performance Measurements of Pavement Matting Systems by Full-Scale Testing over Differing Soil Strengths , 2009 .

[11]  Robert Turner.  ENGINEERING TESTS OF T12 PLASTIC AIRPLANE LANDING MAT , 1961 .

[12]  Mark Anderson,et al.  Rapid Forward Deployment Made Easier with Composite Airfield Matting , 2004 .

[13]  Gordon L. Carr,et al.  Evaluation of Kaiser MX19-B and MX19-C Aluminum Honeycomb Landing Mat , 1973 .