Full-Scale Instrumented Testing and Three-Dimensional Modeling of Airfield Matting Systems

Matting systems are used for temporary applications on soft soils to reduce ground pressure exerted by aircraft, heavy equipment, vehicles, and construction material. They have been used for military airfields, construction platforms, and similar applications. Previous evaluation studies of matting systems have typically consisted of full-scale testing, with only a limited amount of numerical modeling found in the literature. This paper presents results of full-scale accelerated testing of 21 test sections encompassing five matting systems, five soil-support conditions, and two aircraft loadings. One of the soil-support conditions was instrumented and tested in conjunction with three matting systems and one aircraft loading. Three-dimensional finite-element modeling was performed on the instrumented sections using the measured test data for calibration. Good matches of measured soil stresses were obtained with the model for two of the mats, whereas the model underpredicted stresses in the third mat. Modeling of the type performed in this paper was capable of correctly ranking the performance of the matting systems modeled relative to the full-scale test results.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000272
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/15323641
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Authors:
  • Doyle, Jesse D
  • Howard, Isaac L
  • Gartrell, Chad A
  • Anderton, Gary L
  • Newman, J Kent
  • Berney IV, Ernest S
• Publication Date: 2014-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 161-170
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Geomechanics
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1532-3641
  • EISSN: 1943-5622
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/ijgnai

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airport runways; Finite element method; Ground pressure; Heavy vehicles; Prototype tests; Soft soils
• Uncontrolled Terms: Soil stress
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Geotechnology; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01520804
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 2 2014 9:43AM