FIELD TEST OF A MESL (MEMBRANE-ENVELOPED SOIL LAYER) ROAD SECTION IN CENTRAL ALASKA.

The MESL (Membrane-Enveloped Soil Layer) concept for using fine-grained soil as a structural embankment for expedient military uses was tested in a subarctic environment over two freeze-thaw seasons. The encapsulated silt was placed at a moisture content of approximately 4.5% below the optimum of 17.5% for the CE-12 compaction effort. Non-woven polypropylene membrane with CRS-2 emulsified asphalt was used as a waterproofing agent for both the bottom and top membranes. The emulsion was hand-applied with roofing cement brushes to simulate a remote tactical situation. The test section had dimensions of approximately 200 by 20 by 2 1/2 ft and had a sand surfacing about 1 1/2-in. thick. The north end of the section, which was undamaged by snow removal equipment, withstood over 500 traffic passes of a loaded military dump truck having a gross weight of nearly 9 tons during the second and third spring thaw seasons without major rutting.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/Task02
• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

  72 Lyme Road
  Hanover, NH  United States  03755-1290
• Authors:
  • SMITH, N
  • Pazsint, D A
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 40 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Embankments; Encapsulation; Fine grained soils; Membrane encapsulated soil layers; Soils; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Membranes
• Old TRIS Terms: Membranes (Biology)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125385
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: Task 02
• Report/Paper Numbers: Tr 260 Tech. Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM