Full-Scale Instrumented Testing and Three-Dimensional Modeling of Airfield Matting Systems
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14, Issue 2
Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the U.S. Army COE for sponsoring this research and acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Philip Gullet (Mississippi State University) for providing technical assistance with the FE modeling. Permission to publish this work was given by the Director, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 14 • Issue 2 • April 2014
Pages: 161 - 170
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 10, 2011
Accepted: Nov 21, 2012
Published online: Nov 22, 2012
Published in print: Apr 1, 2014
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