Soilworks products are the industry’s top standard due to our insistence on creating high performance soil stabilization and dust control products that stand up to rigorous testing – both in the lab and in the field. Our commitment to quality and performance has led to our involvement and testing in hundreds of real-world situations. The following library of reports, presentations, specifications, approvals and other similar documents provide you, our customer, the transparency and dependable assurance that is expected from Soilworks.
Developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), this field report details a multi-phase dust abatement program focused on military helipads and lines-of-communication. Commercial off-the-shelf palliatives were evaluated for their effectiveness under rotary-wing aircraft operations, with products like Soiltac®—a synthetic copolymer emulsion from Soilworks—field-tested and procured for rapid deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. Modified hydroseeding systems were used to apply Soiltac and other stabilizers to helipads and adjacent airfield zones, providing immediate relief from brownout conditions and reducing rotor-induced dust hazards.
For aviation logistics teams and base operations planners, Soilworks offers:
Soiltac®: Proven dust suppression and surface stabilization for helipads, taxiways, and unpaved military roads
Rapid application using hydroseeders adapted for combat-zone deployment
Demonstrated impact on reducing visibility-related accidents and equipment maintenance
To enhance operational safety and airfield performance in expeditionary environments, contact Soilworks for field-tested dust abatement solutions using Soiltac.
Description
Investigations of dust control by the ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory focus on developing product recommendations and application guidance for mitigating dust on helipads and lines-of-communication in both combat and sustainment roles. The program began in FY04 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom for the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC).
Capabilities
Efforts to identify optimal solutions for dust mitigation have involved a thorough evaluation of commercial-off-the-shelf dust palliatives as well as application equipment. Field demonstrations have validated procedures for effectively reducing dust on helipads and unpaved roads. In early FY06, a dust abatement handbook will be published as an ERDC report. The handbook will offer complete guidance including considerations such as climate, soil type, mission objectives, and resource availability.
Benefits
Effective dust control measures can reduce the threat of dust-related casualties during military operations and improve mobility in theater. Prevention of brown-out conditions during helicopter landings can decrease vehicle maintenance and reduce the threat of crew fatalities. Enhanced visibility along lines-of-communication and in base camps can improve support maneuvers and operational efficiency.
Success Stories
ERDC team members conducted an initial field demonstration of helipad dust abatement in Yuma, AZ. Based on their recommendations, the required materials were procured by MCSC and available for use in Iraq and Afghanistan 45 days after the demonstration. Hydroseeding application devices modified to meet Marine Corps specifications were used to treat helipads and large areas adjacent to taxiways on U.S.-controlled airfields. Dust palliatives recommended by ERDC researchers provided relief from the persistent dust problems associated with helicopter and aircraft movement.
Points of Contact
Jeb S. Tingle, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 Jeb.S.Tingle@erdc.usace.army.mil, 601-634-2467
John F. Rushing, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180-6199 John.F.Rushing@erdc.usace.army.mil, 601-634-3577
Figure – Dust mitigation on a U.S. Border Patrol road in Douglas, AZ, using a trailer-mounted hydroseeder being pulled by a HMMWV
Figure – ERDC researchers use a hydroseeder to create a dust-free helicopter landing pad in Yuma, AZ
