Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2021 - 60

FACILITY FOCUS
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
T
he U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
(ERDC), established in 1998, is the research organization
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. ERDC conducts R&D in
support of the soldier, military installations, and civil works
projects (water resources, environmental missions, etc.) as well
as for other federal agencies, state and municipal authorities,
and U.S. industry through innovative work agreements.
The ERDC helps solve problems in civil and military engineering,
geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental
sciences. Facilities range from supercomputers to physical
models. The center's Cray XT3 and XT4 supercomputers are
some of the most powerful and fastest in the world, with a capability
that exceeds 3.5 quadrillion calculations per second.
ERDC's seven research laboratories function as integrated
teams of engineers and scientists to address a broad range of science
and technology issues - from operating in Arctic temperatures
and vehicle mobility in desert sands, to protecting wetlands
and pinpointing the exact location of an artillery round.
Research and development is conducted in five major areas:
1. Military Engineering
Military Engineering provides technologies and capabilities
to the warfighter to enable force protection and maneuver.
This area develops novel, lightweight, rapidly constructed protection
systems that can be expediently deployed in remote
locations. From the research and development of these innovative
protection systems, survivability decision aids have been
developed to not only allow for rapid assessment of current
protection postures but also to provide enhanced designs to
increase defense against attacks.
Researchers have designed advanced numerical methods for
characterization of blast fragmentation and mitigation on
structures and have evaluated the effects of weapon systems
based on worldwide building construction material types.
Using Department of Defense (DOD) high-performance computing
(HPC) capabilities, researchers developed physicsbased
numerical simulations for evaluation of sensor perfor -
mance in complex geo-environments and advanced simulation
capabilities that allow for evaluation of manned and un -
manned ground vehicle performance.
Researchers are investigating sensor modalities that will
allow for monitoring and assessment of critical infrastructure
used for entry and maneuver in theater.
2. Environmental Quality and Installations
This area's approach is to advance and exploit science and
technology to maximize the long-term contributions of the
built and natural environments to the Army's readiness and
operational success. Solutions focus on highly sustainable and
cost-effective approaches for the lifecycle management of military
lands, ranges, and infrastructure.
60
Cov
A barracks hut was constructed with the Automated Construction of
Expeditionary Structures that prints concrete structures. The 3D printer
reduces building materials shipped by half and construction manpower
requirements by 62 percent when compared to expedient plywood construction
in overseas military construction.
Technologies enhance the warfighter training experience,
reduce training land restrictions, improve soldier safety, provide
for efficient use of limited resources such as energy and
water, and facilitate sustainability planning with local and
regional communities.
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ToC
Tech Briefs, November 2021
Researchers in the Arctic install an Ice Mass Balance buoy to investigate
sea ice stress. Buoy components include an above-ice acoustic sounder,
under-ice acoustic sounder, and a temperature string extending from the
air, through the snow cover and sea ice, and into the water with the temperature
sensors located along the string.
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Tech Briefs Magazine - November 2021

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