U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)’s Post

In late June, leaders with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers broke ground on a new facility that will support and expand research efforts at the Permafrost Tunnel Research Complex in Fox, Alaska. The Permafrost Tunnel Operations Facility, a 4,300 square-foot building will contribute to significant advances in permafrost engineering and geotechnical research. Situated on a 16-acre parcel in Fox, the permafrost tunnel which is part of the ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), is a 650-meter-long research facility dug into a large block of continuous permafrost. CRREL is one of the world’s premier centers for research in the Earth’s cold regions. For more than 60 years, its engineers and scientists have helped the nation meet the challenges encountered in some of harshest and most austere cold region environments. US Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division #alaska #permafrost #geotechnical #engineer #engineering #geotechnicalengineering #ice #austereenvironments #coldregions #climateresilience #science #innovation #technology #research #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

In collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District and Virginia Commonwealth University, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has conducted studies to see if existing time-of-year restrictions – or TOYRs – on dredging are still necessary along the James River in Virginia. An important USACE mission is maintaining federal waterways to ensure safe, reliable and efficient navigation. To fulfill this mission, USACE conducts routine maintenance dredging to keep channel depths at required levels. However, there are TOYRs in place that prohibit dredging operations during specific timeframes due to concerns of negative environmental effects. For the James River specifically, the restriction of dredging in the spring is to allow anadromous fish the opportunity to spawn without impacts from dredging operations. This research has questioned the need for the existing TOYRs in the James River area and shown that removing the restrictions may provide a better outcome for the environment. To learn more about this research, visit https://lnkd.in/gGvFtZs8. US Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District Virginia Commonwealth University #dredging #navigation #environment #environmental #environmentalengineering #restrictions #guidelines #wetlands #fish #species #engineer #engineers #engineering #ecosystems #science #innovation #technology #research #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

With more than 700 dams and 4,000 miles of levees under its management, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Operational Condition Assessment System ensures safety and reliability. However, with 70 percent of flood risk management dams nearing or exceeding their service lives, there is a critical need for targeted interventions. By integrating risk assessments into the assessment process, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center is pioneering a solution that identifies high-risk facilities and optimizes resource allocation. This innovative approach not only safeguards communities but also unlocks millions in maintenance funds annually. Learn more about this research in the latest edition of “Civil Works R&D: Value to the Nation” by visiting https://lnkd.in/geZx-hrT. US Army Corps of Engineers #infrastructure #dams #levees #flood #floodrisk #floodriskmanagement #resilience #climate #climateresilience #civilworks #risk #riskassessment #maintenance #science #innovation #technology #research #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Environmental Laboratory together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently created a resource aimed at streamlining wetland delineation. The Automated Wetland Determination Data Sheets (ADS) are designed to streamline and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the wetland delineation data collection and reporting process, facilitating responsible natural resource management while providing a valuable tool for the public. Learn more about this tool and how to access and utilize it in the article below. https://buff.ly/3TzpLJO #stormwaterresources #npdes #npdestraining #npdestraininginstitute #trainingthatmatters #stormwater #stormwatermanagers #stormwaterprofessionals #stormwatertraining #ms4training #ms4smatter #waterquality

🚢🌊 Keeping the Mississippi River Navigable: The Role of Engineering 🌊🚢 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking a crucial task just south of St. Louis, Missouri – ensuring the Mississippi River remains open for navigation. The Dredge Goetz, a 225-feet long and 600-ton vessel, plays a pivotal role in this endeavor. 🛠️💧 Powered by a 4,010 hp diesel engine, the Goetz is capable of dredging up to 1,000 cubic yards per hour, maintaining crucial waterways including 850 miles of the Upper Mississippi River, 355 miles of the Illinois River, and 24 miles of the St. Croix River. 🏗️🛤️ This operation is not just about keeping the river's pathways clear; it's a testament to the engineering skills and strategic planning required to manage and preserve one of America's most vital waterways. 🌐🔍 Learn more about this significant engineering feat: https://ow.ly/FfFj50Qskuc #MississippiRiver #RiverNavigation #EngineeringExcellence

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the 511th Engineer Dive Detachment worked together in the demolition of a damaged 120-ton mooring dolphin at a critical refueling pier in the Kwajalein Atoll, located more than 2,000 miles southwest of Hawaii. Researchers from the ERDC Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) provided specialty engineering, modeling and oversight for the demolition. Constructed in 1954, the dolphin was seriously damaged and unstable, often observed moving with tidal activity. If left alone, an uncontrolled failure of the dolphin could cause significant damage to the concrete pier and the ship channel, preventing ships from accessing the island's only refueling location. GSL’s support included computational modeling of the dolphin and the pier under different demolition scenarios to determine the optimum solution for demolishing the dolphin without compromising the structural integrity of the concrete pier. Onsite support was provided to ensure safety to the personnel before, during and after demolition. United States Department of Defense US Army #military #kwajalein #pacific #army #demoliton #explosives #safety #modeling #engineer #engineering #geotechnical #shipping #refueling #science #innovation #technology #research #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

As a Civil Engineer and a Bachelor of Comp Science, I am often asked about my role in the military. Many people assume that engineers are confined to the realm of technical pursuits far removed from the chaos of combat. However, the reality is quite different. The motto of the Sappers, 'Sarvatra', meaning 'Omnipresent', encapsulates the diverse expertise required across the length and breadth of the battlefield. From constructing bridges under enemy fire to breaching enemy minefields, we achieve success through meticulous planning, realistic training, and a high level of leadership at all levels. In addition to our combat duties, we also facilitate logistics by constructing essential infrastructure such as water points and helipads to support forward operating bases and sustain troop operations in remote and austere environments. We are also the first responders when civil authorities encounter mishaps or natural disasters, be it flood relief, tunnel caving-in, or a child stuck in a borewell. Sappers are truly the architects of chaos and order, shaping the Battlefield and beyond. So the next time you wonder about the role of engineers in the military, remember that it's not just about technical expertise but also about deftly navigating a #VUCA environment. #military #veterans #veterantransition

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), in partnership with combat engineers, conducted a full-scale evaluation of the Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) for rafting operations on the Ohio River. The IRB is designed to function in two main configurations, bridging and rafting, providing wet-gap-crossing capabilities for mechanized forces. The main objective of this bridging test was to determine the conditions under which the IRB can safely raft the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank. ERDC provided subject matter expertise, logistics coordination, instrumentation support and a surrogate tank specially designed for this test to represent the loading conditions of the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3. The teams worked under extreme weather conditions while still accomplishing a successful experiment. Critical support was provided by soldiers from the 20th Engineer Brigade/19th Engineer Battalion/502nd Multi-Role Bridging Company, which deployed seven bays of the IRB and operated the bridge erection boats used to carry out the rafting of the bridge. ERDC’s team was made up of researchers from ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, and Information Technology Laboratory. United States Department of Defense US Army US Army Corps of Engineers #military #maneuvers #river #wetgapcrossing #militaryvehicles #engineer #militaryengineers #engineers #engineering #extremeweather #information #informationtechnology #geotechnical #geotechnicalengineering #hydraulics #tank #abrams #science #innovation #technology #research #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

Col. Christian Patterson, APRᐩM, Fellow PRSA, Commander of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), along with leaders from the ERDC Environmental Laboratory (EL), visited employees and learned about ongoing research efforts at the EL Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility (LAERF) in Lewisville, Texas. The LAERF team is continuing to push world-class engineering and science in aquatic research that has a significant impact on our nation’s lakes, river and waterways. The visit also included demonstrations of ERDC’s ongoing research into harmful algal blooms. To learn more about LAERF, visit https://lnkd.in/d2BcvwDp. US Army Corps of Engineers #aquatic #ecosystem #ecosystemrestoration #research #appliedresearch #environment #environmental #environmentalengineering #invasive #invasivespecies #climatechange #climatecrisis #sustainable #vegetation #planning #masterplanning #military #installations #modernize #modernization #science #innovation #technology #engineer #engineers #engineering #researchanddevelopment #PowerofERDC

Of course I am an Engineer!