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The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation's public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil. To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default.

In October 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), announced the establishment of an interim force, known as the Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), to fill a perceived void in force capability and strategic responsiveness. The expectation of the IBCT is that it is totally air deployable anywhere in the world within 96-hours of the first aircraft taking off. The IBCT Operations and Organization (O&O) design postulates the IBCT to employ immediately upon arrival. This is accomplished using several innovations in technology as well as conceptual.These new expectations demand a serious look at the method of deployment for the unit and the deployment system in total. In order for the IBCT to employ upon arrival it must deploy in combat configuration. Historically, units divide into deployable pieces, to maximize the limited strategic lift assets, and reconfigure in the theater of operations. Examining the deployment process to understand the complete system and then focus specifically on the last leg of the four-legged process -port-to-foxhole.Port-to-foxhole, also known as Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI), is the process to piece together the deploying pieces into combat effective units. RSOI takes from three to nine days depending on the theater and size unit. The question is whether the new IBCT innovations can eliminate all or part of RSOI. In an attempt to answer the question, this monograph analyzes RSOI functions and how the affects of the IBCT innovations. Finally, it summarizes the previous analysis and presents several recommendations for the logistical community's consideration.iii

In below-grade buildings and buried structures, such as those constructed as hardened secure facilities and used for munitions storage on U.S. Army installations, water intrusion can cause serious damage and reduce penetration resistance. Inside the building active water and high humidity can result in corrosion of HVAC, electronic equipment, as well as damage or disrupt mission critical electronic equipment. In the adjacent backfill and the structure itself, excessive water can seriously compromise the structural hardening of the facility. Thus, it is vital to Army sustainability to control moisture in below-grade structures and eliminate corrosion of electrical mechanical equipment. This also prevents mold growth on the interior surface of below grade concrete walls and floors. Control of water movement involves both actively removing water in and around a building, and the use of barriers to prevent water from penetrating to interior spaces. A pumping system is typically required with the use of a barrier system to assist in controlling the movement of moisture into the structure. Conventional waterproofing technologies are expensive and often have short service life. A new approach is needed—a cost effective and robust solution—to the pervasive problem of water intrusion. Electro-Osmotic Pulse is a promising alternative solution presented here. Electro-Osmotic Pulse (EOP) technology uses pulses of electricity to reverse the flow of water seepage. The applied voltage causes moisture to flow out of the basement walls and away from the building. The technology works by alternately pulsating a direct electric field with an off period. The first part of the sequence consists of a pulse of positive voltage (as seen from the dry side of the concrete wall), followed by a pulse of negative voltage. This is followed by a period when no voltage is applied. Of the three parts, the positive voltage pulse has the greatest time duration. The amplitude of the positive signal is typically on the order of 20 to 40 Volts DC. This electrical pulse causes cations (e.g., Ca++) and associated water molecules to move from the dry side (anode) towards the wet side (cathode) against the direction of flow induced by the hydraulic gradient, thus preventing water penetration through buried concrete structures. Laboratory and field tests have shown an increase in calcium compounds at the cathode side of test specimens. The negative portion of the pulse increases the efficiency of moisture movement by depolarizing the electrodes. Electro-Osmotic Pulse (EOP) technology has been successfully installed in military structures such as family housing, steel reinforced deep structures, and tunnels. EOP has also been implemented on Civilian structures such as residential structures, D.C. Metro Tunnels, and an underground treasury vault. EOP has been shown to prevent moisture seepage into below-grade structures. It is effective at keeping concrete surfaces at or below 50 percent humidity content, meaning the treated space stays dry, indoor relative humidity stays low, and no mold or mildew can grow. This technology has received the 2002 international NOVA award for innovation in construction, and twice nominated for the CERF Pankow award (1999 and 2004). The ERDC research on this technology has also been recognized by the 2004 Army Research and Development Achievement Award.

The Iraqi Village Project is a planned training center that will create a realistic training environment to simulate urban warfare in the Middle East. However, the materials, design, and construction methods typical in the Middle East do not provide adequate seismic protection. The Los Angeles District tasked the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) with developing alternative construction methods consistent with the overall project objectives and to test structural components to determine whether the alternative construction methods are adequate to withstand seismic design loads. ERDC-CERL conducted in-plane cyclic load tests on three double wythe panels and out-of-plane cyclic load tests on 24 double wythe wall strips of the same materials and construction to be used in the project. Unimproved walls and two alternative methods of strengthening were also tested. Elements to be addressed were the lack of adequate in-plane shear strength to resist lateral loads, and the lack of minimum reinforcement within the walls. Two surface applied overlay systems were considered as candidates for mitigating seismic risk. Results of the testing were analyzed and documented, and recommendations were made, including design detailing. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.