Military Applications
Trailer Weight Reduction
The Military Trailer Weight Reduction Team has conducted investigations on the application of HSLA-V steel, or high-strength low-alloy steel microalloyed with vanadium, to reduce weight and improve performance of various military trailers. Based on the findings of these investigations, the team will develop a project plan for deployment of HSLA-V steels in current and proposed military trailers to achieve previously identified weight savings and performance improvements.
Project Objective
The objective of this project is to reduce the weight of military trailers by at least 15% through the application of HSLA-V steels. With a trailer weighing about 17,000 pounds; a 15% weight reduction would eliminate 2,550 pounds of weight.
HSLA-V Steel Reinforcement Bar
The project objective is to investigate HSLA-V steel, or high-strength low-alloy steel microalloyed with vanadium reinforcement bar and high-strength concrete for newly constructed reinforced concrete protective structures. These structures could be integrated into new US Army facilities or civilian applications.
Project Objective
The use of HSLA-V steel reinforcement bar combined with high strength concrete has potential application to the construction of facilities designed to resist extreme dynamic loads, such as blast or seismic loads. Combining this evolving class of construction materials would enable hardened structures to protect occupants and property while preventing progressive collapse. The HSLA-V reinforcement bar research provides opportunities to study and initiate structural component designs for enhanced energy absorption or reduced deflection for blast or seismic applications.
HSLA-V Steel Non-Standard Fixed Bridge
The U.S. Army maintains bridge designs for rapid reconstruction during deployed operations. However, heavy military loads and the materials required to support these loads often limit these bridges to short spans. The U.S. Army has need of bridges which can span long gaps and are readily deployable. HSLA-V steels are now used in girders and plates for highway bridges in the private sector, as they offer stronger, yet lighter weight structures. As an economical alternative to standard low C-Mn steels, HSLA-V steels are also easier to weld, exhibit a higher toughness, and are more resistant to the effects of corrosion.
Project Objective
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Carolina (USC) and the Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed to jointly investigate the benefits of HSLA-V steel and the utilization of existing private sector bridge technology in the redesign of current Army non-standard fixed bridges for rapid construction and minimized weight.
Long Span Structures
An initial case study of long span structures focused on the redesign of joist member sizes which resulted in weight savings when HSLA-V steel, or high-strength low-alloy steel microalloyed with vanadium, is used. In addition to the potential weight savings for joist girders, an added benefit of using HSLA-V steel was the increased load capacity of the joist girders for a given span.
Project Objectives
Use a military long-span structure as a demonstration project to more specifically determine the benefits of using HSLA-V steel joists. Significant potential cost and environmental benefits are expectd for military facility construction, such as hangers, maintenance facilities and warehouses.
Source: www.hsla-v.org
