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Long Span Structures       M871A3 Trailer Weight Reduction       Spiral-Welded Pipe               
Steel Non-Standard Fixed Bridge       Steel Reinforcement Bar

VANADIUM Long Span Structures
Researcher: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.
Project Background:
An initial case study of long span structures focused on the reduction in joist member sizes which results in weight savings when higher strength steels are used. In addition to the weight savings for joist girders, an added benefit of using the higher strength steel was the increased load capacity of the joist girders for a given span.
Project Objective:
Use a military long-span structure as a demonstration project to more specifically determine the benefits of using vanadium-alloyed steel joists. Significant potential cost and environmental benefits will be realized for military facility construction, such as hangars, maintenance facilities and warehouses.
Research Plan:
  • Work with steel producers and fabricators to investigate material and fabrication issues for making cost-effective, vanadium-alloyed steel joists.
  • Analyze representative trusses and their connections for a specific demonstration building.
  • Assess current code design limits and develop test programs to address any limits that inhibit the use of high strength, vanadium-alloyed steels.
  • Investigate stability and bracing requirements for the lighter, more slender joists and trusses.
  • Conduct full-scale load test of prototype trusses.
  • Perform a detailed investigation of production and erection costs, as well as environmental impacts.
Environmental Benefits:  
Domestic vanadium supplies are derived solely from recycling of residual waste from oil refining and burning. Alternatively, these residual wastes would be land filled, often as hazardous wastes. Environmental benefits accrued through this process include:
  • Applying vanadium microalloyed steels in long span structures results in reduced steel consumption while enabling greater spanning capability.
  • Stop/reduce land filling of inadequately treated catalyst and encourage materials reuse.
  • Reduce energy use and waste generated in mining and smelting.
  • 6,000,000+ pounds of vanadium from recycling per year, equivalent to 1.2 billion pounds of waste to produce same amount of vanadium from virgin ore.

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Inc. (SGH) uses a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluating the benefits of vanadium-alloyed steels. LCA is a quantifiable, "cradle to grave" methodology which is used to evaluate any number of environmental impacts of a material or system.
Technology Transfer:
This project affords the design community rapid expansion of design standards incorporating vanadium microalloyed steels in construction. Through the physical demonstration of truss construction and testing, existing standards can be expanded to include new designs. Once standardized, designers can readily call out this class of materials. The application of long spans is not limited to military structures; civilian structures could also exploit the same benefits. Transferring this technology to the civilian sector will be accomplished through the long standing relationships SGH has with various respected technical and trade societies and specification bodies.
Contact Information:
For more information, contact Ron Mayes, Ph.D, www.sgh.com (415) 495-3700

 

M871A3 Trailer Weight Reduction
Researchers: Swedish Steel AB, Fontaine Trailers,
PEO CS & CSS

Project Background:
The M871A3 Trailer Weight Reduction Team will investigate the application of vanadium microalloyed steel to reduce weight and improve performance of the M871A3 trailer. Based on the findings of the investigation the team will recommend a project plan for development and deployment of vanadium microalloyed steels to achieve these weight savings and performance improvements.
Project Objective:
The objective of the project is to reduce the weight of the M871A3 trailer by 15% through the application of vanadium microalloyed steels. Currently the M871A3 trailer weighs about 17,000 pounds; a 15% weight reduction would eliminate 2,550 pounds of weight. The warfighter can exploit this weight savings based on mission requirements. For example, the weight reduction could enable a greater payload or permit armor protection of the payload.
Research Plan:
  • Case Study Stage (Year 1): Analytically demonstrate that M871A3 weight can be reduced by 15% through the application of Vanadium microalloyed steels without increasing the cost of the trailer.
  • Development Stage (Year 2): Develop preliminary design and prototype (either components of full trailer) to validate weight savings.
  • Test and Evaluation (Year 3): Depending on the availability of resources, testing and evaluation of components and/or trailers will be accomplished.
  • Deployment State (+Year 3): Develop a technical data package to incorporate these weight savings; deploy through an engineering change proposal process; and transfer technology to other trailer systems (e.g. seminars, technical presentations to reach other platforms, original equipment manufactures, and programs).
Environmental Benefits:
The direct substitution of conventional steels with vanadium microalloyed steels will reduce overall steel production associated with trailer manufacturing. Greater benefits may be accrued as vanadium microalloyed steels are applied in other trailers, too. With respect to life cycle environmental benefits, the team predicts that reduced trailer weight will be offset by increased payload, negating any fuel efficiency; however, on the occasions that trailers re pulled empty, fuel savings will be achieved.
Technology Transfer:
Upon completion of the case study the team will be positioned to demonstrate the application of vanadium microalloyed steels in other trailers - light, medium and heavy. Based on the success of this project, PM Trailers possesses other opportunities to alloy vanadium mocroalloyed steels on other platforms. Commercial trailers provide substantial opportunities to exploit vanadium microalloyed steels as well. As part of this project there will be opportunities to provide training seminars to trailer and vehicle designers.
Contact Information:
For More information, Contact: Chuck Kramer, ATI, chuck.kramer@aticorp.org., (843) 760-3493

Vanadium Spiral-Welded Pipe
Researcher: University of Washington
Project Background:
High strength steel increases the stability and economic efficiency of tubular structures. However, a major difficulty in using hollow vanadium microalloy steel tubes (HVST) and concrete filled vanadium microalloy steel tubes (CFVST) is the ability to connect these elements to other parts of the structure. A major effort of this demonstration project is the development and improvement of these structural connections.
Project Objective:
The objective of this project is to produce pipe which is lighter weight and therefore easier to transport, is as strong or stronger than current pipe, and has easy connectivity. HVST and CFVST are promising concepts for achieving improved economy, more rapid construction, reduced environmental pollution, and improved seismic and blast resistance for a wide range of U.S. Army facilities. HVST and CFVST may provide these benefits for fixed facilities as well as field construction needed to support field operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations.
Research Plan:
  • Demonstrate the performance of HVST and CFVST manufactured by the spiral weld process.
  • Develop enhanced design models for rapid design and construction of CFVST structures.
  • Document a broader range of U.S. Army applications for HVST and CFVST and the economy and performance that can be achieved with these elements.
Environmental Benefits:
The Project Team at the University of Washington (UW) has identified a variety of environmental benefits associated with the application of vanadium in microalloyed steel tubes. For example, the use of high strength, microalloyed steel decreases the amount of steel for any given structure which, in turn, reduces the total amount of steel produced. This reduces the amount of emissions associated with steel production. Using the vanadium microalloyed steel tube enables rapid installation and possesses a relatively small "footprint." The tube in itself also replaces concrete forming material such as framed plywood.
Technology Transfer:
Steadily, throughout the project's life the University of Washington will be transferring technology. UW will be sponsoring students and professors to present technical presentations at the Nation's premiere civil engineering events. By partnering with Northwest Pipe, other commercial pipe fabricators might choose vanadium microalloyed steels for their applications. This will be augmented by actual demonstrations that  will occur during the program.
Contact Information:  
For more information, contact Dr. Charles Roeder, Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Washington, croeder@u.washington.edu, (206) 543-6199.



Vanadium Steel Non-Standard Fixed Bridge
Researcher: Department of Civil & Engineering, The University of South Carolina in collaboration with U.S Army Engineer Research &
Development Center
Project Background:
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. Vanadium-alloyed high performance steel (HPS) developed in the 1990's is now used in girders and plates for highway bridges. It is an economical alternative to traditional steels that is easier to weld, exhibits a higher toughness, and is more resistant to the effects of corrosion than conventional steels.
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 adopting the high-performance steels used in highway bridges in the long gap bridges for rapid construction that the U.S. Army maintains.
Research Plan:
  • Phase One identifies a case study where the existing designs of non-standard bridges will be revised to adopt the new high-performance of steel material.
  • Phase Two focuses on the development, investigation and demonstration of alternate designs in order to optimize the use of the new material.
  • During Phase Three, a non-standard military bridge will be constructed and tested based on the optimum design from Phase Two.
Environmental Benefits:
Preliminary findings of using HPS50 to build a 40' military bridge show a 40% reduction in conventional pollutants. Reduction in green house emission, toxic release and energy usage are also indicated. An Economic Input/Output Life Cycle Assessment Method will additionally be applied.
Technology Transfer:
Upon completion of the case study phase, USC and ERDC will be prepared to publish articles and provide presentations. Both organizations have affiliations with both the civil engineering and environmental communities, as well as affiliations with professional organizations.
Contact Information:
For more information, contact Dr. Dimitris C. Rizos, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of South Carolina, rizos@engr.sc.edu, (703) 777-6166 or James Ray at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, james.c.ray@erdc.usace.army.mil, (601) 634-3839.

Vanadium Steel Reinforcement Bar
Researcher: U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Project Background:
The use of high strength concrete combined with high strength vanadium steel reinforcement (Vr) 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 protecting occupants and property while preventing progressive collapse. The Vr research provides opportunities to study and initiate structural component designs for enhanced energy absorption or deflection for blast or seismic applications.
Project Objective:
The project objective is to research high strength concrete and high strength vanadium steel reinforcement bar (Vr) for newly constructed reinforced concrete protective structures. These structures could be integrated into new U.S. Army facilities or civilian applications.
Research Plan:
  • Background research will be conducted on vanadium and standard reinforcing bars, and high-strength reinforced concrete structural elements.
  • Using a selected high strength concrete mix (ex. f 'c 15ksi (103MPA)), limited testing for critical design issues will be performed, and material characterization will be specified.
  • For each of the selected reinforced concrete structural components, i.e. blast resistant exterior wall and column in a column-slab (or girder-column-slab) system, perform a parametric study.
  • Define requirements for Vr constitutive model development for the Demonstration Project.
  • Develop and demonstrate prototype Vr designs for structural components subjected to blast loading; generate design guidelines and verify the constitutive model for computation simulations.
Environmental Benefits:
Use of vanadium microalloyed steel re-bar affords environmental benefits. For example, replacing conventional steel with vanadium alloyed steel will potentially reduce the overall tonnage of steel required for a give project, thereby lowering production emissions, and decreasing shipping costs and transportation emissions. For seismic and blast-resistant reinforced-concrete design, the reduction in steel tonnage can be extremely beneficial because these designs are highly steel intensive, resulting in difficulty maintaining adequate re-bar spacing necessary to insure proper concrete placement.
Technology Transfer:
The U.S. Army is skilled at transferring technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. Acceptance of new materials and designs is relatively slow within the traditionally conservative civil engineering community, and rightly so. Nonetheless, this project plan includes tasks to answer the questions designers have regarding materials and design. Through analytical tools, laboratory experiments and actual blast effects testing, the technical community will have data and confidence for new or retrofit structures. This data can also be included in new design standards and specifications.
Contact Information:
For more information, contact: Dr. Paul Mlakar, Senior Research Scientist, US Army Corps of Engineers, paul.f.mlakar@erdc.usace.army.mil, (601) 634-3251, www.erdc.usacd.army.mil.