Polymer concrete composites for enhancement of mobility of troops in desert operations

Polymer concrete composites (PCC) known for their rapid strength gain have been developed using locally available sand and natural and synthetic resins for different military applications in sandy and coastal areas. Employing natural resins (guar gum, tannins and rosin), soluble silicates, modified phenol formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde resins, furan resins and orthophthalate type unsaturated polyester resin systems, chemical stabilization of sand has been achieved recording unconfined compression strength (UCS) of standard laboratory specimens up to 442 kg/cm2 after curing at 50 °C for 24 h. The fast setting and high strength PCC with 2 h curing at 50 °C, 10–15% resin-catalyst system and high exothermic cure have been found to record maximum strength more than 275 kg/cm2. Vehicle mounted and air-borne mechanical spraying systems and grouting techniques have been developed for construction of chemically stabilized temporary (50 m × 30 m) and semi-permanent helipads (50 m× 50m), experimental road (50 m × 4 m) and other civil structures. These experimental structures have been tested in field. The spraying systems, introduced into services and soil stabilization methods have been found to be effective and safe for construction and repair of roads, helipads, runways, joint fillings of airfield pavements, missile launching pads, test beds of army tanks and other military structures to enhance mobility of troops in desert, coastal and high altitude areas during exigencies.