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Existing United States Air Force petroleum product storage methods are either susceptible to conventional weapons effects or very expensive to construct. A safer, more economical method of storage is desirable. This report describes a study to determine the feasibility of creating underground cavities in clay type soils for storage of USAF petroleum products. Current underground cavity formation techniques were reviewed and evaluated. Research was conducted on experimental techniques, including chemical deaggregant and hydraulic methods, for creation of underground cavities. Cavity configuration, storage cavity innerliners, and cavity wall sealants were evaluated. Results of this study indicate a hydraulic technique is adaptable to expeditiously creating, in clay soils, storage cavities which meet the needs of the United State Air Force. Petroleum products would be stored within an innerliner placed inside the underground cavity. It is recommended that operational tests, including actual construction of three cavities, be initiated.

DOT-FH-11-8799, The potential shortage of asphalt cement and oversupply of sulfur make it advantageous to reduce to dependence of the paving industry upon asphalt cement while utilizing readily available sulfur. This report presents the results of an investigation of the use of elemental sulfur as a partial replacement and/or extender of asphalt cement in highway paving mixtures. Physical properties of numerous combinations of sulfur-asphalt emulsions were determined. Various aggregates, asphalt cements, and sulfur were tested in a series of laboratory screening tests utilizing nine independent design variables. Characterization tests were performed on selected combinations of aggregate, asphalt and sulfur utilizing three different mixing methods. The resulting relationships between response characteristics, mixture compositions, and design variables were programmed into the Texas FPS-BISTRO and VESYS IIM design programs. Texas FPS-BISTRO screened a number of design combinations to find the optimum combinations. VESYS IIM was used to evaluate performance of selected optimum pavements. The studies indicate that the addition of sulfur to asphaltic concrete can produce pavements which are more economical with performance characteristics equal or superior to conventional asphaltic concrete pavements.