Table Of ContentARMY TM 5-830-3
AIR FORCE AFM 88-17, CHAP. 3
TECHNICAL MANUAL
DUST CONTROL FOR ROADS, AIRFIELDS,
AND ADJACENT AREAS
DEPARTM ENTS O F THE ARM Y AND THE AI R FO RCE
30 SEPTEMBER 1987
REPRODUCTION AUTHORIZATION/RESTRICTIONS
This manual has been prepared by or for the Government and is public property and not subject to
copyright.
Reprints or republications of this manual should include a credit substantially as follows: "Joint
Departments of the Army and Air Force USA, Technical Manual TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chapter 3,
Dust Control for Roads, Airfields, and Adjacent Areas, 30 September 1987."
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
TECHNICAL MANUAL HEADQUARTERS
No. 5-830-3 DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY
AIR FORCE MANUAL AND THE AIR FORCE
AFM 88-17, CHAPTER 3 WASHINGTON, DC, 30 SEPTEMBER 1987
DUST CONTROL FOR ROADS, AIRFIELDS,
AND ADJACENT AREAS
Paragraph Page
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
Purpose....................................................................................................... 1-1 1-1
Scope.......................................................................................................... 1-2 1-1
Definition and cause.................................................................................... 1-3 1-1
Factors influencing dust.............................................................................. 1-4 1-2
Environmental factors................................................................................. 1-5 1-2
Chapter 2. FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION
General....................................................................................................... 2-1 2-1
Intensity of area use.................................................................................... 2-2 2-1
Topography................................................................................................. 2-3 2-2
Soil type....................................................................................................... 2-4 2-2
Soil surface feature..................................................................................... 2-5 2-2
Climate........................................................................................................ 2-6 2-3
Chapter 3. DUST CONTROL METHODS
General....................................................................................................... 3-1 3-1
Agronomic method...................................................................................... 3-2 3-1
Surface penetration method........................................................................ 3-3 3-2
Admix method............................................................................................. 3-4 3-5
Surface blanket method.............................................................................. 3-5 3-7
Chapter 4. DUST PALLIATIVES
General....................................................................................................... 4-1 4-1
Selection..................................................................................................... 4-2 4-1
Application rates.......................................................................................... 4-3 4-2
Placement................................................................................................... 4-4 4-3
Dilution........................................................................................................ 4-5 4-3
Prewet......................................................................................................... 4-6 4-4
Cure............................................................................................................ 4-7 4-8
Chapter 5. ECONOMICS
General....................................................................................................... 5-1 5-1
Economic factors........................................................................................ 5-2 5-1
Final selection............................................................................................. 5-3 5-3
Appendix A. REFERENCES............................................................................................ A-1
Appendix B. CONTROL OF WINDBORNE SAND.......................................................... B-1
Bibliography .................................................................................................................... Biblio-1
*This manual supersedes TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3.30 September 1974.
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TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1-1. Three examples of typical dust clouds............................................................................. 1-3
3-1. Special distributor for the three-step process for applying the
DCA 1295.................................................................................................................. 3-9
3-2. Rolling frame for placing polypropylene fabric over the first coat of
asphalt emulsion........................................................................................................ 3-9
3-3. Polypropylene membrane layout for tangential sections.................................................. 3-10
3-4. Polypropylene membrane layout for curved sections....................................................... 3-10
5-1. Typical pump modifications for conventional asphalt distributor...................................... 5-2
B-1. Types of fixed sand dunes............................................................................................... B-2
B-2. Types of moving sand dunes........................................................................................... B-3
B-3. Cross section of dune showing initial and subsequent fences......................................... B-4
B-4. Three fences installed to control dune formation............................................................. B-4
B-5. Three types of solid fencing or paneling for control of
dune formation........................................................................................................... B-5
B-6. Schematic of dune destruction or stabilization by selective
treatment.................................................................................................................... B-6
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
4-1. Dust Palliative Numbers for Dust Control in Nontraffic Area............................................ 4-2
4-2. Dust Palliative Numbers for Dust Control in Occasional
Traffic Area................................................................................................................ 4-3
4-3. Dust Palliative Numbers for Dust Control in Traffic Area................................................. 4-4
4-4. Dust Palliative Electives................................................................................................... 4-5
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TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1-1. Purpose 1-3. Definition and cause
This manual provides guidance for dust control methods The term "dust" can be defined simply as particles of soil
and materials that can be used successfully at airfields that have become airborne. As a general rule, dust
and heliports to stop dust from forming naturally or as a consists mainly of soil particles finer than 0.074
result of man’s activities and to control dust in areas millimeter (i.e., passing the No. 200 sieve as described in
directly impacted by man’s activities. Dust develops ASTM E 11). Dust is produced whenever the outside
naturally in denuded or sparsely vegetated areas and in force(s) acting on a soil particle exceeds the force(s)
most unpaved, sparsely vegetated areas occupied by holding it in place. Dust may occur naturally from the
man. (Man’s activities may be detrimental to existing force of wind although the production of dust is
vegetation and create a dust problem.) Dust is created in accelerated in areas of soil experiencing actual physical
unsurfaced areas subjected to concentrated foot or abrasion caused by the environment or man’s activities.
vehicular traffic, and is usually a problem on shoulders of Other terms unique to this manual are listed and defined
surfaced airport and heliport traffic areas. Dust control as follows:
becomes desirable when man needs to occupy land a. Traffic Area. Areas that receive regular
areas adjacent to the dust producing areas or is required channelized traffic by vehicles, aircraft, or personnel.
to conceal military activities. The control of dust is also Typical areas include: roadways and vehicle parking
an important factor to consider for lengthening the life of areas; walkways; open storage areas; construction sites;
vehicles and their engines. runways, taxiways, shoulders, overruns, and parking
areas of airfields; runways, taxiways, taxi- hover lanes,
1-2. Scope and landing and parking pads of heliports.
b. Non Traffic Area. Areas that are not subjected
This manual discusses dust control methods and to traffic of any kind. Typical areas include: graded
materials that have proven effective for treating soil construction areas prior to turfing; partially graded
surfaces to reduce dust; provides suggestions for rates construction areas that will remain dormant for an
and methods of application of materials for various soil extended period of time; areas bordering all airfield or
types and environmental conditions; and discusses heliport complex; protective POL dikes; magazine
factors, such as availability, curing time, durability, embankments or ammunition storage barricades;
logistics, and economics, that may be significant in the bunkers and revetments; cantonment, warehouse,
ultimate choice of material. Army and Air Force storage, and housing areas, excluding walkways and
Regulations that implement the requirements for roadways; unimproved grounds; and shifting dunes.
environmental quality are found in appendix A, and c. Occasional Traffic Area. Areas that receive
economic solutions for dust control of very large areas random traffic by vehicles, aircraft, or personnel. Typical
with little or no vegetation and no direct impact from man areas include: shoulders and overruns of airfields used
are presented in appendix B.
1-1
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
by propeller or jet air-craft, and shoulders, hover lanes, soil moisture content, soil density, presence of salts or
and peripheral areas of heliports and helipads. organic matter in the soil, smoothness of the ground
d. Dust Palliative. A material applied to a soil surface, vegetative cover, wind velocity and direction,
surface to prevent soil particles from becoming airborne. and humidity. Depending on these factors an external
The user should note that many of the references listed force imposed on a ground surface will generate
use the following additional terms to indicate a dust volumes of dust of varying density, size, and height
control material: palliative, dustproofer, spray or soil above ground which are referred to as dust clouds.
stabilizer, soil waterproofer, dust control agent, and dust Figure 1-1 shows three typical dust clouds. Dust clouds
layer. may be generated by drafts of moving air from
e. Prewet. A light initial sprinkling of water on a windstorms, aircraft engines, or ground vehicles which
soil surface prior to applying a liquid surface penetrant not only produce drafts of moving air but also abrade the
f. Pertinent Areas. Soil areas that require a soil surface.
specific dust palliative.
1-5. Environmental factors
1-4. Factors influencing dust The selection and use of adjust control method and a
The presence of dust-size particles in a soil does not dust palliative should consider applicable safety, health,
necessarily indicate a dust problem or severity of the and environmental requirements. Material compliance
dust problem that will result in various situations. Some with existing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
of the factors that contribute to the formation, severity, rules and regulations should be required for all
and endurance of dust include soil texture and structure, peacetime applications.
1-2
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
Figure 1-1. Three examples of typical dust clouds.
1-3
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
CHAPTER 2
FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION
2-1. General areas, excluding walkways and roadways.
A wide selection of dust palliatives for dust control is -Unimproved grounds.
available to the engineer; however, no one material can -Areas experiencing windborne sand (see app B).
be singled out as being the most acceptable for all b. Occasional traffic areas. Besides resisting
situations. The successful control of dust and erosion in helicopter rotor downwash, aircraft propwash, and
an area depend on several factors, the most important of airblast from jet engines, these areas also are subjected
which are: to occasional traffic by vehicles, aircraft, or personnel.
-Intensity of area use. Treatment for jet airblast is more involved than that
-Topography. required for CH-47 helicopter downwash and C-130
-Soil type. aircraft propwash; however, treatment for either will be
-Soil surface feature(s). adequate to support occasional, non-channelized,
-Climate. vehicular traffic. If traffic conditions change and multiple
passes or repeated crossings along the same path
2-2. Intensity of area use occur, the treated area may be damaged and repairs
(expected traffic) required. Typical occasional traffic areas include:
The areas requiring treatment should be divided -Shoulders and overruns of airfields.
according to the. amount of traffic expected: those with -Shoulders, hover lanes, and peripheral areas of
no traffic, with occasional traffic, and with channelized heliports and helipads.
traffic (i.e., roadway or taxiway). Where the extent of -Areas mentioned in 2-2a where occasional traffic
traffic can be predicted or regulated, significant savings becomes necessary.
in time andmaterial(s) may be realized by adjusting the c. Traffic areas. These areas require treatment
type and amount of treatment an area receives to withstand regular channelized traffic by vehicles,
according to use. aircraft, or personnel. Areas properly treated to
a. Nontraffic areas. These areas require withstand regular channelized traffic should easily
treatment to withstand the effects of airblast due to wind withstand airblasts from aircraft and helicraft. Typical
or nearby aircraft operations and are not subjected to traffic areas include:
actual traffic of any kind. If traffic is applied, the treated -Roadways and vehicle parking areas.
area may be damaged and repairs required. Typical -Walkways.
nontraffic areas include: -Open storage areas.
-Graded construction areas.’ -Construction sites.
-Denuded areas around the periphery of completed --Runways, taxiways, shoulders.
construction projects.
-Areas .bordering airfield or heliport complexes. *The method(s) and dust palliatives recommended
-Protective petroleum, oil and lubricant (PQL) dikes. for occasional traffic (table 4-2) are known to be effective
-Magazine embankments of ammunition storage for ground surface airblast and temperature of 80 mph
barricades. and 120°F respectively.
-Bunkers and revetments.
-Cantonment, warehouse, storage, and housing
2-1
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
overruns, and parking areas of airfields. b. Silts or clays (low liquid limit). The moderately
-Runways, taxiways, taxi-hover lanes, and landing permeable, low to medium plasticity, fine-grained soils
and parking pads of heliports. encompass USCS types ML, CL ML-CL, and OL.
-Tank trails. c. Sands or gravels (with fines). The moderately
Economic analysis of the cost to maintain an unsurfaced permeable, coarse-grained soils contain an appreciable
road versus the costs associated with a paved surface amount of fines encompassing USCS types SM, SC,
road indicates the break-even point occurs at a traffic SM-SC, GM, GC, GM-GC, and GW-GM. CL Sands (with
level of approximately 100 vehicles per day. A durable little or no fines). The highly permeable sands or gravelly
riding surface such as an asphalt mixture or portland sands contain little or no fines encompassing USCS
cement concrete should be considered when unpaved types SW-SM, SP, and SW.
roads are trafficked by 100 or more vehicles per day. e. Gravels (with little or no fines). The highly
Where these areas are considered permanent, they permeable gravels or sandy gravels contain little or no
should be treated as specified in existing Army and Air fines encompassing USCS types GP and GW.
Force publications.
2-5. Soil surface feature
2-3. Topography Soil surface features refer to both the state of
a. Distinction between flat and hillside areas. The compaction and degree of saturation of the soil in the
overall topography of the area should be considered as area being considered.
either flat or hillside. Flat is defined as an average a. Loose and dry or slightly damp. The surface
ground surface slope of 5 percent or less while hillside consists of a blanket, 1/4 to 2 inches thick, of unbound or
refers to an average ground surface slope steeper than 6 uncompacted soil overlying a relatively firm subgrade
percent. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the entire and ranging in moisture content from dry to slightly
topography of the area to be treated must be considered damp.
and not specific spot localities. Spot areas can be given b. Loose and wet or slurry. A surface condition
special attention as needed. consists of a blanket, 1/4 to 2 inches thick, of unbound or
b. Dust control for flat and hillside areas. Dust uncompacted soil overlying a soft to firm subgrade and
control depends on the type of traffic expected, etc.; ranging in moisture content from wet to slurry
however, the final dust palliative selected may be consistency. Soil in this state cannot be treated until it is
affected by the slope. For example, liquid dust control dried to the condition defined in either paragraph above
materials may tend to flow instead of penetrate or form a or below.
protective cover over the dusty area. c. Firm and dry or slightly damp. The surface
condition consists of less than 1/4-inch-thick layer of
2-4. Soil type loose soil ranging in moisture content from dry to slightly
The soil type is one of the key features used to damp overlying a bound or compacted firm soil
determine which method and material should be used for subgrade.
dust control. Soils to be treated for dust control have d. Firm and wet. This surface condition is similar
been placed into five general descriptive groupings to that defined in paragraph c but has a wet surface. Soil
based On the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), in this condition cannot be treated until it is dried to the
MIL-STD-619B. condition defined.
e. Treatment ability. The soil surface feature
a. Silts or clays (high liquid limit). The relatively described in paragraph a is acceptable for treatment for
impervious, plastic, fine-grained soils encompass USCS dust control where no traffic or only occasional traffic is
types CH, OH, and MH. expected. The soil surface feature described in
paragraph c is acceptable for treatment for dust control
2-2
TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chap. 3
regardless of the expected traffic. The soil surface b. Weather extremes accelerate the aging and/or
features described in paragraph b and d cannot be deterioration of most materials and dust palliatives are
treated and do not need treatment for dust control in the no exception. Many of the liquid dust palliatives must be
stated condition. Normal earth moving methods can be stored, placed, and permitted to cure at temperatures
employed in most situations to upgrade dust producing above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Agronomic methods
areas to the condition described in paragraph c. should be initiated at the onset of the growing season
which may be limited to a few weeks. Some dust
2-6. Climate palliatives become brittle when exposed to extreme cold
a. The climate in the area where dust control is and should not be trafficked during these periods, while
desired could adversely affect the dust palliative(s) others leach from the soil during rain storms. At
during storage (prior to placement), during placement temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit many
(the construction and/or cure period), and after bituminous products become tacky. Salts become
placement. The climate at the time of placement and ineffective during extended periods of no rainfall
after placement should be considered by the designer whenever the humidity falls below approximately 30
before adjust palliative is selected. percent.
2-3
Description:Departments of the Army and Air Force USA, Technical Manual TM 5-830-3/AFM 88-17, Chapter 3,. Dust Control for Roads, Airfields, and Adjacent
