TM 5-852-2/AFR 88-19, Vol. 2
CHAPTER 2
DATA ACQUISITION
2-1. Data required.
flooding are of substantial importance for proper
selection of the site. Information on ice-forming
The information required for a given site varies
characteristics of the stream and on locations of
considerably according to the size and importance
previous ice jams should be obtained. In any
of the proposed installation, its geographical loca-
structure or installation, drainage is an important
tion, and whether the facilities to be provided are in
consideration. The usefulness of existing drainage
an unmapped area or are merely extensions of
courses for the removal of excess storm water and
existing facilities. Important considerations are
wastes should be defined. Where applicable, the
discussed in the following paragraphs.
position of the water table and patterns of subsur-
a. Climate. Data should be obtained on temper-
face flow should be determined (see TM 5-852-
ature, precipitation, humidity, wind direction and
7/AFR 88-19, Vol.7).
e. Geology. Accurate surface and subsurface in-
severe storms. Temperature information should be
formation is of great importance, and in many
obtained so that freezing and thawing indexes can
instances may be the determining factor in the
be computed, so that depths of freeze and thaw can
selection of a site. Well-drained gravels and sands
be estimated and the possibilities of degradation or
are frequently found in coastal plains, river terraces,
aggradation of permafrost can be determined (see
glacial deposits, and outwash plains. Such soils are
TM 5-852-6/AFR 88-19, Vol.6).
generally ideal for almost any type of construction
b. Topography. Accurate topographic informa-
in arctic and subarctic regions since they are
tion is always necessary, including data on surface
generally free of ground ice, and thus thawing is not
features and vegetative cover. Information neces-
a major problem. Any type of construction is arctic
sary for planning drainage, roads, and camp layouts
and subarctic regions will be potentially troublesome
must be obtained. In investigations for potential
if located on frost-susceptible soils, such as clays
airbases, topographic information must be obtained
and silts, unless ground-water conditions are
for the determination of flight hazards, for locating
exceptionally favorable. Where such foundation
runways in positions involving a minimum amount
materials must be built upon, it is usually necessary
of earthwork, for future snow removal operations,
to employ special precautions to maintain structural
and for providing good flight approach angles. For
stability. These precautions are discussed in TM 5-
structures adjacent to bodies of water, information
852-4/AFR 88-19, Vol. 4, TM 5-852-5/AFR 88-19,
on shorelines, harbor lines, high-water marks, and
Vol.5, and TM 5-852-6/AFR 88-19, Vol.6. Soils
wave action is important.
information must be obtained to a degree
c. Access. The availability of existing commercial
commensurate with the importance and size of the
and military ground, water, and air routes for the
proposed structures. The usual tests, such as me-
transportation of personnel and materials, and the
chanical analysis, density, moisture content, and
location of way stations and terminals, as well as
Atterberg limits for various horizons are minimum
prospective sites for such facilities, must be
requirements, and additional tests such as perme-
determined. Information on existing or abandoned
ability, consolidation, shear, and compaction tests
access roads should be obtained. Controlling navi-
are frequently desirable. Knowledge of the extent
gable depths of rivers, lakes, and harbors should be
and nature of the permafrost where ice segregation
determined where water transportation is con-
occurs is vital. The depth and thickness of the
templated. Data on the beginning and end of
permafrost layer, the depth of the annual frost zone,
shipping seasons should be obtained where shipment
and the nature of the soils present in the permafrost
of materials, equipment, and supplies by oceangoing
and in the active layer must be determined.
vessels may be scheduled. Availability of smooth
Information as to whether the permafrost in the
water for the landing of float planes should be
active layer contains massive ground ice and
determined. Data required for the selection of
whether it is homogeneously or heterogeneously
vehicles to be used for overland transportation
frozen must also be obtained. Seismic design of
during winter and summer should be evaluated.
buildings will be determined in accordance with TM
d. Hydrology. Where a structure is to be located
5-809-10/NAVFAC P-355/AFM 88-3, Chap 13.
near a river, information on stream-flow variations
f. Water supply and sanitation. Information
throughout the year and on levels and frequency of
2-1
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