Radioactivity from former test operations was still a hazard during
the early stages of construction and in order to minimize its effect on
the construction crews, and to reduce the radiation to tolerance limits,
it was decided that areas to be worked would be kept constantly wet down
by an overhead sprinkler system and that material from the outer areas,
more distant from the old tower location, would be hauled in and deposited and rolled on the areas of high radicactivity. This operation is
more completely described in Chapter 6.2 of the Construction volume,
Grading, therefore, was primarily for the purpose of reducing radioactivity at the surface, removing sudden changes in ground surface, and
eliminating water pockets. Plans were drawn establishing finish grade
of the Zero areas in accordance with this construction.
SCOPE OF PAVING OPERATIONS
The amount of paving actually accomplished on the various islands
differed materially from that originally planned.
In general, it was
found that by grading, watering, and rolling, very satisfactory roadways
were made,
With the approval of AEC Contract Administrator, the paving
of roadways on all islands except Eniwetok Island was eliminated, except
the section through the 1-1/2 inch area paving around the Zero towers
which would not support traffic.
paving.
These roadways were made of 3 inch thick
On Eniwetok Island, at the request of military grotéps stationed on
the island, and approved by the AEC, plans were drawn for the paving of
the perimeter road around the island and a portion of the main airstrip.
This work involved the placement of approximately 11,500 yards of road
paving and the paving of an area of approximately 50,000 square yards
on the runway.
In addition to these requirements, which were not contained in
original paving estimates, a requirement was established for helicopter
mats at three photo tower sites and paving and dust palliative treatment adjacent to a large number of scientific stations and military
structures,
It might be noted at this point that the paving on the Eniwetok
Airstrip showed signs of failure at the feathered transition between
paved and unpaved portions. Upon examination and consideration of the
possible causes of failure it was determined that a reduction in the
amount of paving authorized had resulted in the location of the pavement transition in the zone in which the effects from the take-off of
jet aircraft were most destructive, Various proposals to remedy the
condition and strengthen the pavement in the take-off zone were considered.
However, it was found that by scarifying the pavement laid
in this zone and adding Bitumuls to insure an ultimate mix of approximately one gallon per cubic foot of aggregate prior to respreading and
rolling, the effects of jet aircraft take-off on the pavement were substantially eliminated.
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