Power of ERDC

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
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Satisfy your curiosity and learn how some of our country’s smartest engineers and scientists are solving many of the toughest challenges facing the nation and the Warfighter. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is comprised of seven research laboratories across four states, and one of its greatest strengths is its ability to combine the expertise from multiple laboratories into powerful, cross-disciplinary projects. Each month, we dive into one of these complex problems across its broad civil works and military mission space and ask ERDC’s world-class researchers about how they are discovering, developing and delivering practical cutting-edge solutions that make the world safer and better.

  1. 1d ago

    Guarding Alaska’s Longest Earthen Dam: ERDC integrates 182 sensors to replace hand measurements

    ERDC’s Art Gelvin and Matt Fort discuss an effort to install 182 sensors at Alaska’s Moose Creek Dam, allowing engineers to continually and remotely monitor dam conditions.

  2. Oct 27

    Weather Where It Matters: Closing Critical Data Gaps

    ERDC and ULM are expanding a regional Mesonet to test how localized weather and soil observations can improve modeling and mission support.

  3. Oct 20

    #81: Shielding from the Blast: Patented ERDC technology enables safe detonation of underwater unexploded ordnance

    Unexploded military ordnance located underwater pose a significant risk to human safety, aquatic life and marine infrastructure. Better methods are needed to help those tasked with their disposal to safely locate and remove these dangerous munitions. In response, ERDC researchers invented a patented blast shield that can enable safe detonation while mitigating harmful blast pressures and containing toxic byproducts. We discuss this innovative apparatus with its inventors – Taylor Rycroft, a research environmental engineer with ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory, and Griffin Donohue, a technical engineer with ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Topics include the challenges presented by underwater UXO (1:25), what initiated this effort (4:19), and the blast shield’s unique design and how it works (8:12). We also discuss how the blast shield improves on existing methodologies (15:18), next steps (20:19), and how the team will test and evaluate this technology using unique ERDC capabilities to simulate underwater explosions (24:53). Read more about the Underwater UXO Blast Shield at https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4548190/erdc-researchers-granted-patent-for-novel-underwater-uxo-blast-shield-invention. Watch a video of this episode at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/81-underwater-uxo-blast-shield_video.

  4. Oct 13

    #80: Ship simulator takes on key role in civil works projects

    Navigating modern waterways demands precision engineering to safeguard our economy, prevent maritime accidents and eliminate millions in unnecessary construction and dredging costs. To meet this challenge, an order from U.S. Army leaders and an updated Engineering Regulation have established the U.S. Army Watercraft and Ship Simulator, located at ERDC’s campus in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as the primary authority for all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) navigation projects. By integrating ERDC’s physics-based hydrodynamic modeling expertise with hands-on evaluations from certified local pilots, this facility significantly reduces project risks and provides measurable cost avoidance long before construction begins. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Keith Martin and Richard Hunt, program leads with the Watercraft and Ship Simulator team, to discuss the simulation facility's capabilities (1:35), the changes brought about by a new mandate from Army leadership (3:45) and the impact the facility and team have had — and continue to have — on critical civil works and maritime projects (7:10). We also discuss the risks — both physical and financial — if design teams decide not to use simulation capabilities (7:53), the differences between ERDC’s ship simulation facility and private-sector facilities (9:12) and the important role experienced boat pilots play in the success of simulation projects (11:13). For more information on the Watercraft and Ship Simulator, the new engineering regulations, success stories and more, visit PowerofERDCPodcast.org/80-Watercraft-And-Ship-Simulator_Resources. You can also watch a video of this podcast at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/80-Watercraft-And-Ship-Simulator_video.

  5. Oct 6

    Dune in the Flume: ERDC team relocates natural structure to laboratory to study dynamics

    ERDC’s Leigh Langley discusses how she and her team were able to transport a dune to the laboratory to learn lessons that will improve the nation’s coastal management practices.

  6. Sep 29

    Defending Communities from Glacial Floods: ERDC seeks to deploy lidar system in rugged Alaskan environment

    Learn how ERDC is deploying advanced lidar technology to monitor Suicide Basin and help USACE design flood mitigation systems to project Juneau, Alaska.

  7. Sep 22

    #77: Technical Exchange: ERDC researcher to study flood mitigation strategies in Japan

    Extreme weather events are not unique to the United States. That is why an ERDC researcher will be traveling to Japan to study with experts there and collaborate on strategies that can reduce flood risk in both nations. Dr. Amanda Tritinger, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, was recently selected for the U.S. Army’s Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP). As principal engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® program, she is a renowned expert on natural and hybrid infrastructure and applying it to reduce risks from flooding, erosion and extreme weather. Tritinger is the first U.S. engineer selected as an ESEP participant in Japan, where she will work alongside Japan’s Ministry of Defense and National Defense Academy to conduct research on the risk assessment of heavy precipitation and typhoon damage in Japan. We talk with Tritinger about the program and how she came to be involved with it (1:31), the research she will be conducting (10:09), how it builds upon her past research efforts (12:46) and how the things she will learn will strengthen future research endeavors (18:41). Additional topics include Japan’s unique flood mitigation challenges (21:30); and how the Army (22:58), USACE and ERDC (24:47) will benefit from this collaboration. For more information, visit PowerofERDCPodcast.org/77-Japan-flood-mitigation_resources. Watch a video of this episode at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/77-Japan-flood-mitigation_video.

  8. Sep 15

    Large-scale additive manufacturing

    Learn how ERDC uses large-scale 3D printing, advanced materials and industry partnerships to build complex components and accelerate physical modeling.

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About

Satisfy your curiosity and learn how some of our country’s smartest engineers and scientists are solving many of the toughest challenges facing the nation and the Warfighter. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is comprised of seven research laboratories across four states, and one of its greatest strengths is its ability to combine the expertise from multiple laboratories into powerful, cross-disciplinary projects. Each month, we dive into one of these complex problems across its broad civil works and military mission space and ask ERDC’s world-class researchers about how they are discovering, developing and delivering practical cutting-edge solutions that make the world safer and better.

Information

  • Creator
    U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This podcast, its associated website and their contents are the copyright of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. All rights are reserved.
  • Show Website
    Power of ERDC