Systems and methods for arresting aircraft. In specific embodiments, the systems and methods can be useful in arresting light aircraft because they typically do not have the weight to penetrate available EMAS systems. The system is generally provided as a structure having a suspended layer of energy absorbing material. A lower portion of the system can have a lower strength, used as a method to suspend an upper, stronger/more highly energy absorbent portion of the system.

An arrestor bed for slowing an oncoming aircraft, including an elongated excavation, a plurality of foamed glass aggregate bodies positioned within the elongated excavation, and a covering positioned over the elongated excavation to define an arrestor bed. The respective foamed glass aggregate bodies are oblong, irregularly shaped bodies and have characteristic stacking angles of about 35 degrees. The arrestor bed has a rapid brittle crushing failure mode under compression.

Materials and structures for absorbing energy. The materials and structures are well suited for arresting aircraft and other vehicles, although their purposes need not be so limited. Also detailed are packaging and other solutions for maintaining system integrity, especially (but not exclusively) when foam glass or other aggregate is employed and stabilizing the location of the aggregate is desired.

Spiral metal-bar grate with a center axle that by utilizing ball-bearings on each end of the axle is attached to a metal/concrete/hard plastic and/or rubber framework of a stationary and permanent base that can be embedded in a roadway or affixed to the surface (with a ramp to enter and exit) that allows the metal-bar grate and axle to spin when contacted by the rotating tires of a vehicle passing over the grate; the apparatus's axle continuing through the ball-bearing framework is attached to an electric generator thus providing the necessary motion to turn the axle (utilizing the friction of the vehicle's tires and momentum of the moving vehicle) and generate electricity.

A vehicle arresting system includes a base layer comprising a crushable aggregate and a cover layer comprising a cementitious material having an oven-dry density of 100 lb/ft3 or less. The system also may include an arrestor bed and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor includes a support rod coupled to an associated puck, each support rod being secured to a foundation that supports the arrestor bed, and each puck being embedded in the cover layer slab of the arrestor bed. Additionally, each support rod is coupled to its associated puck via a shear link breakable at a predetermined load. A method for arresting a vehicle includes depositing a base layer on a region where the vehicle is to be arrested, the base layer comprising an aggregate, and depositing a cover layer over the base layer, the cover layer including a cementitious material having an oven-dry density of 100 lb/ft3 or less.

A vehicle arresting system includes a base layer comprising a crushable aggregate and a cover layer comprising a cementitious material having an oven-dry density of 100 lb/ft3 or less. The system also may include an arrestor bed and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor includes a support rod coupled to an associated puck, each support rod being secured to a foundation that supports the arrestor bed, and each puck being embedded in the cover layer slab of the arrestor bed. Additionally, each support rod is coupled to its associated puck via a shear link breakable at a predetermined load. A method for arresting a vehicle includes depositing a base layer on a region where the vehicle is to be arrested, the base layer comprising an aggregate, and depositing a cover layer over the base layer, the cover layer including a cementitious material having an oven-dry density of 100 lb/ft3 or less.

An arrestor bed for slowing an aircraft overrunning a runway, including an elongated excavation and a plurality of irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies at least partially filing the excavation. Each respective irregularly shaped foamed glass body has an aspect ratio between 1:1.6 to 1:1.7 and a diameter of about 1 inch. The irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies intersect to define stacking angles of about 35 degrees. Under compression, the irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies crush and break up before slip failure occurs such that the roadbed has a crushing failure mode.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to composite materials for use as a vehicle arresting system (also referred to as an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS). Specific embodiments may use modified polymeric foams composites. The polymeric foams may include additives, coatings, combinations of both, or other features than render them useful for an EMAS. The polymeric foams may also have one or more modified surfaces that provide a protective crust. For example, the one or more surface may be modified by application of heat in order to help close the polymeric foam cells and/or to create an encapsulative surface. These features can provide enhanced weather resistance, fire resistance, moisture absorption, jet blast resistance, improve their energy absorbing properties, or other desired features.

A vehicle arresting system includes a base layer comprising a crushable aggregate and a cover layer comprising a cementitious material having an oven-dry density of 100 lb/ft3 or less. The system also may include an arrestor bed and a plurality of anchors. Each anchor includes a support rod coupled to an associated puck, each support rod being secured to a foundation that supports the arrestor bed, and each puck being embedded in the cover layer slab of the arrestor bed. Additionally, each support rod is coupled to its associated puck via a shear link breakable at a predetermined load.

A support structure, including an excavation and a plurality of irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies at least partially filing the excavation. Each respective irregularly shaped foamed glass body has an aspect ratio of about 1:1.7 and a diameter of about 1 inch. The irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies intersect to define stacking angles of at least about 35 degrees. Under compression, the irregularly shaped foamed glass bodies crush and break up before slip failure occurs such that the roadbed has a crushing failure mode.