International Concrete Abstracts Portal

The methodology for forming and placing lunar concretes will incorporate our present technology as well as add the innovations that will be developed in the years to come. Initial habitation will combine the use of inflatable forms, precast modules, and self-contained modules that are landed on the lunar surface. The forming and placing systems used for cast-in-place lunar concrete may include temporary stay-forms, preplaced aggregate concrete (which utilizes injection grouting), air-o-form system, and precast concrete. Lightweight fiberglass formties have great potential for lunar construction. A case history and discussion for preplaced aggregate concrete usage is provided for the Peoria Lock Resurfacing Project. The placement size was 1 ft (0.3048 m) wide x 40 ft (12.2 m) long x 10 ft (3.1 m) deep. The maximum size aggregate was 3 in. (7.6 cm) for increased economy. Typically, the angle of repose for the grout was 1:10. Test results for 7-day and 28-day compressive strengths for 2 in. (5 cm) mortar cubes, preplaced aggregate concrete cylinders, and conventional concrete are given. Other items discussed in the article are concretes for a lunar landing support facility, modified shotcreting and curing methods, and a variety of modified inflatable form structures.

Concrete-like materials can be envisioned for applications in the construction of a lunar base in the next century. Although the technology for the manufacture and use of such materials on the moon is not yet available, many people have begun to investigate the possibilities for applications of cements and concretes adapted to the lunar environment. It will be essential that enabling technologies and processes for lunar concrete be developed and proven to have a high degree of reliability. Equipment and operational procedures must then be thoroughly tested under realistic conditions before commitment to lunar base construction. The authors believe that a need exists for a major center of knowledge and education with a simulation facility, where the technologies for lunar and Mars operations can be verified for effectiveness and suitability, to preclude costly surprises and breakdowns in extraterrestrial operations. The authors are planning a Center for Extraterrestrial Engineering and Construction (CETEC), which will serve such a purpose. The CETEC group encompasses many people from across the nation representing national laboratories, universities, constructors, aerospace firms, research and development companies, government, and small business. CETEC will give developers of lunar concrete access to necessary expertise and test facilities to achieve the goals of the space exploration initiative. At CETEC, simulated materials of the moon and Mars will be available in vacuumin appropriate hot and cold dusty environments, so that concepts and prototype equipment for cement and concrete production and use can be verified on a large enough scale to satisfy skeptics and advance all uses of in situ lunar materials for the benefit of humankind.

An important aspect of lunar concrete production will be the production of lime (CaO) from lunar rocks. Chemical and thermodynamic data show that lime could most easily be distracted from abundant lunar anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) the major mineral in the anorthositic lunar highlands. If fluorine gas, produced on site by electrolysis of molten NaF, is used as the extracting agent, oxygen, silicon, and aluminum can be recovered at the same time. Of these, oxygen is likely to be the most valuable product. Lime is recovered from fluorite, CaF2, by reaction with soda, Na2O; the resulting NaF is recycled into fluorine production immediately before use. No fluorine gas is transported or stored in this process; it is used up as soon as it is made.

Conventional structural engineering philosophy and experience can be inappropriate when it comes to designing structures for the moon. This paper illustrates the authors' adaptation of design philosophy for concrete, which involves changing the whole value system for this material. Far from being readily available, common, and plentiful, concrete will be an exotic and precious material on the moon. The use of concrete is proposed for such efficient structures as thin shell rather than the more common planar structures more suitable for earth. The structure containing one atmospheric pressure inside must be pressurized to resist such pressure, and a new value system must be derived.

The moon offers a stable platform with excellent visual conditions for astronomical observations. Some troublesome aspects of the lunar environment must be overcome to realize the full potential of the moon as an observatory site. Mitigation of negative effects of vacuum, thermal radiation, dust, and micrometeorite impact is feasible with careful engineering and operational planning. Shields against impact, dust, and solar radiation must be developed. Means of restoring degraded surfaces are probably essential for optical and thermal control surfaces deployed on long-lifetime lunar facilities. Precursor missions should be planned to validate and enhance the understanding of the lunar environment (e.g., dust behavior with and without human presence) and to determine environmental effects on surfaces and components. Precursor missions should generate data useful in establishing keepout zones around observatory facilities where rocket launches and landings, mining, and vehicular traffic could be detrimental to observatory operation. If lunar concrete becomes available, it could be a material of choice for observatory foundation construction. For concrete to be a viable choice, its production and use must be compatible with the observatories' needs for clean, precision optics, and for an environment free of dust, shock, vibration, and outgassing. It must also be economically competitive with alternative construction techniques.