Engineered Synthetic Replacement for Army Heavy Transport Trailer Wooden Decking and Flooring

SBIR Topic A20-097 affords an opportunity to develop an engineered synthetic material with a robust physical configuration and manufacturing source as a replacement for army heavy transport trailer wooden decking and flooring. METSS will address the objectives of A20-097 in two ways: 1) initially selecting and screening materials based on their ability to withstand deformation, creep and fatigue upon high load, tolerance for typical fuels and lubricants, and resistance to fungus, insects, weathering, and fire; and 2) engineering design, construction, and integration of developed synthetic materials to achieve the targeted physical, mechanical, and performance properties of a military trailer decking and flooring.  METSS will evaluate the engineering design and construction of developed synthetic materials to further improve the flexural modulus and strength of the proposed synthetic trailer decking considering the anticipated load requirements. An engineering design and construction of the synthetic plastics lumber will provide the opportunity to control/mitigate the distribution and magnitude of the non-uniform forces applied at the surface of the decking. METSS proposes the use of structural foam or honeycomb structural beams made from PET to enhance the load-bearing properties of the synthetic materials by replacing part of the board cross section. In addition to providing strength, stability, and durability, the proposed structural design will also enable a significant weight reduction for trailer decking platform.