RIB Field Study
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Field Site: Currituck Sound, NC
The field study was performed during the end of May 1996 at the Field Research Facility.
Assembly of Modules
Two 150-ft long RIB System legs, defined as port and starboard, were assembled from 30 RIB System modules that were pre-fitted before shipment. Special launching ramps were used to assemble and launch the legs. The 50 ft long ramps were positioned at a shallow angle relative to the water surface to minimize bending as the legs entered the water. To launch the RIB legs from the beach, they were assembled on their sides and were towed into deeper water. On its side a leg draws approximately 8 inches of water with the special flotation pipe and rigid foam installed in the lower delta triangle.
Flooding of Deployment Pipe (click to enlarge)
The RIB System leg deployment consisted of flooding the deployment pipe located in the lower delta. This caused the leg to rotate approximately 90 degrees to assume the desired vertical floating condition. To ensure that uneven flooding does not cause the 150-ft long structure to twist (e.g. the ends sink before the middle) a special procedure was devised to use an auxiliary flotation system to stabilize the lower delta during the flooding process. When the deployment pipe was fully flooded, a quick release device was actuated releasing the auxiliary floats allowing the RIB leg to rotate evenly into the vertical position.
150 ft RIB leg Two RIB legs Assembled
Amphibious LARC-V moored in the calm waters of the RIB System
Instrumentation to measure wave height and weather conditions along with video recordings are being used to document the effectiveness of the mid-scale model. The data collection and field demonstration will continue until 13 June 1996.