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Steel Box Earth-Covered Magazine
Tyler Ross, Ph.D., P.E.; A-P-T Research, Inc.; Huntsville, AL, USA
Patrick Medley; ARMAG Corporation; Bardstown, KY, USA
Joseph Haydon; ARMAG Corporation; Bardstown, KY, USA
Keywords: Earth-Covered Magazine, ECM, Steel, Prefab
Abstract
A new pre-fabricated steel box design is currently being reviewed by the Department of Defense
Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) for use as an earth-covered magazine (ECM). The unique
design of this magazine is presented. The design process for the steel headwall and vertical load
transfer system is presented.
This magazine is 13.5’ wide, 9’ tall, and up to 40’ long. The magazine is fabricated off-site,
delivered for installation on a concrete pad, and then covered with soil. This new magazine type
offers the Department of Defense (DoD) a faster, cost-effective method for sourcing new earth-
covered magazines.
Introduction
The ARMAG Corporation, in conjunction with A-P-T Research, Inc., is currently seeking formal
approval for the design of a steel-box earth-covered magazine (ECM) (see Figure 1). The design
has been reviewed by the U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety (USATCES) and
has been recommended for review by the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board
(DDESB) for inclusion in DDESB Technical Paper (TP) 15, “Approved Protective Construction”
with a 3-bar headwall designation (Reference 1). Upon approval, the ARMAG ECM would be
the first steel-box ECM approved for net explosive weight (NEW) quantities greater than 8,800
lb.
Figure 1. ARMAG ECM Conceptual Design
