The Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex (MUTC) Subterranean Trainer, originally conceived as a precast pipe tunnel system, is an underground Tilt-Up structure consisting of a maze of 1,111 lineal feet of tunnel.
To achieve the earthen look and feel the U.S. Army was after, AML Inc. proposed using Tilt-Up. The panels were cast with a natural looking earthen surface, utilizing the actual earth itself as a casting bed. As a result, when placed, the finished surface was already done.
The floor made of earthen backfill was placed before the roof panels were installed; none of this would have been possible using precast pipe. Additionally, the headroom is consistent from wall to wall, though that varies in height depending on the section of the tunnel system you are in.
With cross section areas of 6'-0" x 6'-0", 4'-6" x 4'-6" and 3'-0" x 3'-0" the structure can easily be considered either a natural cave or a hand dug tunnel system for training purposes. In addition to the tunnel system, the structure includes two command rooms, 8'-0" x 15'-0" and 10'-0" x 17'-0".
There are two main entrances and four access hatches as well as lighting and a ventilation system.
The structure is back-filled and covered 2' to 4' below the finished grade.