Airfield pavement construction using basalt aggregate

Abstract

75,000 m3 oc concrete were required for the Fast Exit Taxiway and Apron works for development of Wideawake airfield on Ascension Island. Locally available construction materials were used wherever possible because of the remote location. The pavement contractor obtained some 250,000 tonnes of concrete aggregate by quarrying basalt from aa lava flows associated with highly vesicular basalt scoria ejected during Strombolian-type eruptions. The methods used for ground investigation, material assessment and development include the innovative use of geostatistical techniques for resource evaluation.