Operational Reliability of Aerodrome Pavements

Abstract

The requirements for efficiency and safety of air transport are constantly increasing, in proportion to the increase in the number of passengers and goods. Ensuring all requirements requires sufficient and functional airfield infrastructure with a capacity runway system and movement areas to ensure reliable ground movement of an aircraft. The movement areas of an aerodrome change qualitatively during their lifetime, mainly affected by traffic load and climate conditions. To ensure the safety of an aircraft movements, the reliability of airfield pavements should be reviewed, which is most affected by the pavement surface condition. The paper presents the results of the evaluation of the surface condition and operational reliability of airfield pavements, which were obtained long-term experimental measurements. The results of visual surveys and assessment of pavement distresses are defined by the pavement condition index and the pavement development prognosis, which declares the ability of the airfield construction to meet safe air traffic requirements.