Concrete Airfield Pavements Research Articles

Assessment of atmospheric corrosivity based on exposure of concrete airfield pavement samples

Many research areas focus on atmospheric corrosion based on the exposure of material samples, monitoring them periodically, and determining their size at fixed time intervals. The article presents an innovative approach to the atmospheric corrosion affecting the pavement, specifically the cement concrete samples. Tests in natural conditions involve the corrosion resistance assessment of specially prepared samples of the tested material in natural atmospheric conditions at a given airport facility. The manuscript proposes an atmospheric corrosion assessment method.

Analysis of reflective cracking in asphalt overlaid jointed concrete airfield pavements using a 3D generalized finite element approach

ABSTRACT Asphalt Concrete (AC) overlays are a common strategy for maintaining PCC airfield pavements. However, the movement of joints in the underlying pavement may lead to reflective cracks propagating to the overlay. The problem is highly three-dimensional resulting in mixed mode of cracks due to the aircraft gear loading configurations and underlying concrete pavement joint spacing and design. The development of a 3D model of airfield pavements to predict reflective cracking using Finite Element Method (FEM) and Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM), is presented in this study. GFEM enrichment strategy and global-local approach are used to achieve efficient framework for developing the models from both computational and user time perspective. Viscoelastic fracture analysis was performed using elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle. Sensitivity of the domain size, order of approximation and boundary conditions are investigated in the numerical simulations. It is shown that the crack initiation and propagation is a combination of Mode-I (tensile) and Mode-II (shearing) crack opening. The presented models contributes to the mechanistic empirical reflective cracking design algorithm for the FAA pavement design program.

Research on the propagation mechanisms and meso-mechanical responses of reflective cracking on the asphalt overlays on concrete airfield pavement by Fiber Bragg Grating sensing technology

This study evaluated the propagation mechanisms and dynamic meso-mechanical responses of reflective cracking on the asphalt overlays on concrete airfield pavement based on flexible Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. The encapsulated FBG sensors were efficiently calibrated, possessing outstanding capability for the measurement of transverse expansion of lateral reflective cracking propagation. Virtual three-point bending test model was proposed and validated by macroscopic indoor experiments. The DEM model facilitated quantifying the proliferation of reflective cracks, unraveling the trajectory from micro-crack inception to visible macroscopic manifestation. Results indicated that the emergence and elongation of the composite structure experienced three phases: the initiation and accumulation of microcracks, the extension of reflective cracking, and the ultimate penetration. The DEM simulation and FBG sensors were recommended to establish a mutually reinforcing mechanism for nuanced validation of reflective crack formation on the composite structures of asphalt overlays on concrete airfield pavement.

Effect of hydrophobization of airfield coatings on the consumption of deicing reagents2

The issue of reducing costs for the maintenance of airfield coatings is particularly important nowadays due to the increase in the intensity of domestic air transportation. A significant part of the costs of the operational maintenance of airfields is spent on the purchase of deicing reagents (DIR) used to protect airfield pavements from icing. There is a possibility to reduce the required amount DIR by using of hydrophobizing impregnations (HPI) for cement concrete airfield pavements. The assumption about possibility to reduce costs for DIR by using HPI was proven by laboratory tests on specimens of cement concrete slabs. In the course of laboratory tests the process of airfield pavement icing and de-icing was modeled. According to the results of experimental studies it was determined that the consumption of DIR for cement concrete slabs specimens treated with HPI was reduced by 35% compared to similar specimens without HPI treatment. For the economic evaluation of cost reduction for the purchase of DIRs, the costs of applied DIRs used at civil airfields of the Russian Federation were analyzed, taking into account their location in different climatic zones. The assessment has revealed that the cost savings for the purchase of DIRs can be up to 29.1 %.

Airfield concrete pavement joint detection network based on dual-modal feature fusion

To solve the problem of inaccurate positioning of airfield pavement concrete joint and misalignment quantification, this study proposes an airfield concrete pavement joint detection network based on dual-modal feature fusion (ACJD-DFF) and a misalignment quantification method. First, outlier cleaning and row-level distortion correction are proposed to improve the quality of 3D data. Subsequently, data from two modalities are fused to create a dual-modal feature fusion matrix dataset. An ACJD-DFF is proposed to accomplish the positioning of the concrete joint by integrating positioning coordinate optimization. Finally, by mapping the accurate joint positioning coordinate by ACJD-DFF, the misalignment quantification of the concrete joint is constructed. The results show that the ACJD-DFF performs better than the state-of-the-art methods. The mAP@0.5 and Recall reached 96.38%, 91.4%. The average error of misalignment quantification is 4.333%. These methods have been applied in routine airfield pavement monitoring and are important for later detection of concrete joint distress.

The impact of operating fluids used to service aircraft on the durability of airfield concrete pavements

The manuscript intends to demonstrate the impact of aircraft operating fluids on the parameters of airfield hardened concrete. In the studies conducted over the longer term than provided for in the applicable standards, the impact of these operating fluids on the durability of C 30/37 concrete composed with the use of basalt and granite aggregate was determined. The tests showed that the discussed operating fluids have a destructive effect on airfield runway concrete to a varying degree. The currently applied agents that protect runway pavement against its deterioration fulfil their function only in a limited scope.

Impact resistance of concrete pavement surface reinforced with fibre mesh

ABSTRACT The surface layer of military airfield pavements is prone to damage, including cracking, abrasion, and spalling. It is proposed to strengthen the pavement mortar layer by laying fiber mesh to solve these issues. In this study, three meshes of carbon fiber, aramid fiber, and basalt fiber were selected for surface reinforcement across six pavement slabs of 1.5m (length) × 1.5m (width) × 0.25m (height). The drop hammer impact test was carried out on the six pavement slabs. The test data were analyzed using impact times, crack development characteristics, and development models on the surface deflection as evaluation indices. The results show that the fiber mesh can effectively improve the impact resistance of concrete pavement slabs. Aramid fiber mesh best strengthened the pavement surface, whereas the basalt fiber mesh had the least strengthening effect. However, the mesh size has a negligible influence on the impact resistance of concrete pavement slabs. The effect of fiber mesh on improving the impact resistance of the concrete pavement slab corner was greater than that of the concrete pavement slab edge midpoint. Considering the performance and cost indicators, within the scope of the study, aramid fiber mesh is the most suitable for surface strengthening of airfield concrete pavement.

Thermal resistance of concrete airfield pavements

Abstract Concrete airfield pavements can frequently suffer from initially small and relatively shallow delamination of the subsurface concrete layer. It may be due to natural and forced temperature impact on the pavement. As a result of these impacts, thermal stresses and other phenomena are formed in the concrete slab. The significant phenomena are those related to the movement of water vapour in the slab cross-section and the associated processes leading to defects of the concrete structure. They are due to the complex interaction of various phenomena: thermal, humidity and strength that were considered damage stimulants.

Neural networks in diagnostics of concrete airfield pavements

W dziedzinie utrzymania betonowych nawierzchni lotniskowych występuje wiele złożonych problemów trudnych do identyfikacji tradycyjnymi metodami diagnostycznymi. Do ich zrozumienia i rozwiązania mogą okazać się przydatne sztuczne sieci neuronowe. W pracy przedstawiono istotę sieci, jak również zakreślono obszary możliwych ich zastosowań do analizy zjawisk zachodzących w warstwie jezdnej nawierzchni lotniskowej i jej podbudowie na etapie użytkowania. Przedstawiono koncepcję zastosowania tego narzędzia w prognozowaniu napraw, ustaleniu przyczyn zaistniałych zjawisk oraz prognozy diagnostycznej związanej z dalszym procesem utrzymania i użytkowania. Celem pracy była aplikacja metody SSN do modelowania procesów utrzymaniowych, w tym przewidywania równości nawierzchni. Opracowano model neuronowy przeznaczony do oceny równości nawierzchni na podstawie danych uzyskanych z rzeczywistych odcinków nawierzchni. Przedstawiono metodykę badawczą i uzyskane wyniki terenowe. Zaprojektowano strukturę sieci i zweryfikowano uzyskany model neuronowy. Sformułowano wniosek dotyczący przydatności modelowania neuronowego do prognozowania równości nawierzchni. Zaproponowana metodyka może stanowić uzupełnienie w stosowanej diagnostyce nawierzchni.

Structural Performance Assessment of Airfield Concrete Pavements Based on Field and Laboratory Data

Maintenance interventions and rehabilitation actions in airfield pavements are time-consuming and adversely affect pavements’ serviceability (i.e., airport closures), with a profound impact on the airport economics. Once a pavement is constructed, a robust asset management prerequisites systematic and accurate knowledge of pavement condition throughout its service life. Evaluating a pavement’s structural capacity in the field involves the integration of multiple Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) systems, with the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) being the most indicative NDT system for pavement evaluation. The purpose of the present study is to develop a methodology for the assessment of airfield concrete pavements. A new and non-trafficked Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP), facing early-life cracks shortly after a runway’s expansion activities, was utilized for the investigation. Multiple types of data collected in the field, including deflections, load transfer efficiency at joints and cracks, concrete thickness through coring as well as data retrieved in the laboratory (concrete’s flexural strength), helped to define the pavement’s performance and assess its damage potential. Overall, the integration of such data can provide the related airport authorities the necessary information in order to make a rational asset management and enhance the efficiency of airfield infrastructures. The methodology is applicable for both new and in-service pavements.

Fatigue Models for Airfield Concrete Pavement: Literature Review and Discussion.

The fatigue model plays an important role in the mechanistic–empirical design procedure of airfield pavement. As for cement concrete pavement, the fatigue model represents the relationship between the stress and the number of load repetitions. To further understand the fatigue model, a literature review was performed in this paper along with the discussion. In this paper, the developed fatigue models available now were classified as the full-scale testing-based fatigue model and the concrete beam testing-based fatigue model, according to the data source. Then, the regression analysis process and stress calculation method of each fatigue model were summarized. Besides, the fatigue model proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was compared with the fatigue model of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The design thicknesses using the two models were obtained based on the finite element analysis. The results show that the designed slab using the fatigue model of FAA is thicker than that of CAAC, meaning that the fatigue model of FAA is comparatively conservative. Moreover, it can be concluded that the differences in the slab thickness become more significant with the increase in the wheel load and the foundation strength. Finally, the recommendation was proposed to refine the fatigue model in the future study from three aspects: data source, stress calculation method, and regression analysis process.

Technical diagnostics and reliability development of concrete airfield pavements in modernization and reconstruction progress

Abstract: The technical reliability of concrete airport pavements evolves mainly when the project and its technical and functional solutions in all types of industry works is being developed. In the operation process, the technical reliability of the pavement can be shaped as a result of its' modernization and reconstruction. The effect depends primarily on the quality of the works. Currently, the contractors have high-quality materials and specialized equipment minimising human factor in the process of preparing and placing the concrete mix. Potentially high qualifications of technical personnel and other members of the works crew should be a guarantee of high quality works. The operation process must be characterized by a high level of technical culture and rational maintenance procedures. The publication presents the theoretical model of modernized and reconstructed airport's reliability, paying particular attention to the accuracy and efficiency of its technological implementation. Keywords: Pavement reliability; Quality of pavement works; Operational condition; AFE (airport functional elements)

Atmospheric corrosivity assessment on the basis of standard specimens’ corrosion rates within the military air bases

Abstract: Atmospheric corrosion is one of the parameters characterizing the technical condition of the functional elements of airport pavements - it allows to determine the degree of pavement degradation, estimate the appropriate frequency of periodic inspections and take appropriate measures to keep airfield pavements in permanent technical availability. In order to determine the corrosion resistance of the cement and asphalt concrete airfield pavement, atmospheric corrosivity tests determined on the basis of standard specimens exposure and determination of corrosion rates, form and appearance of deteriorations, as well as changes in physical properties at regular intervals are carried out. The samples were exposed to atmospheric conditions at military airport facilities. The article presents the rcorr corrosion rate results of low-carbon steel, zinc, copper and aluminum standard specimens obtained from selected airports of the Polish Armed Forces, starting from 2015. Then, the corrosivity categories of the atmosphere were determined on the basis of the performed measurements. Keywords: Atmospheric corrosion; Corrosion rate; Standard specimens; Military air bases

Assessment of the alkali-silica reactivity potential in granitic rocks

The alkali-silica reactivity of granites may significantly affect the durability of road and airfield concrete pavements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reactivity of granites commonly used as an aggregate in concrete pavements, with particular emphasis on microscopic methods. The research was focused on petrographic diagnosis of reactive minerals in granites, their quantitative analysis and comparison of the obtained results with standard measurements. The strained quartz was recognized as a reactive component and the linear relationship between its content and specimens expansion was found.

Full Scale Evaluation of Surface Treatments for Airfield Concrete Pavement Repair

Surface deterioration of concrete pavements requires maintenance. Highway and airfield pavements exhibit many of the same maintenance issues, but airfields have several additional unique issues and requirements. Among these are petroleum contamination on aircraft parking areas and a high potential for failed concrete or maintenance materials to damage aircraft. To address these issues, commercially available surface-applied treatment products were assessed for use on concrete pavements with particular focus on the special requirements of airfields. Fourteen products encompassing numerous chemistries were evaluated in a full-scale field experiment. The specific objectives of this study were to investigate materials for field application issues, adhesion to concrete (for both clean and oil contaminated concrete), the ability to seal cracks, behavior under aircraft traffic loads including surface friction, and durability over time with exposure to environmental conditions. Test strips of each material were applied to deteriorated concrete slabs. Half of the concrete was intentionally contaminated with oil while the other half was left clean. Simulated aircraft traffic was applied and periodic visual observations and surface friction measurements were made. Two years after material application, a final visual assessment was made. Many of the products performed well on clean concrete; however, oil contaminated concrete detrimentally affected many of them. Of the fourteen products evaluated, two of the epoxy based materials clearly emerged as the best performing.

Evaluation of airfield concrete block pavements based on 3-D modelling and plate loading test

Concrete pavements are commonly used in some areas of airfields such as aprons. Repairing these pavements is costly and time-consuming, and it also disrupts flight operations. The use of concrete block pavement is a more suitable option at aprons. Fewer studies have been done on this type of pavement in the airfields than on roads. For further studies, the performance of this pavement was examined by making a 3D model and a test track with dimensions of 2 m × 2 m. This sample was composed of subgrade, subbase, base and Cement-Treated Base (CTB) layers, with 15 cm thickness, for each layer, bedding sand with 3 cm thickness and a Unipave-shape (zig-zag) concrete block pavers with 8 cm thickness and herringbone pattern. Then their quality was controlled, based on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation. At the next step, Plate Load Test (PLT), was conducted on this sample. For this purpose, a setup including a concrete foundation and a reaction beam was built. For the first time in related research, several 3D models of concrete block with all its angles and corners representing their actual dimensions were made using ABAQUS software. The field studies' experiments result on the materials were used to define the characteristics of the model components, and then the force–deflection curve, as a guidance chart was presented. Studies have shown differences in opinion about the amount of elastic modulus of block and jointing sand. The 3D model analysis result showed that the elastic modulus of the concrete block surface could be taken into account at 2000 MPa to achieve the most coordination between finite element analysis and PLT results. Then, the curve of the allowable number of repetitive loads (N) vs. wheel load pressure was illustrated by selecting the horizontal strain and stress at the bottom of CTB as the failure criterion. Moreover, analysis of the allowable number of load repetitions through Miner’s theory indicated that the equations that calculate N, based on the horizontal stress, achieve more consistent results relative to corresponding equations calculated based on the horizontal strain. According to finite element analysis results, by increasing load pressure, the interlocking of Airfield Concrete Block Pavement (ACBP) improved and the rate of decreasing of the allowable number of load repetitions declined.

Reconstruction of the Technical Condition of Concrete Airfield Pavements with the Use of Prefabricated Slab Technology

The rapidly growing civil aviation industry is primarily an increase in the number of air operations, both in passenger and cargo traffic. This leads to an increase in the impact of aircraft on airfield pavement structures and, consequently, to an intensive operation process. Concrete airfield pavements occurring at airports in Poland, but also around the world, cover a wide spectrum, starting from newly built surfaces, used ones as well as those that are subject to renovation. Particular attention should be paid to pavements in the process of operation and pavements which age exceeds the designed useful life and which are already subject to renovation works. Basic types of failures can be identified on concrete airfield pavements including surface failures (e.g. spalling, cracks), local failures (e.g. pop-outs, corner cracks), linear failures (e.g. meander cracks, decrements of the pourable sealing compound in expansion gaps). Currently, where in many cases there is an urgent need to repair damaged pavement, companies and organizations responsible for road/airport construction are looking for new and innovative technologies, including prefabricated concrete pavement technologies, which can ensure effective repairs in a very short time, without closing the given lane or the entire airport. Due to the fact that the age of currently used airfield concrete pavements in Poland often exceeds 30 years, it became necessary to search for effective and fast technologies to improve their technical condition. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field of existing prefabricated concrete technologies used at airports in Poland and worldwide. In addition, an innovative technology of using a prefabricated concrete slab has been described, intended for reconstruction of damaged, local airfield pavements in Poland, which were qualified for renovation due to the direct threat to the safety of aircraft operations. The technology guarantees the reconstruction and even improvement of the load capacity of the replaced airfield panels, which was confirmed during laboratory and field tests and verified practically in the process of real operation by air traffic. In addition, the concept of further research on the development of this technology based on cooperation with neighbouring panels using dowel joints will be presented.

Assessment of the Impact of Atmospheric Corrosivity on the Cement Concrete Airfield Pavement’s Operation Process

The aim of this research is to assess corrosion in natural atmospheric conditions, based on exposure of material samples and periodic monitoring, and to determine the size of corrosion losses, their form and appearance, as well as changes in physical properties at regular time intervals. Atmospheric corrosion tests were ultimately carried out in order to determine the corrosion resistance of a cement concrete airfield pavement, as well as to assess the type of corrosion and research data in order to determine and estimate the corrosivity of the atmosphere. Atmospheric corrosivity is one of the parameters characterizing the technical condition of airfield pavement functional elements; it makes it possible to estimate a suitable frequency of airfield periodic inspections. Assessments of concrete corrosion and atmospheric corrosivity enable appropriate countermeasures to be taken in order to maintain the airport functional elements in a constant state of technical readiness. In the following study, the prepared samples were exposed to atmospheric conditions in designated places located at selected military airport facilities. Corrosion samples in the form of 50 mm × 100 mm standard samples, 1 mm to 3 mm in thickness, were placed on special frames located within fenced corrosion stations. The corrosion rate rcorr of a specific metal, expressed as a corrosion loss, depends on the environmental conditions. This article presents an atmosphere corrosivity category assessment for low-carbon steel, zinc, copper and aluminum reference samples, taking into account weight or thickness loss after one year of exposure.

Effect of joint rotation on curling responses in airfield rigid pavements

ABSTRACT This paper quantifies the relevance of restriction to joint rotation of an airfield concrete pavement when calculating critical curling stresses and deflections using a validated finite element model. The validation uses strains measured at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. To calculate critical curling stresses and deflections, the pavement was subjected to 5263 h of temperature variation determined by utilising the enhanced integrated climate model and thermocouple readings. The profiles include a wide range of average temperatures, temperature gradients, and temperature nonlinearity. Three conditions were included: (1) joints free to displace and rotate; (2) joints free to rotate, but partially restrained to vertical displacement; and (3) joints partially restrained to vertical displacement and rotation. Differences in critical stresses between the second and third conditions were greater than 5% for 70% of the time. When considering rotational restriction, critical deflections are reduced. Eighty percent of the difference, with respect to the free case, was caused by rotational restriction. It was evident that joint rotation intensifies the influence of curling stresses and deflections on long-term performance of airfield rigid pavement.

Paving an engineered cementitious composite (ECC) overlay on concrete airfield pavement for reflective cracking resistance

• Use of ECC layer to resist the reflective cracking in pavement field was proposed. • Response of ECC overlay under quasi-static and dynamic loads was investigated. • Paving ECC overlay could delay the reflective cracking effectively. Reflective cracking at joints or existing cracks is considered as a predominant distress in concrete airfield pavement under combined aircraft wheel and environmental loads. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is a kind of ductile concrete, which features of strain-hardening characteristics simultaneously along with multiple micro -cracking. Therefore, it can be a potential material as overlay on original concrete airfield pavement to prevent or delay the development of reflective cracks. In this paper, the mechanical responses of ECC/concrete composite beam with/without initial interfacial delamination under quasi-static and dynamic loads were investigated experimentally. It was found that ECC/concrete beam exhibited significantly superior flexural strength, deformation and fatigue life to that of PCC/concrete beam. In term of impact resistance, ECC overlay maintained impact load-bearing capacity even after 8 impacts, while PCC overlay was fractured into two parts after one impact. The experimental results indicate that ECC overlay paved on concrete airfield pavement could delay the development of reflective crack effectively due to its superior mechanical performance.