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Airfield Pavement

Airfield pavements are among the most important facilities at an airport. If there are no runways for aircraft to land on and takeoff from, no taxiways allowing aircraft to reach the runways, and no aprons provided for aircraft to load/unload passengers and cargo or to refuel, then aircraft operations cannot take place and effectively there is no airport.

aerial of runway

large plane

Airfield pavements represent a substantial financial investment. Depending on the size of the airport, often 40% to 50% of the capital cost of infrastructure lies in pavements. Such an investment deserves to be protected and managed wisely.

What is a Pavement?

Typical Pavement Cross-Section

Layered Construction that comprises most airfield pavement structures

Click on the thumbnail  to see the layered construction that comprises most airfield pavement structures.

At the top is the Surface Course which is usually an asphalt or Portland cement concrete material.  Bound surfaces such as these provide stability and durability for year-round traffic operations.  Asphalt surfaces are from 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) thick and concrete surfaces from 23 to 40 cm (9 to 16 inches) thick.

The next layer is the Base Course - a high quality crushed stone or gravel material necessary to ensure stability under high aircraft tire pressures.  Bases vary in thickness from 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches).

The bottom layer is the Subbase Course which is constructed with non-frost susceptible but lower quality granular aggregates.  Subbases increase the pavement strength and reduce the effects of frost action on the subgrade.  Subbase thicknesses are usually 30 cm (12 inches) or more.

These three (3) layers (Surface, Base and Subbase Courses) have a 
combined thickness of 60 to 150 cm (2 to 5 feet) and are placed on the subgrade - the pavement foundation.

The Subgrade is the natural in-situ soil material which has been cut to grade, or in a fill section, is imported common material built up over the in-situ material.  The subgrade must provide a stable and uniform support for the overlying pavement structure.

At small, less frequently trafficked or remote airports, pavements may not receive an asphalt or concrete surfacing, but simply an unbound gravel, compacted earth or even a turf surface.  These surfaces are not as durable as bound surfaces and may be subject to operational restrictions during rainy periods or spring thaw.  They are usually not suitable for heavy aircraft loads.

Date modified:
2010-09-30