Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Mustaque A. Hossain / The objective of this research project was to assess the condition of general aviation airport pavements in Kansas. The study was also intended to form the basis for a pavement management system (PMS). A total of 137 runways from 107 airports across the state were surveyed. MicroPAVER, a PMS system developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was selected as the platform for the PMS. An inventory database was developed for all runways in the network. Information about the construction and maintenance history was entered into the MicroPAVER database. On-site surveys were conducted between the months of May and July of 2008 to assess pavement conditions in terms of the Pavement Condition Index (PCI), following the methodology outlined by ASTM D 5340-04 and adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Approximately 68% of the sections surveyed were in “good” to “satisfactory” condition. Almost one-third of the network can be rated as “good.” About 21% of the sections studied were in “fair” condition. Overall, the condition of the network can be rated as “satisfactory.” A condition prediction curve was developed for each of the two different types of surfaces. From the prediction curves created using MicroPAVER, it was estimated that the number of branches rated as “good” could decrease by 50% by 2010. As much as 44% of the network could have a rating of “fair” by 2013 if the sections receive only routine maintenance. Two budget scenario comparison reports developed show that the 108 runways of the 78 general aviation airports eligible for FAA funding in Kansas could be brought to a “satisfactory” rating or above (i.e. average PCI ≥ 70) by spending approximately $15 million on average per year for the next five years.

Submitted by Lucienne Costa (lucienneferreira@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-04-13T18:16:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MAURO HENRIQUE ALVES NASCIMENTO – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGECA) 2017.pdf: 22942682 bytes, checksum: d52bbbcac224ea9695c0dd3c9ffc12d1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-13T18:16:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MAURO HENRIQUE ALVES NASCIMENTO – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGECA) 2017.pdf: 22942682 bytes, checksum: d52bbbcac224ea9695c0dd3c9ffc12d1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-09 / Com a finalidade de sanar as degradações do pavimento, devem-se realizar estudos avaliativos das condições estruturais, objetivando identificar as possíveis causas dos defeitos e sobretudo fornecer subsídios, sobre quais medidas corretivas devem ser adotadas para a restauração das condições adequadas e aceitáveis do pavimento. Diante destas circunstâncias, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo identificar as possíveis causas das ocorrências dos defeitos parabólicos observados na superfície dos pavimentos flexíveis das pistas de pouso e decolagem e de taxiamento do Aeroporto Internacional de Natal. Para isso, realizou-se uma avaliação estrutural não destrutiva, por meio do levantamento deflectométrico com o Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), o qual foi realizado em toda a extensão das pistas e em diversas faixas de aquisição de dados. Com o FWD obteve-se as bacias de deflexões que possibilitaram por processo de retroanálise, por meio do software BAKFAA 2.0, caracterizar o comportamento resiliente in situ das camadas do pavimento. Com o software ELSYM5 realizou-se a análise empírico-mecanística, para verificar os níveis de tensões cisalhantes atuantes nas diversas profundidades das camadas do pavimento, inclusive na interface de ligação entre as camadas asfálticas. Também foram realizados ensaios laboratoriais de caracterização das propriedades mecânicas, tais como: módulo de resiliência, resistência a tração indireta e o ensaio de Leutner shear Test. Concluiu-se que os defeitos observados na superfície das pistas enquadravam-se na série de defeitos classificados de escorregamento do revestimento asfáltico, ou Slippage, e que os fatores que culminaram na ocorrência destes defeitos relacionam-se com a baixa aderência da interface de ligação e com a incompatibilidade de rigidez entre as camadas adjacentes de mistura asfálticas. / In order to remedy pavement degradation, evaluation studies of the structural conditions should be carried out to identify the possible causes of the defects and, above all, provide information on which corrective measures should be taken to restore adequat and acceptable conditions of the pavement. In view of these circumstances, the present work has the objective of identifying the possible causes of parabolic defects seen in the surface of the flexible pavements of the landing and take - off runways and taxiways of Natal International Airport runway. For this, a non-destructive structural evaluation was carried out by means of the deflectometric survey with the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), which was carried out along the whole length of the tracks and in several ranges of data acquisition. With the FWD, the deflection basins were obtained, which enabled the BAKFAA 2.0 software to characterize the in situ resilient behavior of the pavement layers by means of a retro-analysis process. With the ELSYM5 software, the empirical-mechanistic analysis was performed to verify the levels of shear stresses at different depths of the pavement layers, including the interface between the asphalt layers. Furthermore, laboratory characterization of mechanical properties such as: resilience modulus, tensile strength and Leutner shear test were carried out. It is concluded that the defects observed on the runway surface fit into the series of defects classified as slippage of the asphalt coating, or Slippage, and that the factors that culminated in the occurrence of these defects are related to the low adhesion of the interface and With the incompatibility of stiffness between the adjacent layers of asphalt mixtures.

The research described herein is composed of four major areas of practice. It examines the overall performance of runways and provides tools designed to improve current runway operations and management with particular emphasis on contaminated surfaces. Presented in this thesis is an overview of how to design airport pavements in order to achieve optimal friction by specifically focusing on material selection and construction techniques for rigid and flexible pavements. Rubber buildup and the impact rubber accumulation has on decreasing runway friction, particularly in a range of climatic conditions, is discussed. Four commonly used rubber removal techniques are presented and evaluated. Through this research, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision making protocol was developed for incorporation into airport pavement management systems (APMS). Runway surface condition reporting practices used at the Region of Waterloo International Airport are evaluated and recommendations for improving current practices are identified. Runway surface condition reporting can be improved by removing subjectivity, reporting conditions to pilots in real time, standardizing terminology and measurement techniques, and including runway pictures or sketches to identify contaminant locations where possible. Reports should be incorporated and stored in the APMS. Aircraft braking systems and their effects on landing distances under contaminated conditions are discussed. This thesis presents a proposed solution for monitoring and measuring contaminated runway surfaces and identifying the risks associated with aircraft landing through using the Braking Availability Tester (BAT). Also proposed in this thesis is a testing framework for validating the Braking Availability Tester. The proposed BAT measures interaction between aircraft antiskid braking systems and runway contaminants to determine landing distances more accurately. Finally, this thesis includes a discussion explaining how pavement design, contaminant removal, results from friction tests, and results from the BAT can be incorporated into airport pavement management systems. APMS data can be analyzed to economically optimize and prioritize scheduling of pavement maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation treatments to maintain a high level of service, thereby contributing to runway safety and optimization.

The research described herein is composed of four major areas of practice. It examines the overall performance of runways and provides tools designed to improve current runway operations and management with particular emphasis on contaminated surfaces. Presented in this thesis is an overview of how to design airport pavements in order to achieve optimal friction by specifically focusing on material selection and construction techniques for rigid and flexible pavements. Rubber buildup and the impact rubber accumulation has on decreasing runway friction, particularly in a range of climatic conditions, is discussed. Four commonly used rubber removal techniques are presented and evaluated. Through this research, an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) decision making protocol was developed for incorporation into airport pavement management systems (APMS). Runway surface condition reporting practices used at the Region of Waterloo International Airport are evaluated and recommendations for improving current practices are identified. Runway surface condition reporting can be improved by removing subjectivity, reporting conditions to pilots in real time, standardizing terminology and measurement techniques, and including runway pictures or sketches to identify contaminant locations where possible. Reports should be incorporated and stored in the APMS. Aircraft braking systems and their effects on landing distances under contaminated conditions are discussed. This thesis presents a proposed solution for monitoring and measuring contaminated runway surfaces and identifying the risks associated with aircraft landing through using the Braking Availability Tester (BAT). Also proposed in this thesis is a testing framework for validating the Braking Availability Tester. The proposed BAT measures interaction between aircraft antiskid braking systems and runway contaminants to determine landing distances more accurately. Finally, this thesis includes a discussion explaining how pavement design, contaminant removal, results from friction tests, and results from the BAT can be incorporated into airport pavement management systems. APMS data can be analyzed to economically optimize and prioritize scheduling of pavement maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation treatments to maintain a high level of service, thereby contributing to runway safety and optimization.