Enhancing Pavement Management Practices by Evaluating Runways for Ride Quality Using Longitudinal Profiling and Aircraft Simulation (A Case History)

This paper will discuss how realizing the importance of airfield pavements and the expense and complexity involved in constructing them, pavement owners take proactive measures to preserve and protect this investment. Typically, pavement management programs consist of pavement condition surveys and structural integrity through non-destructive testing. Recently, some airports have expanded their pavement management programs to include examining the pavement’s ride quality. One method to affordably and effectively assess the ride quality of the pavement is to measure the pavement’s longitudinal profile and simulate commercial aircraft performing a takeoff or landing on that profile data. Areas of significant response can be investigated and a plan of action can be taken. The combination of aircraft simulation and true profile measurement can be used effectively to identify changes to the pavement over time. True profile is defined in this paper as a measured profile in which all grade changes and any bump or dip, regardless of wavelength or amplitude, are detected and measured. With this technique, a baseline profile of a pavement can be measured and stored. In subsequent years, that pavement can be re-measured and compared to the baseline profile. Being that it is a true profile, subtle changes to that profile can be readily identified when directly compared to the baseline profile. This capability enhances the pavement management program by allowing engineers to track these changes and project when repairs may be necessary. This paper concludes by demonstrating how this technology is put to use at Hong Kong’s new International Airport (HKIA). In this case study, baseline comparison plots, aircraft simulation, and straight edge analysis are discussed to demonstrate how changes to the pavement over time can be assessed.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie

    Rua da Consolacao, 930
    , Sao Paulo  Brazil 

    Brazilian Pavement Association

    Miguel Couto 105, Sobrelojas 204 e 205
    Rio de Janiero, CEP 20070-030,   Brazil 
  • Authors:
    • Gerardi, Michael A
  • Conference:
  • Publication Date: 2003

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: CD-ROM
  • Features: Figures; Photos; References;
  • Pagination: 11p
  • Monograph Title: 2003 International Conference. Airports: Planning, Infrastructure & Environment

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01144381
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 01-033
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 17 2009 2:58PM