Airport runway construction is a complex engineering project requiring high strength, load resistance and durability. In the recent years, geosynthetics, including geotextile and geogrid materials, have become widely used in runway construction aiming at better performance and operation stability. This article considers various aspects of geomaterial application in airport runway construction, including its role in soil reinforcement, drainage systems and reduction of negative geological impact.
Contents
Mitigation of negative geological impact
Introduction
Runway construction is a key stage of the airport infrastructure development. The existing runway requirements specify runways of high strength, dynamic load resistance, deformation stability and other relevant properties.
Geosynthetics allow a substantial improvement of runway performance, securing their durability and operation stability.
Soils reinforcement
Geosynthetics are widely used in runway soil reinforcement. Geotextile materials, such as woven geotextiles, enable development of a stable runway foundation, with deformations and soil settlement caused by aircraft loads minimized.
Geosynthetic materials effectively distribute the load across the whole runway width, preventing the load concentration in certain points. This enables higher runway reliability and durability, also lowering the risk of crack and pothole development.
Geospan GT and Geospan GT PP represent woven geotextile fabrics in Geospan range.
Drainage systems
Securing a drainage system effectiveness is one of the important functions of geomaterials in runway construction. Geotextiles can be used as filters enabling water passage and drain system clogging prevention. This aids in maintaining soil stability and preventing its wash-out. Moreover, geodrainage systems consisting of geocomposites enable efficient water evacuation and prevention of moisture concentration in a runway foundation.
Geospan BB and Geospan GT PP D represent drainage system materials in Geospan range.
Negative geological impact mitigation
Geosynthetics may also help coping with unfavourable geological conditions that may have a negative impact on runway construction. In case of soft and unstable soils, for example, geosynthetics can be used to construct geotextile supports, thus enabling reinforcement and stabilization of weak soil layers. Geogrids can also be used to reinforce runway foundations where there are earth-slide areas or high-settlement-risk areas.
Geospan GC (GCP) represents geogrids in Geospan range.
Conclusions
Geomaterials use in airport runway construction is an important technological advance. Geosynthetics enable better runway performance, providing strength, load resistance and durability. Besides, geosynthetics aid in lowering ecological impacts, since its use results in lower extraction volumes of minerals, such as gravel or macadam, and lower costs of transporting these materials to site. This leads to CO2 sequestration and lower minerals consumption.
Geomaterial use in runway construction is also a way to enhance flight safety. Improved runway performance, such as soil reinforcement and efficient drainage systems, helps prevent formation of potholes, cracks and other damages that may endanger aircraft safety at takeoff and landing.
In general, geomaterial use in airport runway construction opens new opportunities for development of a stronger and more resilient infrastructure. Continuous research and development in the field of geomaterials allow to put forward innovative solutions enabling steady development of aviation and mitigation of negative impact to environment.
Our Engineering Center is closely cooperating with Geospan producer’s technical support units and competently handling unorthodox tasks in project design and construction, including airport runway construction.
