Laboratory and Nondestructive Strength Evaluation of Airfield Pavements in New Mexico

Abstract

Pavement strength evaluation is necessary to ensure the sustainability of airfield pavements. This study focuses on different methods of airfield pavement strength evaluation. These methods include the determination of tensile stress-strain at the bottom of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) layer, pavement cross-section adequacy and accumulated damage determination over the service life. To implement these steps, Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test has been conducted on the airfields of selected airports all over New Mexico. Layer moduli have been backcalculated from the FWD test data by ELMOD. Laboratory indirect tensile test has been conducted on the samples collected from the field coring to measure the indirect tensile stress. In addition, a Finite Element Model (FEM) has been developed in ABAQUS to determine the tensile stress at the bottom of HMA layer. Pavement layer thickness adequacy has been investigated by FAARFIELD. KENLAYER has determined the accumulated damage over the service life. Remaining life has been determined from this accumulated damage. Pavement thickness adequacy investigation shows that most of the pavement sections do not have adequate thickness to withstand the load from aircraft gear. However, comparison between laboratory indirect tensile strength test and determination of tensile stress at the bottom of HMA layer by FEM as well as remaining life calculation show the pavement sections are in good condition.