Performance of an Airfield Flexible Pavement and a Novel PCN Determination Method

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study that evaluated the performance of a new runway at the northernmost US airport in Barrow, Alaska. Due to the appearance of early pavement surface distresses, nondestructive heavy-weight deflectometer (HWD) testing was performed 2 and 5 years after the construction of the 2,165-m asphalt runway. Pavement borings were used to determine the layer thicknesses and obtain samples for material characterization of the asphalt concrete (AC) and base/subbase layers. Mechanistic-empirical (ME) pavement evaluation methods were used to determine the overlay thickness required for the anticipated aircraft mix. Results showed that, for a 20-year design life, the pavement’s performance could be improved with a 75-mm AC overlay. In addition, the runway’s Pavement Classification Number (PCN) was calculated using a novel procedure compatible with the latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ME pavement design and evaluation procedures. The PCN values for the existing and the overlaid pavement conditions were determined. Results revealed that the existing pavement’s PCN of 28 could be increased to a PCN of 46 with the placement of the asphalt overlay.