Structural Reinforcement for Existing Airport Pavements

Descriptions of construction procedures that reflect a systems approach for the reinforcement of existing airport pavements are presented. The construction procedures consist of the conventional methods for overlaying flexible and rigid pavements as well as a unique procedure for the use of prestressed concrete panel components. The combination of prestressed concrete panels with bituminous overlays (composite pavement construction) provides a new concept for varying levels of structural reinforcement for existing pavement systems. A summary of composite pavement research and developmental work sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Highways in cooperation with the Bureau of Public Roads as well as the author's suggestions for the application of this paving concept to the current needs for strengthening airport pavements are given. The promising features associated with the use of prestressed concrete panels for pavement construction are: (1) Minimization of out of service time for construction; (2) utilization of high-strength materials available in prestressed concrete; (3) utilization of high-quality prefabricated structural components produced under strict plant controlled operations; and (4) intermediate levels of flexibility and rigidity available in composite pavement construction.