Performance of Cracked and Seated Rigid Airport Pavements

摘要

Despite the growing popularity of the crack and seat technique, little guidance is available for use in evaluating and designing overlays for cracked and seated airfield pavements. Towards solving this problem, a case study was undertaken to compare in-situ characteristics and overlay requirements of three different pavement sections at Suffolk Municipal Airport, Virginia. Nondestructive testing was used to determine the in-situ pavement properties and visual surveys were conducted to assess the condition rating of the pavements. The results of the NDT testing program were used to predict and compare the PCC layer moduli and to design AC overlays. The results of the study indicate that: (1) while the use of the crack and seat technique appears to be effective, reflective cracking is not eliminated: (2) the strength of the PCC layer is significantly reduced after cracking and seating and hence, thicker AC overlays are required and (3) a greater degree of cracking before placing the overlay would have been helpful. The uses of a modified FAA flexible pavement procedure for the design of AC overlays is recommended as an interim procedure. NDT testing as a construction quality control device during breaking of the PCC is also recommended.