Traffic Testing of a Fiberglass-Reinforced Polyester Resin Surfacing for Rapid Runway Repair

摘要

This report documents traffic tests of a fiberglass-reinforced polyester resin (FRP) membrane, conducted at the Rapid Runway Repair Test Facility of the Air Force Engineering and Services Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The membrane functions primarily as a trafficable cap, preventing foreign object damage to aircraft, over a backfilled bomb crater. The membrane also reduces rutting, from rolling aircraft wheels, in a 24-in.-thick crushed limestone base course overlaying backfilled debris. In the tests, applied traffic consisted of 150 and 20 coverages of load carts simulating F-4 and C-141 aircraft main gears, respectively. Experimentally recorded soil strain and surfacing deflection data are compared with predictions formulated previously, in which the finite element method of structural analysis was used. Recommendations are provided for further evaluation necessary for the certification of the concept for rapid runway repair. (Author)