The Airport Asphalt Pavement Technology Program (AAPTP) released two new research reports offering updated technical guidance to improve the performance, safety and durability of asphalt pavements at the nation's airfields. The findings give engineers and contractors new tools for testing, design and construction at airports nationwide.
The two studies address compaction method validation for asphalt mix design and the prevention of pavement slippage failures at high-speed runway exits.
Study 1: Validating Gyration Levels for Asphalt Mix Design
New research confirms that both the traditional Marshall hammer and the modern Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) can produce comparable results for airport asphalt mix design, giving agencies and contractors a reliable baseline for using either system. The study also provides practical guidance for organizations transitioning to newer compaction equipment.
Researchers from the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University and the University of Nevada, Reno, conducted the work to support the Federal Aviation Administration's stringent materials and construction requirements.
"Although this research has been done before, the results have never been robust enough to implement," said Dr. Richard Willis, NAPA vice president of engineering, research and technology. "We wanted to establish a reliable baseline that would allow complementary designs using both the Marshall hammer and the SGC and ultimately make the results practical to adopt."
Study 2: Preventing Slippage Failures at High-Speed Exits
A second study identifies the key causes of pavement slippage failures near high-speed runway exits — zones where aircraft rapidly transition from landing speeds to taxiing — and equips airport engineers with improved tools for pavement design and construction. Findings address interface delamination, shear-stress ratio thresholds and temperature sensitivity.
Researchers from Rutgers University, NCAT and Arizona State University investigated how unstable mixtures, weak interlayer bonding, temperature conditions and construction practices contribute to these failures.
"As an engineer and a professor, I always enjoy solving practical problems," said Dr. Hao Wang, civil and environmental engineering professor of Rutgers University. "This project gave us an opportunity to apply our knowledge to real-world issues and contribute to aviation safety."
For more informaiton, visit AirportAsphalt.com.
