Open AccessAn innovative constructional and technical method of using a prefabricated, dowelled reinforced concrete slab for effective repairs of airport pavements
Author(s) -
Bartosz Świerzewski,
Mariusz Wesołowski
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
przegląd komunikacyjny
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2544-6037
pISSN - 0033-2232
DOI - 10.35117/a_eng_21_09_10_11_01
Subject(s) - slab , engineering , dimensioning , dowel , stiffness , finite element method , civil engineering , transport engineering , structural engineering , aerospace engineering
Airport pavements, constituting the ground part of the maneuvering area intended for the movement, parking and servicing of aircraft, are an extremely important element of the airport infrastructure. The main task of the pavement is to transfer utility loads from moving or standing aircraft. The technical condition of airport pavements, which should not raise any doubts, is a key element for ensuring the safety of air operations. The repair method consisting in the use of a prefabricated airport slab in the place of excessive degradation of existing slabs introduces a pioneering method of connecting slabs with adjacent slabs, creating a new construction quality that increases the spatial stiffness of the entire functional element of the pavement. The performed dimensioning and static - strength analysis of the prefabricated airport slab using the finite element method in the aspect of the global state of effort of the structure confirmed that the technical solution with the use of a dowel joint was properly designed, because it has a positive effect on the redistribution of loads transfer between cooperating prefabricated slabs. The conducted laboratory and field tests and operational features gave clearly positive results, which determine the purposefulness of the application and popularization of this repair method. The implementation experience gathered in the course of the work carried out allows to state the complete technical efficiency of the proposed design solution. Considering the relatively quick and easy replacement of the slabs without the need to introduce longer breaks in air traffic, this technology can be successfully used in both civil and military aviation. The potential of this technical solution can also be used in the repair of concrete road surfaces.Keywords: Prefabricated slab; Airport; Airport pavements; Carrying capacity; Damage to concrete pavements; Dowels; Security