CHAPTER 9 structural design of airport pavements...............................................
The term structural design of airport pavements refers to the determination of the thickness of the
components that make up an airfield pavement structure, rather than the design of pavement
materials itself. Pavement Analysis and design involve the interaction of four equally important
components: the subgrade (natural soil), the paving materials (surface layer, base, and subbase), the
characteristics of applied loads, and climate.
The FAA guides the design of airfield pavements within its Advisory Circular AC 150/ 5320 - 6E,
Airfield Pavement Design and Evaluation. The two primary factors that contribute to the design
thickness of airfield pavement layers are the soil base and the volume and weight of the traffic using
the pavement.
9.1 Soil Investigation and Evaluation
Accurate identification and evaluation of pavement foundations are essential for the proper design of
the pavement structure. The subgrade supports the pavement and the loads placed upon the
pavement surface. The function of the pavement is to distribute the loads to the subgrade, and the
greater the capability of the subgrade to support the loads, the less the required thickness of the
pavement.