Numerical Study on the Feasibility of Flexible Runway Pavement to Resist Impact Loading

Abstract

Multi-layer composite runway pavement always undergoes impact loading and surface depression becomes a concern for flexible runway pavement. The repair work is difficult due to the frequent arrival and departure of aircrafts and it is also very expensive. Literature informs that very limited study has been conducted to explore the behaviour of flexible runway pavement under impact loading and no improvement technique is yet developed to control this surface deflection in an economical way. So, the present study focussed on improving the base and sub-base layer of composite pavement and thereby reducing the deflection of the asphalt concrete surface layer when subjected to hard impact. Finite element analysis was conducted to identify the feasible composition of multi-layer composite under impact loading.