Jointless Pavements for Heavy-Duty Airport Application: The Semi-Flexible Approach

In Copenhagen Airport, extensive developments in the field of Semi-Flexible pavement structures have demonstrated high potentials for very heavy loads and static loads in particular. The experience of the Semi-Flexible Pavement (SFP) concept dates back 25 years. However, during the late eighties, a new generation of this special product emerged which brought about further development towards high quality pavements exhibiting very high strength and durability. Today, it is possible to design Semi-Flexible Pavements for type E aircrafts in regard of aprons, stand gates, de-icing stands, start-up pads, taxiways and other heavy loaded areas. More than 300,000m 2 has been applied in Copenhagen Airport. Of this area, 165,000m 2 are constructed from 1988 through 2000 utilizing the enhanced second generation technique. The general SFP concept consists of a joint less wearing course composed of an open-graded asphalt concrete filled with a special slurry grout. The underlying bituminous layers are designed for high strength and high loadbearing capacity. The Semi-Flexible wearing course will not develop cracks due to shrinkage, nor will it show any plastic flow. The joint less SFP have provided Copenhagen Airport with a high performing pavement with a minimum of maintenance. The better economy and advantageous technology offered by the SFP have been desirable compared to concrete slab pavements. The new enhanced Heavy-Duty SemiFlexible Pavement structures are expected to be the desired solution for pavements designed for heavy loads. 1 Jean Mayer, Manager of Constructmon, Copenhagen Airport, Luflhavnsboulevarden 6, 2770 Kastrup, Denmark; phone +45 32313231; j.mayer@cph.dk 2Mikael Thau, Director, LOTCON, Roegen Hedevej 148, 8472 Sporup, Denmark; phone +45 26228146; mt@lotcon.dk