Heavy Weight Deflectometer for estimating elastic moduli of rigid airport pavements – Case of NAPTF Pavements, Construction and Building Materials, Volume 463, Elsevier.

This case report investigates the use of Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) testing to evaluate the elastic moduli of rigid airport pavements. Findings show that higher HWD drop loads (e.g. 150 kN) improve the accuracy of subgrade assessment, especially beneath stiff PCC slabs. Results also demonstrate consistency between flexible and rigid pavement subgrade responses under varied load conditions.

Assessment of ACR-PCR for rigid airport pavements: comparison with ACN-PCN system. Geotechnical Research, Emerald Publishing.

This paper evaluates the impact of transitioning from the ACN-PCN to the new ACR-PCR system for airfield pavement ratings. Using case studies and FAA methodologies, the study highlights key differences in how rigid pavement performance is assessed across 36 aircraft types, offering insights for airports preparing for this global shift.

Impact of HWD Dynamic loading on measured deflection basins and back-calculated stiffness of flexible airport pavements, Measurement, Volume 243, Elsevier.

This study examines flexible airport pavements using HWD testing, confirming a strong linear relationship between deflection and load. The findings show stable elastic responses across drop loads, with minimal variation in surface modulus, offering a useful benchmark for pavement evaluation in maintenance and rehabilitation planning.

Comparison between ACN-PCN and ACR-PCR for rigid airport pavement with case study, Road Materials and Pavement Design, Volume 26, Issue 3, Taylor & Francis.

This technical note explores the ACR–PCR system for evaluating rigid airport pavements, highlighting its consistency with pavement thickness design (PTD) results. Through a Southeast Asian case study, it demonstrates how the new ICAO approach can reduce overestimations seen in the traditional ACN–PCN method, especially for aircraft with complex gear configurations.

A systematic review of structural design methods and nondestructive tests for airport pavements. Construction and Building Materials, Volume 411.

This paper reviews current airport pavement structural design methods, comparing traditional and mechanistic-empirical approaches. It highlights recent FAA specifications and the role of FWD and HWD testing in maintenance planning, emphasising the need to account for complex gear loads and long-term pavement performance.

A Comparison of Traffic Speed Deflectometer and Heavy Weight Deflectometer Data from Airport Runway Pavement, 13th International Conference on Road and Airfield Pavement Technology.

This pioneering Australian study compares deflection trends from Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD) and Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) testing on a runway pavement. Results show consistent patterns between both devices, with TSD deflections requiring an adjustment factor of 3.6 to align with HWD data – offering valuable insight for future pavement monitoring.

Runway Groove Closure Prediction Modelling by Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Road Materials and Pavement Design, Taylor & Francis Group.

This study presents a predictive model for runway groove deterioration using GeneXProTools 5.0, incorporating factors such as wheel passes, load intensity, pavement thickness, and temperature. With strong model accuracy (R² > 0.91), the findings support airport authorities in forecasting groove wear and planning timely maintenance to restore runway friction.

A Review of PCN Determination of Airport Pavements Using FWD/HWD Test. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology.

This review outlines methods for assessing airport pavement strength using ICAO’s ACN–PCN system. It highlights how continuous PCN evaluation with FWD or HWD testing enhances precision and supports maintenance planning within Airport Pavement Management Systems (APMS), ensuring safer, load-appropriate runway operations.

Effect of Swelling Soil on Pavement Condition Index of Airport Runway Pavement, Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board, Published by National Academy of Sciences.

This study investigates the impact of expansive clay subgrades on runway pavement performance in northwest Queensland. Using PAVER software, strong correlations were found between moisture content, swelling severity, and PCI values. The developed empirical models (R² > 0.998) provide reliable tools for predicting pavement deterioration due to subgrade swelling.

Runway Grooving Techniques and Exploratory Study of the Deterioration Model, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Proceedings of 12th International Conference of Road and Airfield Pavement Technology.

This paper reviews the importance of runway grooving for aircraft safety, focusing on its role in preventing hydroplaning during wet conditions. It discusses common groove deterioration mechanisms – especially in hot climates – and highlights the need for predictive modelling to guide maintenance and regrooving decisions in line with FAA standards.

Comparison of Flexible Airfield Pavement Designs Using FAARFIELD v1.42 and APSDS 5.0, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Proceedings of 12th International Conference of Road and Airfield Pavement Technology.

This case study compares airfield pavement designs using FAARFIELD v1.42 and APSDS 5.0, revealing consistent thicknesses for subgrades with CBR ≥ 5%. The updated FAARFIELD subgrade failure models yield results closer to APSDS, particularly for aircraft with simpler gear configurations, supporting more aligned design practices across software tools.

Pavements and Lighting Forum.

Mr. Phillip Bell presented the following publication at the Australian Airports Association in 2021, this was part of the conferences focus on ‘Balancing Sustainability with Performance in Airport Pavements’.

Comparison of Flexible Airfield Pavement Designs Using FAARFIELD.

Dr. Gary Chai presented the following research abstract as part of the ICPT conference held remotely out of Sri Lanka. This abstract relates to the differentiation between software being used in the aviation and aerodrome design world.

An overview of the airport pavement management systems (APMS), International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of Airport Pavement Management Systems (APMS), examining their components, condition indices, software tools, and implementation processes. By analysing global case studies and existing guidelines, the study highlights how APMS supports data-driven, cost-effective maintenance planning and long-term pavement performance forecasting for airport operators.

Modelling of Subgrade Non-linearity using FWD and TSD for Airfield and Road Pavements, 1st iSMARTi International Symposium on Pavement Service Functional Design and Management.

This paper introduces two novel approaches – Simplified Deflection Modeling and the Deflection Ratio (DefR) method – for characterising nonlinear subgrade behaviour in flexible pavements using FWD data. Both techniques offer practical alternatives for identifying and modelling subgrade nonlinearity, enhancing structural evaluation accuracy.

An overview of the airport pavement management systems (APMS).

This paper provides a comprehensive review of Airport Pavement Management Systems (APMS), detailing their components, implementation processes, and the role of software tools in maintenance planning. By analysing global case studies and existing guidelines, the study highlights how APMS supports data-driven, cost-effective maintenance planning and long-term pavement performance forecasting for airport operators.