Airport Pavement Design

Competencies Obtained

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

• List the elements of pavement design.
• Explain the key factors that can influence the decision to construct either a flexible or rigid airport pavement in a particular area.
• Explain the process for, and key considerations when, determining the required pavement thickness.
• Describe common subgrade and ‘fill’ materials and their properties.
• Describe the materials commonly used to construct the various pavement layers and their properties.
• Describe how design considerations impact a pavement’s ability to meet functional performance requirements.

Who Should Enrol?

• Airport operations staff and managers, regulators and inspectors, engineers, project managers, and others who are responsible for designing, constructing, evaluating, or maintaining airfield pavements.
• Anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of airfield pavements.

Course Content

This course covers the following topics:

1. Introduction

• The performance requirements airport pavements must meet.
• Key elements of pavement design.

2. Pavement Type Selection

• The two main types of pavement – flexible and rigid.
• Factors to consider when determining which type of pavement is best for a particular area.

3. Pavement Thickness Determination

• Key historical developments in pavement thickness determination.
• Modern-day processes for, and key considerations when, determining the required pavement thickness.

4. Pavement Materials – PART 1

• Common naturally occurring subgrade and fill materials and their properties.

5. Pavement Materials – PART 2

• Materials commonly used to construct the pavement layers.
• Key requirements and considerations for the different materials.
• Standard material specifications for pavement design and construction.

6. Functional Design Requirements

• Functional performance requirements for airport pavements.
• How pavement design impacts the pavement’s functional performance.

Assessment

This course includes an integrated online assessment. Candidates must successfully complete the assessment to receive a Certificate of Completion.