CRACK SURVEY, CRACK REPAIR METHODOLOGY AND OVERLAY DESIGN FOR REHABILITATION OF A RUNWAY PAVEMENT

Abstract

Extensive cracking on the runway slabs at the Zia International Airport, Dhaka took place due to overloading of aircraft operations and poor subgrade stability. A visual crack survey was carried out in 1993. The survey detected cracks of width of less than 6.4 mm to more than 50 mm which were classified into four types according to their width of opening. Repair methodologies were developed for each category of crack. The thickness of the asphalt overlay at the centreline of the runway was 200 mm and a slope of 1.5 per cent of the surface was provided. The repair works and the construction of the overlay were carried out at night. The runway has been in service and no sign of distress has been observed since the completion of repair works and overlay construction in 1996.