Defining Australian Rigid Aircraft Pavement Design and Detailing Practice

Since the privatization of the major Australian airports in the 1990s, there has been no centralized body for the definition of Australian aircraft pavement design practice. Consequently, there is now no clearly defined practice followed in Australia for aircraft pavements, including the design and detailing of rigid pavements. This research defines Australian rigid aircraft pavement design and detailing practice by surveying 17 designs completed over 20 years. Subgrade preparation, testing, and proving as well as sub-base layer materials and thicknesses were considered, as were the basis of thickness calculation, concrete strength assumed in design and required during construction, as well as the size of slabs, joint types, and joint details. The findings provide a reference for rigid aircraft pavement designers, as well as providing a basis against which future research can be contextualized. It is recommended that a nationally consistent design and detailing practice be reestablished in the future.