Considerations in airport design and pavement construction

This study comprehensively examines the fundamental engineering principles, soil characteristics, and pavement systems that must be considered during the design processes of airport superstructures. The increasing air traffic and evolving aircraft technologies have made it essential to develop high load-bearing and long-lasting pavement solutions for airside facilities such as runways, taxiways, and aprons (PAT areas). In this context, flexible, rigid, and composite pavement systems are compared in detail with respect to their layer configurations, load distribution mechanisms, climate resistance, and maintenance requirements. The primary objective of each pavement system is to effectively transfer the heavy and repetitive loads generated by aircraft to the underlying layers. In superstructure systems, the engineering characteristics of various structural layers—such as the base course, subbase course, and subgrade—directly affect the load bearing capacity and performance of the structure. Accordingly, soil classification systems, liquid limit, plasticity index, swell percentage, and CBR (California Bearing Ratio) values are evaluated in detail. The physical and mechanical properties of materials to be used in pavement layers—such as gradation, abrasion resistance, frost durability, and permeability—are analyzed in accordance with national and international technical specifications including TS (Turkish Standards), AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) standards. Furthermore, drainage systems, groundwater level, fill material quality, and compaction criteria are addressed as factors that directly impact pavement lifespan. Pavement capacity and aircraft–pavement compatibility are assessed using internationally recognized design methods such as FAA guidelines, CBR methodology, and the ACN/PCN (Aircraft Classification Number/Pavement Classification Number) system. This thesis extensively addresses the integration of construction materials used in airport superstructures with practical engineering applications. The design principles, load bearing behavior, and resistance characteristics of flexible (layered/asphalt-type) and rigid (reinforced concrete) pavements under external effects are evaluated through comparative analysis. In addition, the technical specifications of the structural materials to be used in the pavement layers are examined through various experimental methods, including liquid limit, plasticity index, CBR, Proctor compaction test, and modulus of subgrade reaction. Moreover, based on national and international standards (AASHTO, CBR, ACN/PCN, FAA, TS, etc.), pavement layer thicknesses were calculated for the A330-300 aircraft type for both flexible and rigid pavement designs, and corresponding performance data were obtained. In conclusion, this study provides a scientific and engineering-based perspective on the selection of construction materials to be used in airport pavements. It emphasizes the strategic importance of appropriate material selection and layer thickness in extending service life, enhancing operational safety, and achieving sustainable airport infrastructure.