Analysis of the Anti-Skid Properties of New Airfield Pavements in Aspect of Applicable Requirements

• Main Authors: Mariusz Zieja, Mariusz Wesołowski, Krzysztof Blacha, Paweł Iwanowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Coatings
• Subjects: airfield pavement texture; coefficient of friction; anti-skid properties of the airfield pavement; safety of air operations; skid resistance
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/11/7/778

The assessment of the anti-skid properties of airfield pavements is one of the elements in the process of determining their current technical condition, which is important in terms of the safety of air operations. The condition of the pavement should be qualified on the basis of the specified and required values (criteria), in this case, the coefficient of friction and the depth of the texture. Unfortunately, in practice, the assessment of the texture of new airfield pavements raises some doubts with regard to the existing requirements. The work presents an analysis of the results of texture tests for new airfield pavements in relation to current requirements. In addition, the authors proposed a new criterion of average texture depth for new airfield pavements, based on actual field measurement results. Field studies used an innovative method of assessing anti-skid properties with a measuring system that allows simultaneous measurement of the coefficient of friction, <i>μ,</i> and the new continuous coefficient of average profile depth and texture <i>CMPTD</i>, from which <i>MPD</i> (Mean Profile Depth) and <i>ETD</i> (Estimated Texture Depth) can be determined. The results of the tests cast doubt on the possibility of obtaining the average texture depth (currently 1.00 mm) required for new airfield pavements.