Title:
Design and Construction of Heavy-Duty Airfield Pavements at Edwards Air Force Base
Author(s):
Robert J. Shultz and Robert B. Fatherson
Publication:
Journal Proceedings
Volume:
52
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
525-536
Keywords:
no keywords
DOI:
10.14359/11612
Date:
1/1/1956
Abstract:
Flight testing and proving modern military aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base required a runway 300 ft aide and 15,000 ft long. The airfield will require ultimately the construction of approximately 2,000,000 sq yd of heavy-duty pavement. The runway pavrment was designed for a 500,000-lb airplane, the load to be carried by four sets of dual wheels. Minor service taxiways were designed for a l00,000-lb gear load and hangar floors for an 80,000-lb gear load, Additional criteria required the 500-ft end sections of the runway be constructed with heat-resistant concrete and that the pavement, have an extremely uniform and true finished surface. Slabs 17 and 19 in. thick constructed to uniform longitudinal grades and cstrcmely fiat transverse slopes represent the major design features. Design and construction of the runway is described.