Pavement Condition Assessments
Pavement condition assessments evaluate the strength, remaining life and possible implications for aircraft operations where aerodrome movement surface defects are identified. The detailed pavement assessments investigate the severity, cause and suitable repair/maintenance plans for defects. Specialist pavements are required for aerodrome runways, taxiways and aprons (movement areas) to deal with the unique loadings placed upon them during aircraft operations. By using an aerodrome pavement specialist to assess the condition of movement surfaces you can reduce maintenance costs, reduce downtime due to repairs and increase working pavement life.
Assessments can be conducted to give an airport operator a baseline condition report to assist in planning future maintenance, overlays and reconstructions. Reactive or emergency assessments can be conducted in response to damage caused by extreme weather or aircraft overloading. These reactive assessments offer the airport operator peace of mind knowing they are receiving specialist advice which will enable them to balance the safety risk to aircraft operations and the integrity of their movement surfaces.
Pavement Design Review
Aerodrome pavements are the most expensive capital works conducted at any aerodrome and often interrupt the availability of the airport for extended periods of time. Given the specialized nature of aerodrome pavements it is essential to engage the services of a consultant with aerodrome pavement expertise. JASKO offers pavement design reviews and advice for all levels of pavement works. We develop design traffic mixes and conduct design reviews to ensure that the aerodrome operator receives a pavement that is capable of providing reliable service for the design life of the pavement with reduced operating costs and maintenance downtime. This is particularly important for our regional and remote clients where it might not be possible or cost effective to engage a dedicated airport engineering consultant for the design and construction of their works. Given that this service is provided independently from the construction contractor, the airport operator can be assured of receiving unbiased advice allowing the best outcome for the airport.
Infrastructure Project Advice
Aerodromes are complicated pieces of infrastructure and are subject to strict regulatory requirements unique to the aviation industry. As such, many engineering firms lack the specialist knowledge to properly ensure their designs and construction methods are compliant with regulations. JASKO offers infrastructure project advice for aerodrome operators, ensuring that proposed designs are compliant with CASA’s safety regulations and the Department of Home Affairs aviation security regulations. Advice is given on:
- Ensuring Obstacle Limitation Surfaces are not infringed.
- Movement surfaces meet strength and spatial requirements.
- Security requirements are met.
- The design that meets the client’s expectation regarding aircraft type usage.
- Aircraft parking plans are compliant.
- Marker and markings meet standards.
- Drainage performance and adequacy.
- Holistic look at the project to ensure that each of the above elements do not adversely affect the others.
Drainage or hydrology
Aerodromes are large areas often constructed in areas where rainfall runoff can pose a problem during heavy wet seasons and extreme weather. During these events poorly designed or maintained drainage can close an airport when it is needed most. Inadequate drainage not only poses a risk to aerodrome availability but can also cause damage to movement surfaces, due to excess water infiltrating the pavement and underlying subgrade. This damage is often expensive to repair and results in lengthy closures for aerodrome operators. Drainage and hydrology assessments can be conducted by JASKO to determine the capacity of an aerodrome’s drainage system to cope with these events and offer solutions to improve the performance of these systems.