Interaction of Performance and Construction Risk While Testing Runway Subgrade Using Non-Destructive Methods

The performance of runway pavements depends on the complex interaction of profile geometry, material properties, induced aircraft load characteristics, environmental conditions and annual departures. Each of these elements of the problem contain significant uncertainties. Controlling the risk to adequate performance from these uncertainties can be achieved by various methods, including field verification, which itself can introduce significant construction risk. This paper presents a recent case history in which falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing of a partially demolished runway pavement base was used to investigate the effects of pavement demolition on underling layers and to quantify the stiffness of the remaining pavement layer properties. These data allow a number of insights valuable for communicating the construction and performance risks to project stakeholders. Suggestions for communicating these risks during pavement planning, analysis, design, and construction are presented.