Use of nondestructive test deflection data for predicting airport pavement performance

Surface deflections using nondestructive tests (NDTs) were measured prior to and throughout the traffic testing at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF). The first series of traffic tests involved repeated loading of six-wheel Boeing 777 and four-wheel Boeing 747 test gears on two different lanes until the pavements were deemed failed. The NAPTF structural failure criterion was defined as at least 25.4 mm (1 in.) surface upheaval adjacent to the traffic lane. A predetermined wander sequence was applied. Two low-strength subgrade and two medium-strength subgrade flexible pavement test sections were tested. Transverse surface profiles were measured periodically to monitor the progression of permanent deformation in pavements. Deflection basin parameters derived from NDT surface deflections were related to pavement rutting performance. An airport pavement functional failure criterion, defined in terms of number of traffic load repetitions to reach specific rut depth levels, was used in characterizing the structural response-performance relations. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(2007)133:6(389) CE Database subject headings: Deflection; Predictions; Airports; Pavements; Full-scale tests; Nondestructive tests; Performance characteristics.