Case Study on the Application of Geotextile in Airport Runway Rehabilitation and Upgrade Projects
Airport Runway Reinforcement Geotextile
Runway Rehabilitation and Upgrade Project
Ⅰ. Project Overview
An airport with an annual passenger throughput exceeding 33 million faces aging runway and taxiway base layers. Issues such as insufficient load-bearing capacity, localized settlement, and water infiltration have led to pavement damage. Structural upgrading and reinforcement are required under non-stop air operations (i.e., continuous flight operations during construction).
Ⅱ. Geotextile Application Details
·Product Specification: 200 g/㎡ national standard short-filament needle-punched nonwoven geotextile
·Application Locations:
Reinforcement of existing runway base
Full coverage between subgrade and base layer of newly constructed taxiways
Filter wrapping for slope drainage systems
·Installation Procedure:
Milling and cleaning of old pavement → Subgrade compaction → Full-width geotextile laying (lap ≥ 250 mm) → Stitching and anchoring → Placement of graded crushed stone base → Asphalt surfacing (conducted in segments to allow uninterrupted flight operations)
·Quantity Used: Total installation area: 63,602 m²
Ⅲ. Core Functions of Geotextile
·Base Reinforcement: Enhances the load-bearing capacity of the existing subgrade, distributes heavy traffic loads, and reduces pavement deflection.
·Isolation and Contamination Prevention: Prevents soil from the old subgrade from mixing into the new base layer, avoiding contamination of structural layers and strength degradation.
·Drainage and Waterproofing: Rapidly drains rainwater, reduces moisture content in the base layer, and lowers the risk of water-induced damage.
·Crack Resistance and Buffering: Suppresses the upward reflection of cracks from the old subgrade, extending the service life of the new surface layer.
Ⅳ. Implementation Results
·Load-Bearing Capacity: The load-bearing capacity of the runway base increased by 40%, meeting the takeoff and landing requirements for E-class aircraft (e.g., Boeing 747, Airbus A340).
·Pavement Condition: After 18 months of operation, no cracks or settlement have been observed; the maintenance interval has been extended by 3–5 years.
·Cost Control: Reduced fill thickness by 20%, lowered material and transportation costs by approximately 25%, and minimized flight disruption losses due to non-stop air operations during construction.
