Analysis of Measured Dynamic Response of Airport Runway Under Boeing 777 Loading

Abstract:

Pavement strain and deflection of Denver International Airport runway are analyzed to study dynamic response of the airport runway when Boeing777 taxiing on it. The results show that the closer the wheel loads from the sensor, the greater the strain and deflection. There are three peak points for the deflection curve of location near the transverse joint, corresponding to the aircraft’s three axles, while deflection curves for location near central slab and mid longitudinal joint are semi sinusoidal shaped, with only one peak point. When loading at transverse joint edge, void occurs between slab and base for neighboring slab without loading. Settlement of foundation takes up the main part of total settlement amount of pavement, inelastic deformation occurring in depth of 3.05~6.10 m range is very small, which implies that the ground below 3.05 m depth can be regarded as elastic foundation. Transverse strain of slab shows three times fluctuating after reaching a certain level, while longitudinal strain displays twice transforming between tension and compression, and strain recovery between wheel loads at longitudinal joint edge is significant, which means more prone to fatigue damage. Offset of neutral plane due to bonding effect is greater at central slab than at the edge, so the interface between slab and base at the edge can be considered as separated, while bound state is employed at the center. These conclusions are useful as guidance for the optimum design and scientific construction of airport runways.