Airfield pavements are exposed to special conditions such as the effects of runway and aircraft deicing chemicals, which may result in accelerated deterioration of the pavement. Aircraft safety may be jeopardised through stones loosening from the pavement, causing damage to aircraft engines. Accelerated deterioration of the pavement also shortens pavement life, resulting in increased capital costs. Special requirements therefore are neededfor airfield pavements and binders used in such pavements. In Sweden, polymer modified bitumen frequently is used for asphalt concrete pavements oncivil airfields. Special requirements specifications based on climatic conditions have been developed for such binders to ensure good performance as well as good resistance to deicing chemicals. Within a project run by Swedavia, renovation was carried out since spring 2004 at Pristina airport in Kosovo. The selection of bitumen is based on climatic conditions in the Kosovo area and Swedish experience of polymer modified binders for airfields since 1998. For the wearing course, the selected binder will be polymermodified bitumen fulfilling the requirements of PG (Performance Grade) 76-22 according to SHRP (Strategic Highway Research Program) with certain additional tests and requirements. In this paper, Swedish experience of polymer modified binders for airfields is summarized and the binder design forPristina airport discussed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Abstract