ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT. Concrete pavements at U.K. airfields are subjected to severe stresses and loads during normal service, for example, one aircraft lands at Heathrow Airport every minute at peak periods. Consequently the concrete slabs which make up the pavement are prone to cracking and spalling. Current legislation from the Civil Airlines Authority dictate that poor pavements must be closed in order to avoid any damage to jet engines, fuel lines or tyres from pieces of loose concrete. Although repairs to small areas are possible, the only answer in some cases is replacement of the slab and many airfields allow possession times of only 6 to 7 hours. PQ-X cement was developed to fulfil this need and allows the replacement of damaged slabs to be completed during the night. The replacement of damaged panels at one critical area of the airport was achieved over two weekends in October 1992, the alternative being a six week program of costly diversions.