Reef Runway is First in Airport Design

Hermann, Frank V.; Rickerd, Wayne L.; Miyamoto, Owen; ,

Reef Runway is First in Airport Design

by Frank V. Hermann, (M.ASCE), Sr. Airport Planner; The Ralph M. Parsons Co., Honolulu, Hawaii,
Wayne L. Rickerd, (M.ASCE), Project Mgr.; The Ralph M. Parsons Co., Honolulu, Hawaii,
Owen Miyamoto, (M.ASCE), Chf.; Air Transportation Facilities Div., Dept. of Transportation, State of Hawaii, Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii,

Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1978, Vol. 48, Issue 6, Pg. 105-108

Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The Reef Runway Project of Honolulu International Airport constructed on a coral reef, provides approximately 765 acres of new land for the 12,000-ft-long runway with its associated taxiways and protective structure. Over 19,000,000 yd� of dredged material pumped by three hydraulic suction dredges form the land mass. Some 800,000 tons of quarried concrete armor units (dolosse), comprise the protective structure which offers protection of the land from the ocean. Environmental control parameters established prior to and during design were monitored throughout the construction period. Well planned and properly utilized, totally confined areas to contain the dredged coral materials, and continuous monitoring of water quality, proved effective in limiting and confining adverse environmental effects to the project site. Hawaii's offshore runway will bring long-needed noise abatement and increased safety to downtown areas of Honolulu and its suburbs.

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