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An Airfield Pavement Consultant System (AIRPACS) for Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements

by Wayne J. Seiler, US Air Force Inst of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, United States,
Michael I. Darter, US Air Force Inst of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, United States,
James H. Garrett, Jr., US Air Force Inst of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Aircraft/Pavement Interaction: An Integrated System

Abstract:

Airfield pavement knowledge captured by this research showed that knowledge-based techniques can be used to quickly select and design rehabilitation alternatives for a runway, taxiway or an apron. The AIRfield PAvement Consultant System (AIRPACS) uses the knowledge of planners, constructors, airfield managers and designers to solve difficult jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) design problems. This expert system focuses on aircraft safety and pavement structural capacity which are key issues for all pavement design participants. During the validation tests, AIRPACS recommendations compared favorably to results that were obtained using current empirical and mechanistic design procedures. AIRPACS applies the knowledge of pavement design participants to specific airfield information to perform rehabilitation designs. An expert's heuristics and knowledge are represented using rules; airfield information is represented using collections of objects with attributes. Airfield objects have been grouped into classes such as aircraft, JPCP components, JPCP distresses, climate regions and JPCP repairs. This object-based representation of the airport environment makes it easy to understand the rules in AIRPACS which represent an expert's problem solving knowledge. AIRPACS uses design expertise to select feasible rehabilitation alternatives for a specific pavement section. Routine maintenance, restoration, safety enhancing overlays and structural improvements are considered in the initial assessment of the pavement facilities on the airfield. If a structural improvement is required, AIRPACS reviews pavement evaluation results and the airport environment to decide if reconstruction, or one of several overlay types, is feasible. Mechanistic, heuristic and empirical design methods are then used to select new JPCP and asphalt concrete structural layer thicknesses, joint types and joint spacings.

Subject Headings: Airport and airfield pavements | Pavement design | Concrete pavements | Rehabilitation | Expert systems | Asphalt pavements | Airports and airfields

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