01662963

Component

Aircraft Arresting Systems (AAS) for military applications utilize a cable stretched across the runway. This cable will cause damage to the airfield pavement. Sacrificial panels made of Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene are embedded into the pavement beneath the AAS cable to protect the pavement. Due to the very low free surface energy of UHMW polyethylene, it is very difficult for joint sealant to adhere to the panels and effectively seal the joints from water and debris. A laboratory and field study was conducted to find improvements to the currently recommended joint design for UHMW panels. The study evaluated four joint sealant materials, eight alternative surface treatment and preparation techniques to promote adhesion to UHMW polyethylene, and seven joint edge geometries. Bond strength testing of joint sealant specimens was conducted in the laboratory followed by field evaluation of construction techniques. Field performance of the joint systems was monitored for 14 months after installation. Results of the study indicated that self-leveling silicone joint sealant was the best material to use in combination with a silane-based primer to promote adhesion or use of a dovetail groove cut into the edge of UHMW panels to provide positive mechanical interlock.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AV070 Standing Committee on Aircraft/Airport Compatibility.

18-06608

English

7p

2018

Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Photos; References; Tables

Adhesion; Airport runways; Bond strength (Materials); Field tests; Joint sealers; Laboratory tests; Silane; Silicones

Aircraft arresting systems; Grooving; Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene panels

Aviation; Pavements

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2018 Paper #18-06608

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 8 2018 11:42AM