Diseño de pavimento flexible con uso de geomallas en la pista del aeropuerto Mariscal La Mar mediante los métodos de la AASHTO y la FAA

Abstract

In the design of an airport pavement structure, traffic data and mechanical properties of the materials are involved, allowing for better modeling of the acting loads and required resistances in the pavement. This thesis presents the design of a flexible pavement for the runway of Mariscal La Mar Airport in the city of Cuenca, applying the AASHTO and FAA methodologies, considering the incorporation of a biaxial geogrid. The main objective is to determine the best pavement design option in economic and structural terms. The work focuses on detailing the fundamentals of the AASHTO and FAA design theory, gathering technical information about Mariscal La Mar Airport, and comparing the different proposed solutions. To evaluate the susceptibility of the variables, 144 designs were made, varying parameters such as air traffic growth and subgrade quality, to determine the effect of these variables on the design results. The results indicate that using the FAA methodology on a reinforced pavement achieves better structural performance and reduces the structure thickness by 5% compared to the AASHTO methodology. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that the use of a geogrid in the structure of an airport pavement improves structural performance. This study provides a basis for future research and practical applications in the field of airport pavement design reinforced with geogrids.