Due to the high safety requirements and number of operations that an airport pavement demands, it is necessary to establish a maintenance frequency, including the reinforcement of the asphalt layer, to guarantee adequate comfort and operating conditions for aircraft.

Avión Cathay Pacific despegando pista aeropuerto montañas bosque

Photograph 1. Image bank

Solution:

At Matecaña airport, in order to perform reliable and durable maintenance, a geogrid was implemented. FORTGRID ASPHALT in the routine maintenance work carried out in 2024. This reinforcement of the asphalt layer is proposed to control the reflection of existing cracks in the existing structure towards the new asphalt overlay, extending the intervals between periodic maintenance as shown in Figure 1, thus increasing the useful life of the structure.

Figura 1. Extensión de los intervalos entre mantenimientos periódicos

Figure 1. Extending intervals between periodic maintenance

 

The geogrid FORTGRID ASPHALT reinforces the bottom plane of the new asphalt overlay, allowing direct contact of the materials through their openings, thus structurally binding and reinforcing the asphalt layers. This effect redirects the shear stress path and distributes the stress over a larger mass of material, as shown in Figure 2.

Comparativa geomallas FORTGRID ASPHALT refuerzo pavimento asfáltico

Contribution of FORTGRID ASPHALT geogrids to prevent the propagation of discontinuities in asphalt layers.

 

Their higher resistance to cyclic loading and lower damage during installation allow significantly extended service life periods compared to fiberglass geogrids while retaining their mechanical competence until the end of service life. In addition, their balance between open area and strength offers a high shear strength at the interface, which ensures that the expected results are achieved.

They can be installed on any type of surface, as long as the adherence of the geogrid is guaranteed. For this purpose, the amount of bonding agent is determined by means of an in situ adhesion test, varying the amount of asphalt binder. Generally, in the case of fast-breaking asphalt emulsions, the breaking time and the optimum dosage is determined, which will be the one with a tear-off strength greater than or equal to 5.0 kg/m2 .2.

PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD

Obra de pavimentación nocturna con asfalto fresco y maquinaria

Photograph 2. Application of the bonded irrigation for geogrid installation.

 

Trabajadores de construcción en pista de aeropuerto nocturna iluminada

Photograph 3. Extending the geogrid.

 

Obreros en obras de pavimentación nocturna de carretera

Photograph 4. Fixing the geogrid.

 

Rodillo compactador naranja trabajando en carretera nocturna

Photograph 5. Compaction of the geogrid.

 

Obra de asfaltado nocturna en carretera con iluminación artificial

Photograph 6. Geogrid completely adhered to the surface

 

Obra nocturna de asfaltado en pista de aeropuerto

Photograph 7. Final cleaning for installation of the new asphalt mix.